I just got him through a friend and took him for a check-up. The treatments are harsh and expensive. The test was faintly (+) which means he just got it. Is there a chance the heartworm pill may do the trick? He has a 6-months supply, the vet says it may help, but still recommends the treatment. Has anyone had any experience with this? I just want to know what are his chances of survival without the treatment and just taking the pills. He is a hyperative, 3 yr. old Jack Russell Terrier. Thanks.
2007-02-12 06:07:33 · 24 answers · asked by Lucy-Lu 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Without the pills or the treatment you will lose the dog.
Go for what you can afford, because even the treatment is no guarantee, but your chances are better now with the treatment than it is without.
Man, bum deal. I wonder if the friend knew before he or she gave the dog to you. Even so I would think you would want to approach them about some equitable sharing of the bill.
2007-02-12 06:21:18 · answer #1 · answered by thankyou "iana" 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had a similar experience with my dog. I adopted him from a shelter and the test wasn't positive for heartworms in the shelter and it didn't show up until his next annual visit, despite being on heartworm medication the entire time. (The tests may not show positive for up to 6 months after the dog is infected.) Your friend probably didn't know your dog had heartworms.
The new heartworm pills used now may actually stave off heartworms for a period of time, but they won't cure them. (Old kinds were dangerous for dogs already testing positive.)
We did the treatment with my guy, and today you'd never know he'd ailed a minute. It is fairly expensive, but I have AmeriPlan for pets and it dramatically reduced the cost. (It's a discount plan only available in Texas. They have dental care, etc. for humans all over the US but the vet care is only in Texas.)
The treatment is painful for the dog, but mine recovered beautifully and hasn't been sick a bit since. Because you've caught it early your dog has a great chance for a long, happy life after treatment.
It is a very sad thing to watch a dog suffer from heart worms. They gradually grow weaker and weaker and ultimately die. I encourage you to consider the treatment.
The dog will not need to be on treatment for the rest of his life- he'll only have to take heartworm preventive. These are given in either daily or monthly pills or shots. I give the monthly pills because my dogs love them. They're a treat for these guys.
2007-02-20 05:13:13 · answer #2 · answered by Behaviorist 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My puppy had heartworm when I got her and we gave her the treatment and she's 11 now. So sorry to hear about your dog, but if you don't treat her, she will die. The pills come after the treatment, they will do nothing for the dog if she already has the heartworm. The treatment is harsh, but pups have a lot of fight in them, she'll be fine, just get the treatment. It's when the older dogs get heartworm, they take a risk getting the treatment because they're old. Money isn't everything, but your dog thinks you are everything!
2007-02-19 06:12:34 · answer #3 · answered by Lucy 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My brothers siberian husky had heart worms many years ago and had the treatment and survived. Get the treatments if that is what the vet recommends. Ask them about making payments. Most vet's just want to do what is right for the dog and will help you out.
If you decide to try the pills, don't wait to long before you have the dog checked again.
Try going to a different vet if you think the one you have been to is too expensive or you aren't happy with him.
2007-02-12 06:44:46 · answer #4 · answered by sherirenee1954 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm sorry...I don't really know the pup's prognosis, but bless your heart!
Did the vet say the monthly pills would maybe eventually get him over it? Here's the deal...if the pills don't eventually knock them out, then your dog may eventually be overtaken by the worms.
I can totally understand not being able to afford the treatment too though. All I can say is if you decide not to do the treatment, to just be educated on the signs of your dog becoming sick with the worms and to have it in your mind how far you will let that go. Then the responsible thing to do would be to end his suffering. I'm not sure how long of a relatively healthy and happy time you might get to share without the treatment, but if the pills don't get him over it then he may eventually die from it.
Some decisions about our pets are so hard. I know. Sick times and end times are inevitable. But so are kisses and tail wags!
Good luck!
2007-02-12 06:26:52 · answer #5 · answered by notsureifimshy 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Go for the treatment. When you got the dog, you took on the responsibility of his care, and that means properly treating his heartworm. His best chance of survival is to get treatment as early as possible. The longer you wait and experiment with the pills, the less likely it is that he will survive.
The dog deserves better than for you to gamble with his life just to save a few bucks.
2007-02-12 07:33:45 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
If there is a low cost clinic in your area, you may be able to get treatment for a lot less. It depends on the extent of the treatment and the weight of the dog. A Jack Russell is not very heavy, so it shouldn't be too expensive. I just had my dog done (28 pounds) at a low cost clinic and it cost $89.00.
You definately need to have it done.
2007-02-12 06:47:24 · answer #7 · answered by DeeGee 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Heart worms are fatal. The best thing to do is get the treatment. There's no way that the preventatives can gaurantee anything, but the treatment will work. If you let it get too bad it won't be treatable. You can get a pet credit card to pay for the vet bills, thats what we had to do when one of our dogs boke his leg. Good luck!
2007-02-19 14:03:27 · answer #8 · answered by Kaitlyn S 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The longer you wait to get the treatment, the less likely it becomes that it will save the dog. The pills are a preventative and although they have been known to help they are not always successful.
This type of incident is a great reason to have pet insurance.
2007-02-18 03:22:59 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Go for the treatment...heart worms are fatal and it's best to get the treatment. Maybe your vet will make a payment arrangement with you whereas you can pay so much monthly until the cost is covered
2007-02-12 06:14:59 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋