Melarsomine (Immiticide) for Canine Heartworm Disease Treatment

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I'm sorry Milo has heartworms! There's only one drug that is approved by the FDA to treat and kill heartworms, and that is melarsomine. This drug is given by injection, and can only be given in a vet hospital by the vet. Speak to your vet about treating him for heartworm, and check out this website which has more information on the disease. I hope this helps! https://www.heartwormsociety.org/heartworm-positive-dogs

Yes and no. There are two different protocols for treating heartworm infections. The first is a rapid kill method and this is generally preferable to a slow kill method. The rapid kill method will be completed within two months including the cage rest. This protocol tends to be preferred because it decreases damage to the heart from the worms. It does carry some potential side effects such as anaphylactic reactions and potential embolisms from dead worms. Some pets are not a candidate for this protocol. This protocol uses a specific medication called Immidicide. The slow kill method does utilize drugs like ivermectin. The worms will not be completely killed for 1 to 3 years and so on going damage is possible. During this time the dogs must make sure to take all the medications on time and as prescribed. Talk to your veterinarian about which option is best for Hollywood. I hope this is helpful and please feel free to post any additional questions.

Melarsomine is the only medication that can kill adult heartworms, and there unfortunately is not a less expensive option. Sometimes veterinarians will discuss what is commonly known as a 'slow kill' method, but in reality this means starting an antibiotic to weaken the heartworms and then giving a monthly preventative and waiting for the heartworms to die on their own. Some veterinarians do not recommend this due to the potential to develop resistant heartworm infections. If Waylon is not symptomatic this might be an option. He would be at risk for developing side effects from the dying heartworms for 1-2 years and exercise restriction is recommended during that time. You should talk to your veterinarian and ask about all of your different options, and you could also try contacting rescue groups in your area to see if there are any that could help with heartworm treatment. You also may want to look into Care Credit (www.carecredit.com).

A "low positive" may mean a low adult heartworm burden. The preventive is to kill any immature heartworm (microfilariae). The doxycyline is to kill the wolbachia bacteria. This is an organism that lives within the heartworm parasite as a symbiont. This portion of the treatment lasts 30 days after which medication is given via injection to kill adult heartworm. Treatment is outlined at the link below. https://d3ft8sckhnqim2.cloudfront.net/images/pdf/HeartwormTreatmentGuide_PetOwnerColor.pdf?1561720859

Some veterinarians treat heart worms with a slow kill method by giving heartworm prevention monthly which will kill the adult worms over time and prevent new ones. The more common treatment is with injections to kill the worms quickly. Both methods have advantages and disadvantages. Doing it with a slow kill method is much less expensive. The shots are expensive, can be painful and you would need to keep your dog very quiet for six weeks. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Duke.

The heartworms will kill her if you don't attempt treatment. At least with the treatment there is a chance she will survive. The vet can do a "slow kill" protocol and uses the immiticide injections over a longer period of time. That is what we do here in the States when we have a dog with advanced stage heartworm disease. Hope this answers your question. Best wishes.

There is really only one treatment for adult heartworm disease which is given by injection. The other method is just continuing to use preventative medications so they don’t continue to be bitten and infected with more heartworms. The hope is over time the worms will die. This may take years and the worms will continue to do damage to the body while they exist. Heartworm disease is complicated and devastating and the treatment does have the potential for side effects. If Scooby does have heartworm disease then a long conversation with your veterinarian about treatment plans would be advised. American heartworm society https://www.heartwormsociety.org. Has some great information and resources as well. Best of luck and thank you for using Pet Coach.