GRRA Heartworm Positive Pups Need Your Help

Heartworm is Curable

 

. . .but it's a difficult cure and recovery period.  GRRA dogs with heartworm disease are immediately started on an antibiotic that begins to break up and kill off the adult heartworms.  Then additional antibiotics are given for 30 days.  On about day 45-60 post diagnosis, the vet gives the first injection of Immiticide (a harsh chemical given in a vaccine form), that really starts the break up the adult worms.  After an additional 30 days, the vet gives the same Immiticide injection on two consecutive days, back-to-back, during which time the dog stays at the vet overnight for observation, to make sure he is handling the treatments well since this is physically taxing to the dog.  All in all, the treatment protocol takes about 90 days.

 

The care of a dog undergoing heartworm treatment is special:  During the 3-month treatment process, the dog is to have no activities that will raise his heart rate:  no walks longer than the length of 3 driveways and back, no swimming, no running, no playing indoors or out, limited number of trips up and down stairs, nothing that will raise his heartrate.  Some dogs tolerate this restriction better than others, depending on age, activity level before treatments, temperament in general, etc.  Caretakers can give the dog lots of attention, love, and let him participate in lots of indoor activities, such as mind-games, puzzles, food puzzles, etc.  Car rides are a good distraction, as is sitting out on the porch and watching the world go by.  We encourage our caretakers to read the many articles on our website about activities to help engage our dogs during heartworm treatment.