Was just told my dog in early stages of it. What exactly happens when your dog is at the vet's office for 3 days for treatment? Do you need to do anything special for the dog once back home? Is $650 a high price? Vet did not explain much, thinking of going elsewhere for a 2nd opinion!
2007-03-28 10:59:40 · 5 answers · asked by JCT27 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
I had a cocker spaniel with heart worms. They give them a poison...It will kill the heart worms but could also kill the dog. When you bring him home they will tell you to try to keep the dog from being to active...CRATE is great for this.They may not eat good.they will usually loose weight. ( mine gained 9 lbs. ) But all in all,he lived and that is what matters.Mine did just fine....$650.00 probably is right. Back some 15 years ago it was $400.00 for mine so i guess it went up but you could shop around.Just dont wait to long...Your dog needs treatment.
2007-03-28 11:25:54 · answer #1 · answered by Dixie 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to keep the dog calm when it returns. I have read where the dead heartworms can go to the heart and kill the dog if it becomes excited. Carrying kennels are good to keep a dog from running and barking. I would take him outside on a lead (leash).
There is a holistic method that is much cheaper BUT you can't skip days. There is both a holistic method for heartworm prevention and also for the removal of heartworms. It is not as hard on your dog's system and is a lot cheaper. But you have to be diligent about treating your dog and have the dog retested (blood test) after treatment to make sure there are no heartworm larva left.
As far as the vet's price... yes, it is always expensive. This is why it makes sense to use preventative heartworm care.
Since your dog has a light case now, I'd recommend the holistic treatment if you'll follow through each day. If the dog shows any signs of becoming worse or no improvement after several weeks then I'd go with the vet's treatment.
The holistic treatment is a long term treatment. So, make sure you have the time and patience. It is either poured over food or given in pill form. Several companies sale this. You can buy the ingredients yourself at health food stores but need to look the correct doses for your dog's weight up on the internet. Good luck.
2007-03-28 11:14:32 · answer #2 · answered by Im Listening 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My dog has never had heartworms but I had a friend that worked at a vets office and I know that they kill the worms somehow and you can't let the dog run around much because the dead worms can dislodge and clog the arteries, eventually they biodegrade and he can run around again. The procedure is expensive, so I guess $650 is no a high price. I do believe that they have to go back to the vet for follow up treatments as well. Good luck with your dog!!!
2007-03-28 11:07:13 · answer #3 · answered by braves, yankees & saints fan 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Definitely get a second opinion. Its not generally something to spend alot of time worrying about. If its in the 1st week or so of heart worm you can treat it with a monthly heart worm pill. This method isn't all vets method. The monthly pill will kill the heart worm relatively quick and the dog will never notice. The treatment is very hard on the dog, and they will have to stay very calm for several dogs. Unless it has had heart worm for 3+ weeks I would try the strong preventative for 6 months to a year.
2007-03-28 11:09:59 · answer #4 · answered by Jared S 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If you're going for a second opinion, do it now. Heartworm can kill your dog. After treatment, you MUST put you dog on heartworm pills to prevent it from happening again.
Please look at this link http://www.heartwormsociety.org/CanineHeartwormInfo.htm
2007-03-28 11:10:22 · answer #5 · answered by clarity 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋