Can Heartworms in Dogs Be Cured?

Heartworm disease is serious and can cause damage to your pet’s organs, particularly to its heart and lungs. It sounds terrifying but worry not because this disease is curable. With the help of a veterinarian, your furry companion can be healthy again.

Testing for Heartworms

Not all dogs with heartworm disease show symptoms. You may not see any signs of the disease if the dog is inactive, has a low worm burden, or has just been infected. It is why it’s vital to have your furry friend tested for heartworms, ideally when they reach seven months and then every 12 months. It is even crucial to have the test done if you notice the following symptoms:

• Tiredness after moderate activity.
• Occasional cough (for mild cases).
• A persistent cough (for severe cases).
• Trouble breathing.
• Caval syndrome.

There are two types of tests that veterinarians perform to check a dog for heartworm – the antigen test and the microfilariae test. The former detects antigens, the proteins an adult female heartworm releases in your dog’s bloodstream. On the other hand, the latter spots the presence of microfilariae produced by adult heartworms.

Heartworm Treatment

If the tests are positive, do not panic because the disease can still be treated. But you have to be prepared because the process will not be easy. Many things should be done before the vet can provide your dog with the medication for the disease.

Restrict Physical Activities

Physical activities hasten the organ damage caused by heartworms. So, you will have to limit your dog’s movements. The more severe the condition, the less action your canine companion should have. Although challenging, especially with active dogs, restricting activities is crucial.

Stabilizing the Dog’s Condition

As mentioned above, heartworms can result in other health conditions. Before administering the drugs, the dogs’ condition should be stable. You need to address any other issues, and it can take months.

Regarding medication, there are two options: Melarsomine dihydrochloride and Advantage Multi for Dog. Melarsomine dihydrochloride is an arsenic-containing drug that kills adult heartworms. Your vet will inject it into your dog’s muscles. On the other hand, Advantage Multi for Dog eliminates microfilariae. It is applied to your dog’s skin.

Heartworm disease typically does not get cured after a single injection. A series of injections are needed, and sometimes, the dog needs to be hospitalized. All this could get expensive. In addition, the medication can cause serious health complications.

Prevention Is Better Than Cure

Dogs can get heartworms after being bitten by a microfilariae-infected mosquito. Protecting your pet from mosquito bites could be difficult, but there are ways to prevent the parasitic worms from causing havoc in your dog’s health. Many FDA-approved products are available for avoiding heartworms – just ask your veterinarian for a prescription. Some can be given as an oral tablet or a topical liquid applied on the skin.

Heartworm prevention is easier and cheaper than its treatment. Even if your dog looks fine, still have it tested for the disease every year. Not only can you protect your dog, but you can also avoid costly and possibly stressful treatment procedures.

For more on heartworm treatment on dogs, visit Dr. Mike’s Affordable Vet Care office in Arlington, Texas. To schedule an appointment, call (817) 663-8160.