My dog has heart worm. Please answer—10 points.?
Tuesday, May 11th, 2010 at
2:26 pm
My dog has heart worm and she is going to the vet tomorrow. In order to kill the heart worm, they are going to have to inject her with arsenic (Main Ingredient in rat poison). The vet said that this process is risky. So my question is has anyone had there dog treated for heart worm and how were the results.. Please answer, i am worried sick! And i already payed 600 dollars, so there is no turning back..
Tagged with: answer10 • Heart • Please • points. • Worm
Filed under: Dog Worms Symptoms
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This is a really common procedure at pretty much all rescues and shelters. It’s “risky” but risky like a common surgery– it’s risky if something goes wrong, but it’s so common place that something rarely does. The best part about it is right after the first treatment you see an improvement.
Heartworm treatment IS sometimes a bit risky, but not generally because of the drugs used. The dead and dying parasites in the bloodstream can clog valves and cause immune reactions that can be deadly. The alternative, however, is certain death down the road from the infestation in the heart.
Follow your vet’s advice and instructions to the letter. Get a second opinion if you like, it’s never a bad idea.
Here is a very informative site for you to read:
http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?A=610
email me.
not with my own pets, but at the shelter i work at a dog with heartworm is by no means doomed! we treat every dog that has heart worm and not once since ive been there have we lost one!
I got my dog 2 years ago from the local shelter and on the day I went to pick her up I was told she had heart worm. As I was lucky enough to fall in love with two dogs the shelter offered to pay for the treatment. Thank God! The treatment was the same as what you’ve stated. What you need to know is this. When the vet says to not allow the dog to run, trot or exert him/herself LISTEN and FOLLOW those directions. I lived on the second floor and had to walk the dog down and up the stairs! The arsenic is pooled in the heart along with the heart worms. The point of low exertion is to keep the poison in place, to kill the worms only. The worms absorb/digest the poison after that they die. It took I believe at least 2 months before my Norfolk Terrier was feeling better. You will see a change in their behavior if the heart worms are at a serious state. Dogs with adult heart worms get tired easily and are less active because of it. The heart worms can also cause the heart to become enlarged. It’s all pretty frightful. But it is a normal and quite standard treatment well worth the effort to sustain your doggies life. Go get the treatment knowing that if you adhere to the instructions there isn’t much reason for worry. Do your best to keep your dog safe and quiet till the dangerous period passes. Meaning, put away toys and no long walks or even dog parks for a while.
My girl has been healthy and happy ever since. Though you have to keep them on heart worm meds forever.
Good Luck!