Dog Heartworms - Heartworms in Dogs

[tony45347]

my dog was diagnosed last week and I just dropped him off to get treatment, he has to be there 2 days, Dr thinks we may have caught it early no symptoms, but he is an older dog 11.5 yrs. I've had him since he was a pup about a month after I moved into my home, he stuck with me thru some hard times, when I lost my job and my gf left me, it's hard to think about how someday he won't come home, it really breaks my heart. please be ok buddy.

[angrybirds957]

I dont know if somebody actually read my coment earlier but no need to reply now. He passed away 1 hour ago.

Dear Dumbo,

Rest in peace

[angrybirds957]

My Cocker Spaniel has heart worms. He

doesn't run anymore. He lost a lot of

weight. Did I take him to the vet on time?

Please reply!!!

I took him to the vet today btw

[TheBrindleBoxer]

If you are giving your dog preventative treatment monthly, then miss 2 - 3 months, then restart the treatment, is your dog in the clear? Or is it possible that your dog could've become infected within the 2 - 3 month lapse in treatment?

[doghealthproblems]

@TheBrindleBoxer It is definitely possible for your dog to have been infected with heartworms with a 2-3 month gap. Ivermectin (Heartgard or Iverhart) is the best one to use immediately after a gap and then monthly for the next 12 months. It has the best "reachback" and will make it less likely for your dog to get heartworms.

Thanks,

Sam

[alfamares0022]

hi, i was wondering i have a belgian malinois that is starting the heartworm treatment. I was wondering how worried i should be considering we are going to be adopting him soon, should we be looking for more current vet bills? Will he be more prone? Will his heart be affected forever once the worms are decomposing? Please, please help with this :/

[Marcus7339]

Hi,i have a pit bull terrier. recently she has been losing lots of energy daily and now she cant even stand up straight. does she have heartworms=(?

[alfamares0022]

@Marcus7339 go get her checked!!!!!!!!!! they can die from this

[Marcus7339]

@alfamares0022 thanks but shes ok now!

[code9146]

Hi. My dog is a labrador aged 13. Recently, he's been making haking noises almost as if he wants to be sick. Im also unsure whether his lack of energy and general 'laziness' is due to his old age or perhaps heartworms. Being a typical labrador, he still loves his food and has never lost his appetite.

if he does have heartworms, generally, do older dogs have a high success rate regarding treatment?

Thanks

[doghealthproblems]

@code9146 Yes, if it is caught early then the prognosis is much better and quite good. Thanks, Sam

[tigerlily7485]

@code9146  tickfever!

[erikacpht]

@ EGMAG - for the sake of people looking for information dont spread negative info like that. Its hurtful to people who are already worried about their pets.

Hi Dr. My Dog was just dx. I hope we're early enough to have them reabsorb well. My concern is my dog is excitable, he love to bark and loves to run. Any suggestions on how to keep a very active dog quiet for a whole month?

[erikacpht]

@ EGMAG - for the sake of people looking for information dont spread negative info like that. Its hurtful to people who are already worried about their pets.

Hi Dr. My Dog was just dx. I hope we're early enough to have them reabsorb well. My concern is my dog is excitable, he love to bark and loves to run. Any suggestions on how to keep a very active dog quiet for a whole month?

[EGMAG]

arsenic is a poison and most dogs suffer and die from treatments

[doghealthproblems]

@EGMAG Actually, the heartworm adulticide we use (Immiticide) has a much safer window than the previous adulticide that we used back in the 80s and earlier. In fact, I have never ever lost a heartworm positive dog to immiticide nor caparsolate toxicity (in 20 years of practice). Pure arsenic is toxic to most animals but immiticide while considered an arsenical is not the same thing. I appreciate the comment. Comments such as these allow one to dispel myths that are brought up. Thanks, Dr Sam

[EGMAG]

@doghealthproblems Thanks@EGMAG

[TumTum3000]

my dog just got positive but she isnt coughing not experiencing weight loss and shes happier as normal does that mean she has a strong heart or something?

[doghealthproblems]

@TumTum3000 It means that you have caught the disease early which is excellent!  Prognosis with treatment is much better.

[muntu1221]

I'm still crying because my dog is getting weaker from heart worms. The vet said to get her weight up before they give her shots, but she's not getting heavier. Please tell me what I should do.

[EGMAG]

@muntu1221

I thinks its like cancer . Most people can leave a lump alone and continue to live healthy and happy lives. with treatments they die much quicker. Insurance has given doctors a reason to be greedy.

[skywardjapan]

My dog just died a while ago because of heartworms...  :' (

[817goyo]

@skywardjapan did you try to treat his heart worms cause my dog just tested positive in heart worms

[skywardjapan]

@817goyo yes... but having an operation was too late...so i just gave her medicines to somehow extend her life.. but a week after her check-up, she died...

[Humberto4790]

Vets are lying people,my dog has heartworms and and he's 13 years old!They're not dangerous,unless your dog has a VERY VERY WEAK immune system.Almost every dog can get it.It's kinda impossible to not get them if you live near mosquitos.And the heartworm treatment is expensive and dangerous.

[doghealthproblems]

For a moment, I thought it would be better to delete this post but then I thought it is too important to not address. If you have a dog that tests positive for heartworms and your vet tells you he is going to die, and then he lives for years and years without treatment, you too might think your vet is a liar. The thing is that it is possible that a dog only have 6-10 worms on board, test positive and not die. This is not the usual case and most dogs have 50-100 worms and die untreated. Sam

[EGMAG]

@doghealthproblems

Use a lot of garlic pellets everyday to drive the worms to death they hate that stuff

[digitchaser]

My white Siberian Husky has a patch on top of his eye with no hair growing but the skin there looks, to me, larvae eating its way into my dogs bloodstream. Is it ok if I just wash that off?

[EGMAG]

@digitchaser

TRY different forms of warm herbal teabags compresses daily over doggies eye. Intermittent salves around the eye like hydro cortisone, menthol etc.do not get into the eyes; also will heal and kill off bacteria and larvae.

[StinkyGreenBud]

Man just found out my dog has heartworms and the vet telling me about the treatment and 80% of survival...But he has acute heartworm disease so survival could be better? Since there isn't many worms in his heart and all.

[funkycowboy]

I live were the winters are cold and the summer hot. I don't give my dog hear worm meds in the winter since mosquitoes are not around in the cold winter.

[animenerdx123]

can we get heartworms im just wondering

[doghealthproblems]

As far as I know, we do not get heartworm disease. Larva can be injected into our bodies by mosquitoes, however, and sometimes they form what are called "coin" lesions in our lungs which mimic cancer. One then has to undergo an invasive biopsy just to know that it is not cancer. Thanks, Sam

[tesskansas]

Thanks. The dog has now started treatment. He is a low-positive. Seems like he is only the 2nd dog ever for our very experienced veteran vets up here. Our vets push prevention - it seems to work up here in Northern Kansas.

[MrHollisterfresh305]

how do u stop heartworms without pills

[Humberto4790]

@doghealthproblems Is there a cheap way to remove heart worms?$897 is to much.

[tesskansas]

I just adopted a Great Pyrenses. I received a message that the dog tested heart worm positive.

This male is about 125# (underweight?), quite unactive, and has evidence of poor skin health.

I would like to know how extensive any damage might be already. How could this be determined.

We need to make a decision soon on what course of treatment to take, if any. The dog is still at the animal shelter. We would like to try to help him heal if it would not be too trying on the dog.

[doghealthproblems]

Heartworm disease is definitely worth treating because the prognosis can be very good. Xrays of the chest are the best way to see the severity of the disease. And most of the time, after treatment there are no long lasting effects once you get out 60 days.

[doghealthproblems]

There actually is another worm that is called a lungworm. Heartworms do actually cause a lot of issues with the lungs...

[porkchopsyum]

thanks for the help.

our dog may have this

is another name for this lung worm?

im only 12 and ive only been listening to the vets when i go with my mum & dad.

[mcvey79]

cool thanks for the info. how much does the treatment for heart worm cost?

[9winDuDown9]

In the thousands.