I need advice from dog owners who have experienced heartworm treatment with their dog?
What does treatment consist of?
How long does treatment last?
What signs and symptoms does a dog exhibit during treatment?
Can a dog die during heartworm treatment?
What necessary precautions must be taken when caring for a dog that is undergoing treatment?
The answer is provided by :
Amanda W :
The treatment consists of a series of injections over a few days or a couple of months.
Dogs are often tired. Some of this may be from pain meds given during treatment. It is really hard on their bodies, though. They usually feel at least a little off.
Dogs can die during heartworm treatment. I’ve only seen it happen twice. They were rescue dogs that were not in peak condition otherwise and they had been heartworm positive for years by all evidence. There’s a risk, but the risks of leaving them infected are definitely higher.
You should keep your dog quiet. Very little exercise for the entire time they are being treated. Make sure they’re eating and they’re breathing ok and not coughing. Those can be signs that something is wrong. If that happens, contact your vet.
One of my dogs had to go through treatment shortly after I got him. He did fine with it and is doing fine now. It’s a serious thing, though and shouldn’t be taken lightly. I hope I’ve helped and I hope your dog does well.