If you’re looking for more information on heartworm disease in dogs, read on. You’ll learn more about the cost of heartworm treatment, how it’s performed, and the incidence of this disease in the U.S. As you read, be aware that there is some risk involved. However, fatalities are relatively rare. The longer a dog lives after heartworm treatment, the less likely it is to contract the disease in the future.
Treating your dog for heartworm can be a stressful experience. You have to worry about their health, and you have to find the time to give them the treatment they need. But once you’re past that hurdle, you’ll want to make sure that your dog’s life expectancy is maximized after treatment.
Heartworm treatment protocol for dogs
In order to maximize your dog’s chances of a longer life, you should begin a heartworm treatment protocol as soon as possible. The American Heartworm Society recommends a three-dose melarsomine treatment protocol for dogs diagnosed with heartworm disease. This includes one single intramuscular injection of 2.5mg/kg of the drug Melarsomine, and two more injections given 24 hours apart. Your veterinarian will also prescribe an antibiotic to combat the Wolbachia bacteria that are carried by the worms.
The American Heartworm Society recommends the use of confirmatory tests and X-rays to detect and treat heartworm disease. This treatment is often covered by pet insurance, which helps reduce the cost of the treatments. You can also use your insurance plan to cover these tests. Many pet insurance plans will reimburse up to 90% of the cost. However, you should keep in mind that the cost of these tests may exceed your dog’s insurance coverage.
A dog with heartworm disease may exhibit no symptoms or very few during the early stages of the infection. The longer the infection continues, the more pronounced the clinical signs may be. Your veterinarian may notice abnormal lung sounds, enlarged liver tissue, or a heart murmur. Depending on the symptoms of heartworm disease, your veterinarian may recommend a course of treatment that will eliminate adult worms and increase your dog’s life expectancy.
After the first injection, your dog should stay quiet for at least a month. For the first month after treatment, your dog should not exercise and should remain quiet. During this time, your dog should also stay away from water and other similar activities. A heartworm cough may last seven to eight weeks. When it is gone, it will be easy to treat your dog, but there are a few risks associated with it.
A dog must be at least seven months old to be diagnosed with heartworm. If the heartworms are detected earlier, a dog can be treated without an expensive or time-consuming test. Heartworms can cause a shock-like reaction in dogs and may even lead to their death. But if you are not sure if your dog has heartworms, you should test your dog regularly. It’s very important to start early!
Ultimately, preventing heartworm infection is more important than treating it. The treatment protocol for heartworms involves a significant risk. However, if your dog is in good health and follows your veterinarian’s instructions, it’s unlikely that they will develop serious complications. With the right prevention and care, you can protect your dog from heartworm disease and extend their life expectancy. The best way to prevent heartworms in dogs is to start a monthly heartworm prevention medication.
Although adult heartworms can live for years inside the host, they cannot survive after six weeks. Treatment options for advanced heartworm disease include surgical procedures, antibiotics, and steroids. If your dog has heartworms, your veterinarian will likely recommend a course of treatment aimed at eliminating the adult heartworms. Your dog will undergo periodic testing for heartworms for up to six months following treatment. If you’ve already diagnosed your dog with heartworm disease, make sure you start treatment as soon as possible.
Cost of heartworm treatment in dogs
Preventative measures to protect your dog from heartworm disease include monthly preventive medications and annual checkups with your veterinarian. Heartworm testing can cost anywhere from $35 to $75 per visit. The American Heartworm Society recommends heartworm testing for all dogs at least once a year. If your dog has a positive test, your veterinarian can administer confirmatory tests. These tests may cost another $20 to $40. If your dog tests positive, the treatment for heartworm disease costs approximately $1,200 to $1,800.
Heartworm treatment in dogs requires three injections of the drug melarsomine. Each dose is given at least 24 hours apart. During these treatments, your dog must stay overnight in the clinic. While overnight care may cost several hundred dollars per night, the treatment is worth it. You’ll have to return in a month for a followup exam. Your veterinarian will take scans to determine the number of worms in your dog’s body. Then, every five to six months after the treatment, your veterinarian will perform a blood test to ensure your dog has no more heartworms.
To treat your dog, your veterinarian will prescribe heartworm preventative medication. The medication costs approximately $20 to $50 per dose. A full year’s supply costs about $1,500. The initial treatment will kill adult heartworm larvae but may not be effective if you’re already dealing with immature worms. The medication can be expensive, so check your insurance plan before getting your pet treated. It’s important to check with your veterinarian to make sure that your pet’s health insurance covers the cost of heartworm treatment in dogs.
After heartworm treatment, your dog will have to stay quiet for several weeks. Following the injections, your dog will need to stay out of the heat or the cold for several weeks. It’s important to avoid excessive exercise for a few weeks after the last injection, because heartworm worms can be carried through the blood to the lungs. Once inside, they’ll be reabsorbed by the body. Coughing is a symptom of overgrowth of heartworm.
To prevent further complications, your veterinarian will prescribe corticosteroids or antibiotics. In addition, your pet will be crated after heartworm treatment. If your pet does not respond to the treatment, you can always choose an affordable alternative heartworm treatment. By using Essential PetCare’s alternative heartworm treatment protocol, you can save money on these treatments. Your dog’s health is our priority and your peace of mind.
The American Heartworm Society has a proven protocol for heartworm treatment. Injectable melarsomine, also known as Immiticide, kills adult heartworms in the heart and nearby blood vessels. Your veterinarian will determine the frequency of injections and schedule each treatment. Typically, dogs will receive an initial injection followed by two more 24 hours apart injections. The veterinarian may also prescribe an antibiotic, doxycycline, to help fight Wolbachia bacteria.
Incidence of heartworm disease in the U.S.
The increase in heartworm disease is a concern for many veterinarians and pet owners. This parasite is becoming increasingly resistant to existing drugs, so determining trends in heartworm infection is important for both veterinarians and pet owners. The incidence of heartworm infection increased throughout several southern states, eastward to the Atlantic coastline, and northward to central Illinois. The prevalence of heartworm infection was highest in the Lower Mississippi River Valley, followed by the Central States, and western areas.
Although prevalence of heartworm disease is increasing across the USA, there is a high variation in each region and county. Several states, such as Kentucky and Illinois, have increased rates of heartworm infection, while some states have experienced a decline. Therefore, veterinarians must continue to stress the importance of annual testing and year-round treatment with an ML containing a heartworm prevention. Further research is needed to determine what factors may be driving these trends.
The American Heartworm Society conducts a nationwide survey to assess the prevalence of heartworm disease. Data from heartworm tests performed on animals over the previous 12 months are analyzed to determine the overall prevalence of heartworm disease. In the most recent survey, nearly 6,000 U.S. veterinary practices collected data from 5.1 million dogs and cats. Click on the map below to learn more about the prevalence of heartworm disease across the United States.
Despite the widespread prevalence of heartworm disease, the Southeast remains a high-risk region. Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, and South Carolina had the highest heartworm incidence rates. While there is no single cause of heartworm disease, these factors may be significant contributing factors to the disease. These factors may also play a role in preventing heartworms in dogs and cats. If you live in an area where mosquitoes are active, you should take steps to avoid exposure.
While the prevalence of heartworm disease in the United States is increasing, it still remains an unknown reason for concern. Increasing efforts to rescue and re-home dogs are one reason. More research is needed to identify the primary causes of heartworm disease. However, climate change, land use, and socioeconomic factors may play an important role. In addition to the above factors, pathogen-related factors may influence mosquito communities and the spread of resistant worms.
There are several methods of detection and prevention of heartworm disease. Using heartworm antigen-detection tests is recommended when dogs are traveling to areas where heartworm disease is rare or for pets in shelters. The process also helps veterinarians prevent infected dogs from traveling to new areas. Furthermore, educating pet owners will increase compliance and reinforce veterinarian recommendations. And, of course, there are always vaccination programs.