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hlthe2b

(101,730 posts)
3. You can NOT treat yourself. Treatment is extensive and complicated and adult heartworms require
Sat Nov 6, 2021, 03:31 PM
Nov 2021

an intravenous injectable medication that requires a lot of caution. The ivermectin only kills the immature (microfilaria) and doxycycline helps with the lung inflammation along with steroids in many cases. The injectable adulticide is an arsenical compound and has to be closely monitored. Heartworm treatment requires several months to complete.

Seriously, just DON'T! I can't stress this enough.

I am assuming Snow is a dog. If it is a cat, there are additional issues that make your thought of self-treatment even more dangerous.


Do you want to see how complicated treatment is? Here is the 37 page guidelines from the American Heartworm Society for Canines. You would NOT be able to obtain (legally) most of the drugs required, much less be able to safely administer and have access to lab or radiographic screening that may end up necessary.
https://www.heartwormsociety.org/images/pdf/2018-AHS-Canine-Guidelines.pdf

TexasBushwhacker

(20,044 posts)
4. See a vet
Sat Nov 6, 2021, 03:35 PM
Nov 2021

Heartworms aren't anything to mess around with. Ivermectin is only good as a heartworm preventative, not a treatment. Doxy is only for treating infections caused by bacteria in the heartworms' gut.

SheltieLover

(57,073 posts)
5. Vet rxd doxy to kill parasite that lives on the heartworms
Sat Nov 6, 2021, 03:52 PM
Nov 2021

This is why preventative can be fatal without a test, per our vet.

Pittie boy showed up at my home 3+ yrs ago heartworm positive.

Please take Snow to vet. Do not attempt to treat this yourself!

Due to excessive cost ($800+) & dog's very high energy level, we are doing "slow kill" method.

This is 1 vet visit per year for a test, the initial rx of doxy & monthly heartworm preventative.

The more rapid treatment is a series of shots, some of which Snow would likely have to stay at vet hospital for.

Also, any excitability, playing, running, etc. can cause dying heartworms to fragment & go into lungs, which is fatal.

As such, this dog would have to be heavily sedated every day for 6+ months.

While the "slow kill" method might not be ideal, it's working out for us.

Got a great deal at Chewy,com on heartworm meds (they confirm with vet).

Please do this under the direction of your vet, whichever method you choose.

I've spoken with several people at the dog park who have had dogs HW+, used this slow kill method & dogs are said to have lived happy lives with normal life spans.

PXR-5

(522 posts)
6. We found a puppy
Sat Nov 6, 2021, 04:21 PM
Nov 2021

with heartworms, it was about 2k to cure her. She's now 14 years old, a sweetheart.

If I remember, it took 3 months of IV medicine, similar to arsenic. They told us she might not survive.

Ivermectin is the prevention, discontinue if she is positive and get to a vet ASAP!

AndyS

(14,559 posts)
8. Thanks all.
Sat Nov 6, 2021, 06:14 PM
Nov 2021

I have the advice of two vets, one a volunteer for Texas Coalition for Animal Protection and one for Bluebonnet Rescues. Given the options I will do the slow kill method as Snow shows no overt symptoms, is a fairly low energy animal and seems a prime candidate.

This ain't my first rodeo, folks. Been here before. The quick kill method is basically to inject the dog with arsenic to kill the adult worms. This level of toxin is risky in itself. Then sedate the dog for as long as it takes for the dead worms to dissolve and be absorbed instead of breaking apart and forming clots and embolisms in the lungs which is fatal. I've done this and trust me it's not ideal. Slow kill is to stop new infections with over the counter preventive (Heartguard will work) after a 30 day treatment with Doxycycline to kill the bacteria that reside in the worms. I'm told that it also weakens the worms and slows their growth. Preventives do not kill the adult worms, they have to die of old age which takes year or so.

Yes, it is preferable to treat the adult worms but in the case of Snow I see it as a trade off; sedate the dog for up to three months and possibly lose her to embolism anyway or wait for the old worms to die and risk possible heart damage. With the slow kill approach she can have the short bursts of frenetic play with Jack while spending most of her life lying quietly watching the perimeter of her territory.

I've had two vets tell me that adulticide treatment is preferable but slow kill is a viable option. I don't know how long I'll have to foster her as the adoption alternatives are full but as long as I have her I can follow the protocol and have her tested every six months.

Wish us luck.

Progressive dog

(6,862 posts)
10. The ivermectin will not kill mature heart worms.
Sun Nov 7, 2021, 11:04 AM
Nov 2021

They will die over the several years of their life expectancy, meaning that the danger of the pieces traveling to the lungs and causing damage continues for years and you cannot keep a dog without exercise for years.
Ivermectin is not slow kill according to my vet or according to every credible source I can find. It is waiting for the heart worms to die of old age.
I spent a lot of time researching this while preparing my newly adopted dog for the vet recommended heart worm killing shots. After treatment, she is heart worm free. I could not imagine spending years wondering if this would be the day she would die from the dead worms or even continue to be unhealthy from a parasite continuing to live within her.

https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/animal-health-literacy/keep-worms-out-your-pets-heart-facts-about-heartworm-disease

TomSlick

(11,035 posts)
9. We had a dog survive heartworms years ago. It's treatable.
Sat Nov 6, 2021, 07:17 PM
Nov 2021

Vets know how to deal with this. Find a vet you trust, then trust your vet.

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