Heartworm Treatment For Dogs

This site sets out to provide you with all the information you need on heartworm treatment, we provide information on how the disease is spread, prevention, symptoms, Immiticide and possible side effects, after care and latest news on the disease and treatment.

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Has Your Dog Tested Heartworm Positive?

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. Continue reading →

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Immiticide Treatment and Side Effects

Immiticide is the only drug which has approval from the FDA for the treatment of heartworm in dogs.

Another name for Immiticide is Melarsomine. This drug should not be confused with the heartworm preventative medicines given to dogs.

It is only effective against adult heartworms, it does not affect the immature larvae which are killed by the preventative medicines and it MUST be administered by a vet.

Although Immiticide is a drug based on the poison, arsenic, it is much, much safer than the previous treatments with arsenic and unlike previous treatments, does not cause toxicosis (which is just another way of saying that it does not cause illness due to poisoning). However, this drug is not approved for any other animal than dogs and is not approved for human use.

If your dog is in need of Immiticide treatment, you may already be aware of the current Immiticide shortage in the United States, to read more, please use the link to visit our article about this.

What are the possible side effects?

Immiticide heartworm treatment for dogsWhilst, as stated above, this drug is a great deal safer than its predecessors, it does have some side effects, the most common of which is the blockage of blood vessels caused by dead worms getting carried along in the dog’s bloodstream. A blockage of this type is called a thromboembolus and when more than one is formed, they are called thromboemboli. Because of where the adult heartworms lodge, in the heart and the arteries around it, these thromboemboli are likely to form in the lungs (pulmonary thromboemboli) as dead worms get carried away from the heart – and can prove fatal.

Other side effects are not so serious and include pain and swelling where the injection of the drug has been administered, general malaise including fever and lethargy, loss of appetite and a cough. Continue reading →

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White Worms In Dog Feces

If you have found white worms in dog feces (faeces) from your dog, these are almost certain to be roundworms. They can be up to around 20 cm in length and look spaghetti-like and coiled up (sorry, if you are a pasta lover!). You can read a full article on roundworms in dogs here. White worms in dog feces should be taken very seriously as Toxocara Canis (the type of roundworm that affects dogs) as well as the types that affect cats can be passed to people.

Children are the most likely to be affected because the worm eggs which are passed out in the feces, contaminate the soil and get picked up on children’s hands in the normal rough and tumble of play and it is easy for them to be transmitted to the mouth and swallowed.

blindness caused by roundwormsOnce inside the body the worms hatch out and move around. Not only can they cause blindness when they migrate to the eyes, but there is also research that has implicated Toxicariasis (infection with roundworms) in epilepsy, particularly in children under five years of age.

You can read more information in this article on Toxicariasis on Wikipedia. Continue reading →

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Why Is A Heartworm Test Required Before Routine Surgery?

Whether a veterinarian will require your dog to have a heartworm test before routine surgery such as spaying or neutering, depends on where you live.

In the USA, many states have a low incidence of heart worms compared to high-incidence states such as Florida. However, according to the American Heartworm Society (AHS), incidence of adult worms is increasing in all areas of the United States.

Due to the high incidence of heart worms, veterinarians include a parasite test in their protocol for pre-surgery laboratory testing.

Why Pay The Extra Cost of a Heartworm Test?

Spaying or neutering is a routine procedure that typically has few complications. However, if a dog has heart worms, any routine procedure has the potential to be life threatening or to cause serious complications. The initial screen may cost $15 to $30 and is well worth the investment to prevent putting your dog at risk for complications. Veterinarian fees vary significantly, and many people have reported fees as high as $45 for the initial test.

heartworm test before routine surgery

A heartworm test may be required before routine surgery such as spaying or neutering

Regardless of the fee, a heartworm test is worth the price to ensure your dog’s spaying or neutering surgery is successful and without complications. This also applies to any routine surgery your pet might need

If your dog is on preventative heartworm medicine, it is unlikely that he or she will test positive. Even though your pet is on preventative heartworm medicine for dogs, your pet can still be infected with adult worms if you missed the treatment schedule.

Without diligent preventative treatment, it is possible for a pet to become infected. Although it is unlikely, it does happen on occasion. It is crucial for a responsible veterinarian to circumvent any potential problems before ANY surgery.

A Heartworm Test Can Identify Potential Dangers During Surgery

dog being examinedThe damage that adult worms cause is significant. The extent of the damage will depend on how long a dog has suffered with the infection. If a dog has a current infection that has not been diagnosed, even a routine surgery can be dangerous. The adult parasites attach to tissue in the heart in addition to damaging pulmonary arteries. This makes it more difficult for the heart to pump blood to the rest of the body including the lungs. Since arteries are sustaining continuous damage, blood clots begin to form. Arteries become dilated and restrict normal blood flow. Continue reading →

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The Diabetic Dog, Recognizing Symptoms of Diabetes in Dogs

This article sets out to help pet owners to recognize the symptoms of diabetes in dogs and to understand about the differences between the two types of the disease.

Diabetes is a disease that is prevalent in many countries in Europe and in the United States. While most people associate this disease with humans, it is also a common disease among dogs. Just like their human counterparts, a diabetic dog requires special care including diet, medication and insulin injections. This is a life threatening disease to both humans and dogs.

Sadly, this is a disease which is difficult for pet owners to detect. This has to do with the lack of knowledge about the disease, and very few pet owners realize their beloved pet may be susceptible to the disease. Dogs are susceptible to both diabetes mellitus and diabetes insipidus (please see the end of this article for description and explanation of both types).

Symptoms of Diabetes in Dogs

1. Lethargic behavior

symptoms of diabetes in dogs

Lethargic behavior is a common symptom

This is a common symptom of many illnesses including diabetes. If your pet appears weak or tired, it is important to seek veterinarian care immediately. Lethargic behavior is a clear sign that an animal may be ill.

2. Consuming an excessive amount of water
Due to an increase in sugar levels in the blood, a dog will consume and excessive amount of water because the sugar cannot be metabolized properly. If your pet is drinking more water than normal, it is likely he will be diagnosed as diabetic. If your pet has reached this point, it is critical to seek veterinarian care. If sugar levels are too high, it can result in death.

3. Urination frequency or increase in amount of urine
Naturally, if your dog is drinking more water, he or she will urinate more frequently. Increased water consumption and urination are signs your pet is ill. While these two symptoms are not always an indication of being diabetic, it is likely your dog is suffering from this disease.

4. Weight loss or weight gain
Weight gain is a symptom of lethargy. As your pet’s activity decreases due to feeling weak or tired, your pet may experience an increase in weight gain. In many cases, a dog may lose its appetite and experience weight loss. Gaining or losing weight unexpectedly is a symptom of many other diseases. However, in combination with other symptoms, it may be a sign that your pet has become diabetic.

diabetic dog foodTop Tip:

If your diabetic dog needs a special diet, you can save a lot of money buying what you need from Amazon and having it delivered to your door.

There is a range of products in the special diet section – so you can keep your pet healthy for less!

Diabetic Diet For Dogs

Continue reading →

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Alternative Heart Worm Treatments HeartWorm Free (HWF)

It is a natural reaction of any dog owner when faced with the worrying reality of having to have their beloved pet treated for a heartworm infection, to wonder whether having their dog injected with the powerful drug, Immiticide, is really the right way to go and whether there is another alternative.

This may be one of the reasons why a treatment called HeartWorm Free (HWF) is getting a lot of publicity on the internet and we decided to research this product for ourselves. We have published our findings here, presenting the facts for you. We would welcome your comments and personal experiences, both positive and negative if you have used this treatment for your dog.

Ultimately, prevention is the best medicine. Sadly, many pet owners face the difficult decision to treat their pets for a heartworm infestation. To date, there have been only two drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The first drug approved by the FDA was Caparsolate Sodium. This drug is no longer manufactured or used in the United States. Immiticide is the second drug that has been approved by the FDA, and it has a proven record to be safe and effective.

While there is a trend to use natural herbal treatments to prevent heartworm infection, there is a strong trend to use natural remedies to treat a heartworm infestation. None of these treatments are FDA approved, nor are any of these treatments approved by the American Heartworm Society.

The manufacturer of HeartwormFree (HWF) claims it is effective for the following:

  • Repel and prevent parasitic infection
  • Anti-Microbial
  • Improves blood flow and circulation
  • Promotes healthy kidney function
  • Controls coughing
  • Supports heart function
  • Cleanses the blood vessels of parasites

The following is the list of ingredients contained in HWF:

Garlic, Black Seed, Licorice, Hawthorn, Hops, Sorrel , Apricot Pits, Grapefruit Seed Extract, Flavorings, Alcohol,Distilled Water Continue reading →

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Understanding Heartworm Test Results

As a pet owner it is devastating to find out your dog is infected with heartworms. This article sets out to help you understand heartworm test results and also to explain why some dogs still test positive after undergoing treatment. If this is a worry for you, please read on as understanding the mechanics of heart worm testing will help you understand why this may sometimes happen.

With any type of laboratory testing, certain conditions may exist that will cause laboratory tests to fail. In many cases, test results can indicate a false positive or false negative result.

This is true for human and animal laboratory testing. However, these false results are rare. False results typically occur due to human error in testing such as improperly following manufacturer guidelines, or the specimen is contaminated.

Veterinarians follow strict protocols for testing. In fact, most veterinarians will request an X-ray if a dog tests positive as this helps confirm initial test results.

Currently, the most accurate heartworm test for dogs is the antigen test. The test will detect the presence of specific antigens of the adult female worms. Most of these tests will detect the antigens of female worms that are at least seven or eight months old. If the worms are less than five or six months old, the antigen test may indicate a negative result. In addition, if the dog is infected with larvae (baby heart worms); the antigen test may be negative. However, as the worms mature, your dog may test positive in the future. If you would like to read more about antigen testing, use the link to visit an article on the American Heartworm Society web site.

microfilaria in blood

microfilaria (heartworm larva) in blood sample

Many veterinarians use a pre-screening test to detect larvae in the dog’s blood. The dog’s blood is smeared on a glass slide and viewed under a microscope. Your dog may test positive for larvae but the antigen test may be negative. Larvae may be detected in the blood, however due to the life cycle of the worms, they may not be mature enough for the test to be able to detect the antigens. If your dog is positive for larvae, your veterinarian will recommend re-testing in six or seven months. At this point, the adult worms will be mature enough to be detected by the antigen test. If at this time the dog tests positive, your veterinarian will probably request an X-ray to confirm the infection. Once confirmed, your veterinarian will determine if your pet is a candidate for heart worm treatment.

My Dog’s Heartworm Test is Still Positive After Treatment!

heartworm test for dogsOnce your pet has undergone treatment, another antigen test will be performed. It is possible the test will be positive. However, this does not mean the treatment was unsuccessful. The current Immiticide treatment for heartworms has a high success rate.

The problem with the antigen test is it does not determine whether live adult worms are still present. It can only detect the antigens and these may be present in the blood stream for 9 to 12 months after treatment. Continue reading →

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