Heartworm Treatment: What to Expect and How to Support Your Pet

Heartworm disease is a serious issue for pets in Antelope, California. Cherry Creek Veterinary Hospital wants to be sure that our pet owners are aware of heartworm disease and how to support your beloved pet through heartworm treatment and recovery if needed. 

A Little About Heartworm Disease in Pets

Heartworm disease is a serious and potentially life threatening condition that is caused by a parasitic worm infection. This worm, Dirofilaria immitis, is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito and can take up residence in the heart, lungs, and blood vessels of an infected pet. 

As you can imagine, heartworm infection can lead to serious symptoms and disease including heart failure. While dogs are most commonly affected, cats can also contract heartworm disease. 

Early detection and treatment of a heartworm infection are key to helping the affected pet recover. Thankfully, we have many safe and effective options for preventing the disease altogether as part of your pet’s wellness care.

The Ins and Outs of Heartworm Treatment 

Sometimes, though, despite our best efforts, an animal becomes infected. When this happens, it is reassuring to know that there are treatment options available for dogs. Unfortunately, cats do not tolerate conventional treatments well. 

For most pets, treatment for heartworm disease is a multi-step process that includes:

• Staging the level of disease by running diagnostics that often include a confirmatory test, evaluation for microfilaria (baby heartworms) in the blood, chest radiographs, and systemic blood work
• Starting on a prevention product to kill any larvae and prevent a new infection
• Beginning an antibiotic course to make treatment safer
• Starting a two or three step series of injections with melarsomine to slowly kill the adult heartworms
• Restricting exercise during and for several weeks after treatment to prevent embolisms as the worms die

In severe to life-threatening cases, we may recommend surgery to physically remove the worms. After treatment for any pet, regular examinations and prevention are key to returning to a normal life. 

Supporting a Pet Through Heartworm Treatment

Putting a pet through heartworm treatment can be tough. Our best tips to ensure a success story include:

• Administering all medications as prescribed
• Being strict about exercise restriction—crate rest and leashed walks are key
• Help entertain your pet with low activity mental stimulation
• Watch your pet’s habits and report any concerns
• Talk to us—we don’t know how we can help unless you let us know you need it

Your pet is going to need some extra reassurance and comfort from you. Heartworm treatment injections can be uncomfortable, and the change in activity level can be hard for some pets. Do your best to provide a stable and kind relationship for your patient as they recover. 

We hope that your pet never has to be treated for heartworms, but if you do find yourself in the situation that it is needed, know that they are in good hands. Heartworm disease is serious, but together we can overcome it. 

To discuss options for heartworm prevention, please contact us at (916) 349-2755  or info@cherrycreekvet.com.