I am on the Board of Directors of Basset Hound Rescue of Georgia. We rescue between 175-200 basset per year. Up to 25% of those are heartworm positive, and need the heartworm "cure". We get this cure done, therefore, very routinely. In dogs with extremely heavy heartworm loads, we often wait a few weeks (to fatten them up a bit, they are usually quite skinny when they come from the shelters), and then do a "split treatment" - one treatment, followed by another one four weeks later). But for dogs who are otherwise in reasonably good health, we just do the one treatment.
After the treatment, it is important that the dog be kept quiet and calm for four weeks, as the heartworms die, break off into the bloodstream and are absorbed by the body tissues.
I will say that in all the years we've been treating for heartworm (since 1992), we have only had one die of complications from the treatment. So you can see that it's a pretty routine and safe procedure. And then, of course, when they are adopted out, the adoption contract states that they must be kept on monthly heartworm preventive for the rest of their lives. (as should ALL dogs who live in the southern states).
In much older dogs (10 or older), we will often go with the Heartguard-only treatment. It does kill the worms eventually, because they worms that are adult cannot produce babies (they get killed by the Heartguard), and the adult worms themselves only have a lifespan of about three years.
In sum, the treatment is fine to give them. I have to say (no offense intended), that I sometimes am a bit amused at how vets (and rescues, even) in the northern part of the country get so tense when they get a dog with heartworms. It's a big deal to them, because it's rarer up there, but honestly, it's just routine to us now. If you asked Looziana Basset Rescue (Louisiana) and Suncoast Basset Rescue (Florida), they'll tell you the same thing - 25-35% of all incoming rescue dogs are heartworm positive, and need the "cure".
By the way, Mere is absolutely right. Any *reputable* rescue group will have the dog's heartworms treated (cured) before they adopt them out. Except, as I noted above, in certain rare cases where the dog is much older. And in *that* case, any reputable rescue will disclose that to you and discuss it fully with you, up front. BHRG always lets potential adoptees know any health problems the dog had when it came to us, and how we treated it. We also do not let dogs be adopted until they are fully healthy (shots, neutered, wormed, and any other health conditions treated).
[ May 16, 2005, 09:15 PM: Message edited by: Menzie ]
