whatis the cure for heartworms in dogs.the vet gave me this diagnosis?

Question

my dog is only 2 years old and i would hate to put her down

Answer 1

There is no reason to put her down. The cure is harsh, expensive but good. It costs about $400 and they will give him a poison that will kill the heartworms. I don't think the poison is too harmful to the dog, but the dead heartworms are a problem. So you have to keep the dog fairly calm and quiet, so that he does not exert himself and get clogging problems from the dead worms. The dog's immune system can slowly process the worms, but it takes a few weeks. Talk ot the vet about the cure.

If you cannont afford it, talk to the vet about time paments, to the SPCA, Humane society, and others about some help.

Answer 2

Hanksimon is right. I adopted a dog several years back that heartworms, she was 1 at the time. She went through the treatment at the vet's office and is still alive and well today.

The normal stay at the vet is about 3 days and the cost is around $400.

I have another dog I just adopted that also has heartworms. He is 2 years old and will be going through the treatment in a couple of months. The treatment is rough but most vets will keep the dog a few days while they're giving the meds.

By the way, I gave my Noni Juice when she come home. It's an alternative medicine that is suppose to boost the immune system of the dog. - just a little extra to help out.

Anyway, I'm sure your dog will be fine, as will mine.

Answer 3

Yes, dogs can be treated and cured of heartworm infestation. Your dog is young and if she is healthy other than the heartworms, there is a very good chance she will pull thru the treatment and return to a normal life after rest and recovery time. Your Vet should discuss that with you. If the cost is prohibitive, shop around because Vets can have very different prices. Some will allow you to make payments.
If the dog is not treated, the heartworms will continue to worsen and complications can be much worse. Your Vet should have discussed treatment options with you or discussed why treatment would not be recommended. Ask your Vet about this. Maybe there was some sort of miscommunication.

Answer 4

If your vet gave you the diagnosis, why didn't he tell you about the treatment required?

If the dog tests "positive", that means the dog already has heartworms, and it will have to go through a very rigorous regiment of treatment, which will include having the dog stay overnight at the vets for several days while it's given "posion" to kill the heartworms, and then about a month of isolation and inactivity while the body pushes the dead worms out and/or absorbs them. The vet will probably want to take some xray or sonagram images of the dog's heart and lungs to make sure the valves of the heart haven't swollen and that there isn't any fluid collecting in the lungs. (One of the symptoms of heartworms is a "soft cough".) Your vet can give you more details. Treatment can be pricey; that's why prevention is such a good idea.

We recently put one of the dogs in our shelter through the treatment and she came through it just fine. Most dogs do well as long as you follow the vet's instructions...

... But since your vet apparently didn't give you any instructions, we suggest that you go to another vet; one that actually cares about you and your dog.

Answer 5

Injections of a poison to kill the worms. It can be hard on the dogs system, so a good work up like blood tests and xrays are important to make sure he is in the best health possible before going through it. Most vets use what is called a "slow kill". One shot now, and 2 shots in a month. Easier on the dog and less side effects. A month of complete rest following each treatment is critical. Then, follow up with a drug to kill circulating microfilaria (baby hearworms), then get him on prevention. A two year old dog should do fine. In 20 years I've only seen 2 dogs die from treatment (and I've probably helped in a couple of hundred), but they were already in bad shape and in heart failure. Your vet should tell you all of this and what to watch out for, and what medications the dog will need. It is not a simple answer.

Answer 6

HANKSIMON is right. The treatment is actually a form of arsnic. The animal has to remain calm during the recovery period because if the animal is active a worm may dislodge and can kill the animal. I know this is harsh because we all love our pets, but it is the unfortunate truth. If your vet is good he/she will gladly take payments. If not, find another vet. Also if you do decide on treatment please be sure that someone is with your dog to help keep it from exerting itself after treatment. Animals do not instinctively know this. They know that running is their life and their fun and they need someone there with them to help them thru this. It is a tremendous hardship not only on you but also on the pet. I don't know about injections of meds or shots other than the above. I live in the South and that is our only cure for nasty heartworms. I do recommend the treatment because your pet is so young. Just remember to be patient and understanding because your pet can't help what is happening. Depending on how badly your pet is infected, he/she may also need to be put on some sort of steriod after the treatment and may develop a cough after running. The steriod helps to control this. Usually it is Prednisone that vets use. Good luck and I hope everything works out well for both of you

Answer 7

The biggest question is how long your dog has had heart worms. Please have your vet perform an ultrasound or X-Ray to see how advanced the problem is. Between you and I: As long as the heart worms are still in the early stages where there is no risk of holes in her heart there is a natural solution. Fresh Garlic cloves. I know it is hard to believe, however have you ever heard of a human with heart worms? No because of what we eat. It makes the blood toxic for the worms and larva. Every meal time, preferably wet food either moist dry food or canned, crush a small clove of garlic into her food. There is no set amount of time to do this. I suggest you do this until the heat worm test comes back negative and trust me it will. I have had friends who have had the same dilemma. If the condition is worse than this there is the expensive option of medicinal treatment through the vet and it is risky.
I pray all goes well for you. Please remember the faster you act on this the better.
Andrea

Answer 8

Is Heartworm Curable In Dogs

Answer 9

Below is the text of an article from the website referenced below...it can be done and survivied...I had a dog a long time ago who went thru the treatment ...it took a long time for him to get thru it and then get his strength back...but he did..and he did very well.



In dogs, heartworm disease can be treated, but treatment can result in fatal complications. The adult worms are killed by injections of arsenic-containing compounds. The treatment must be done carefully to avoid drug toxicity or complications resulting from the dead or dying worms.

These complications can occur when the dead or dying worms obstruct blood vessels to the lungs. Dogs must be hospitalized during treatments and must be kept quiet (cage rest) for at least four weeks after treatment. The treatment will kill the adult worms, but damage already done to the heart and lungs will remain. In severe cases, the worms may need to be surgically removed from the heart.

Answer 10

It is 2 days of IV treatments two times a day with a solution of aresenic in it to kill the worms.Then the dog has to stay quiet for at least 2 weeks to allow the dead worms to pass from his system. He will take medicine during that time. At 2, it would be a good idea to have treatment as long as his heart hasn't been compromised too much.