Heartworm treatment

dean1857 · 01-19-2012, 09:18 AM

Hi all,

I recently adopted a basset hound (about 5 or 6 years old) and he was heartworm positive. He started his treatment on Monday and the vet has him on a month of doxycycline, then an immiticide shot 30 days after the end of his doxycycline, followed up by 2 immiticide shots in a 24 hour period, about a month after his first immiticide shot.

Does anyone have experience with this routine? The vet said that he needs to be on "cage rest" for the whole time (in all about 6 months). I'm wondering with this breed and his calm temper is it necessary, especially during the doxycycline?

Thanks any help would be great!

Josh

Kirska · 01-19-2012, 09:28 AM

Anabelle went through this and she is calm enough that we really didn't have to worry about cage rest too much. Basically, no walks, no running, no excitement. Anything that gets their heart pumping too hard can cause their heart to stop because it's working in overdrive.

The immiticide shots are extremely painful for them. One side of Anabelle's back where the shot was done has a permanent bump from the ordeal. So be ready for a very unhappy hound when that happens.

Heartworm disease is fatal when not treated so it is necessary but it is not easy.

dean1857 · 01-19-2012, 09:56 AM

That's what I'm thinking about the cage rest. I'm definitely not taking him on long walks, only to go out and use the bathroom and get some fresh air. But he loves to just lay next to me and be petted. I could see the cage rest as necessary for labs and more playful dogs, but Davie is pretty restful already.

I'm not looking forward to the shots, everything I've read about them is that they're pretty painful. He'll be getting lots of treats that day

dean1857 · 01-19-2012, 10:09 AM

What is the average cost for the Immiticide shots?

Kirska · 01-19-2012, 10:39 AM

Anabelle's heartworm treatment was done free by the shelter we adopted her from, but from what I understand it is generally around $500 for the entire treatment.

The shots all come from the same company so they have a monopoly on the price.

houndmomma · 01-19-2012, 12:28 PM

I’m so sorry to hear about your pup – and the long road you have before you to recovery. It sounds like he’s very lucky to have you as his new mommy.

I know this doesn’t apply to your case since you just got him from a rescue – just posting for anyone that isn’t aware –

If you have proof of purchase of HEARTGARD Plus, use as directed and have a negative heartworm results annually though your vet – HEARTGARD pays all fees associated with removing the heartworm should your pup get it. I buy all my HEARTGARD from the vet so should one of them get it – I don’t get caught on a technicality – there’s no questions.

Slinging some healing drool your way to help speed up the recovery process…

Jen

bubbad · 01-19-2012, 12:50 PM

The reason for no activity is the medication is killing off the adult heartworms and if he has too much excitement the worms that come loose could block the arteries and cause him to have heart failure.

Kirska · 01-19-2012, 01:21 PM

You'll notice a lot of coughing too. Apparently some of the worms get expelled through the lungs.

Also, be wary that some irreversible damage has been done to the heart, so I would not push the dog too hard even after he is "better". We basically just give Anabelle some basic walking exercise, but we don't push her. So I wouldn't recommend signing up the dog for something like agility.

houndmomma · 01-19-2012, 01:37 PM

Wow – scary – I just did some searching on heart worm and the treatment and found this to be for me anyway – a good description in layman’s terms.

Please keep us posted on how the little guy is doing…

Jen~

Quote:

If your dog has tested positive for heart worm and you are facing the prospect of heartworm treatment, this article sets out to explain exactly what is involved for you and your dog.

The most effective treatment for a dog infected with heartworms is to inject an arsenic-based drug called Immiticide. This currently is the only medicine proven effective in killing the adult parasites lodged in the dog’s heart.

Dirofilaria immitis is the parasitic roundworm that causes heart worms in dogs and other animals. The larvae are passed from mosquitoes to dogs.

States with a tropical or humid climate are breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Heartworms are prevalent in these states. However, heartworm disease has now spread through all 50 states.

Immiticide
Immiticide is the only drug licenced by the FDA for the treatment of dogs who are infected with adult heart worms. The drug is injected in two sites in the hip area. The injection site will swell and will cause your dog discomfort. The first few days after injection, your dog may be lethargic and may have trouble walking. It is critical to avoid touching the injection site, as it is very painful for the dog. You may want to place your dog’s bed close to the door, so your dog will not have to walk far to go outside.

The Immiticide will kill any adult worms that have taken up residence in your dog’s heart. After the first injection, the following four to six weeks are particularly stressful for the dog and owner. The dog must be prevented from playing, running or getting excited. The dead worms are destroyed by the process of phagocytosis by phagocyte cells in the body.

The dead worms are expelled from the heart in small pieces. If a dog becomes too excited, the heart will pump harder and faster. Expelling the heartworms too rapidly may cause the dead worms to travel to the lungs. This can cause respiratory failure.

The second stage of heartworm treatment is to kill the worm larvae in the dog’s bloodstream. These are immature heart worms that if left untreated will lodge in the heart and grow into adults, causing serious damage to internal organs.

At this point, your veterinarian may allow you to increase your dog’s physical activity to light playing. However, after the second injection, your dog may not feel well for the first few days.

bubbad · 01-19-2012, 05:40 PM

Good Job Jen.

01-19-2012, 09:18 AM	#1 (permalink)
dean1857 Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 11	Heartworm treatment Hi all, I recently adopted a basset hound (about 5 or 6 years old) and he was heartworm positive. He started his treatment on Monday and the vet has him on a month of doxycycline, then an immiticide shot 30 days after the end of his doxycycline, followed up by 2 immiticide shots in a 24 hour period, about a month after his first immiticide shot. Does anyone have experience with this routine? The vet said that he needs to be on "cage rest" for the whole time (in all about 6 months). I'm wondering with this breed and his calm temper is it necessary, especially during the doxycycline? Thanks any help would be great! Josh

01-19-2012, 09:28 AM	#2 (permalink)
Kirska Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 932	Anabelle went through this and she is calm enough that we really didn't have to worry about cage rest too much. Basically, no walks, no running, no excitement. Anything that gets their heart pumping too hard can cause their heart to stop because it's working in overdrive. The immiticide shots are extremely painful for them. One side of Anabelle's back where the shot was done has a permanent bump from the ordeal. So be ready for a very unhappy hound when that happens. Heartworm disease is fatal when not treated so it is necessary but it is not easy. __________________ Mom to Anabelle and Lila, rescued ladies and Harley, Corgi/Beagle/Basset/?? mutt "Saving just one dog won't change the world, but it surely will change the world for that one dog." - Richard C. Call

01-19-2012, 10:09 AM	#4 (permalink)
dean1857 Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 11	Cost of Immiticide What is the average cost for the Immiticide shots?

01-19-2012, 10:39 AM	#5 (permalink)
Kirska Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 932	Anabelle's heartworm treatment was done free by the shelter we adopted her from, but from what I understand it is generally around $500 for the entire treatment. The shots all come from the same company so they have a monopoly on the price. __________________ Mom to Anabelle and Lila, rescued ladies and Harley, Corgi/Beagle/Basset/?? mutt "Saving just one dog won't change the world, but it surely will change the world for that one dog." - Richard C. Call

01-19-2012, 12:28 PM	#6 (permalink)
houndmomma Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Chicago Posts: 503	I’m so sorry to hear about your pup – and the long road you have before you to recovery. It sounds like he’s very lucky to have you as his new mommy. I know this doesn’t apply to your case since you just got him from a rescue – just posting for anyone that isn’t aware – If you have proof of purchase of HEARTGARD Plus, use as directed and have a negative heartworm results annually though your vet – HEARTGARD pays all fees associated with removing the heartworm should your pup get it. I buy all my HEARTGARD from the vet so should one of them get it – I don’t get caught on a technicality – there’s no questions. Slinging some healing drool your way to help speed up the recovery process… Jen __________________ Momma to Lucy age 12 ~ Basset Hound Momma to Rickie age 5 ~ Shi-Poo (don’t tell him though – he thinks he’s a hound dog) Momma to Mabel age -1 ~ Basset Hound Momma to Flash – RIP 2000 ~ 2011 – Gone in body but with me in spirit ~ You will live on forever in my heart baby ~ Je t'aime

01-19-2012, 09:56 AM	#3 (permalink)
dean1857 Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 11	That's what I'm thinking about the cage rest. I'm definitely not taking him on long walks, only to go out and use the bathroom and get some fresh air. But he loves to just lay next to me and be petted. I could see the cage rest as necessary for labs and more playful dogs, but Davie is pretty restful already. I'm not looking forward to the shots, everything I've read about them is that they're pretty painful. He'll be getting lots of treats that day

01-19-2012, 12:50 PM	#7 (permalink)
bubbad Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Boiling Springs,Pa Posts: 1,347	The reason for no activity is the medication is killing off the adult heartworms and if he has too much excitement the worms that come loose could block the arteries and cause him to have heart failure.

01-19-2012, 01:21 PM	#8 (permalink)
Kirska Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 932	You'll notice a lot of coughing too. Apparently some of the worms get expelled through the lungs. Also, be wary that some irreversible damage has been done to the heart, so I would not push the dog too hard even after he is "better". We basically just give Anabelle some basic walking exercise, but we don't push her. So I wouldn't recommend signing up the dog for something like agility. __________________ Mom to Anabelle and Lila, rescued ladies and Harley, Corgi/Beagle/Basset/?? mutt "Saving just one dog won't change the world, but it surely will change the world for that one dog." - Richard C. Call Last edited by Kirska; 01-19-2012 at 01:24 PM.

01-19-2012, 05:40 PM	#10 (permalink)
bubbad Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Boiling Springs,Pa Posts: 1,347	Good Job Jen.

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