Learning that your dog has tested positive for heartworms can feel overwhelming and frightening, especially when you understand that these parasites are literally living in your pet’s blood stream and heart. Heartworm disease is a serious, potentially fatal condition that requires prompt, careful treatment under veterinary supervision, but with proper care and patience, most dogs and cats can make a full recovery and return to their normal, active lives. Although heartworm disease is not very common in Central Oregon it is important to understand symptoms, treatment and prevention. As more pets move here from other states and countries, they can bring heartworms with them which could be transmitted to your pet.
At Pawtown Veterinary Care, we understand the emotional stress of a heartworm diagnosis and are here to guide you through every step of the treatment process. Our comprehensive veterinary services include heartworm treatment protocols designed to safely eliminate these dangerous parasites while minimizing risks to your dog’s health. Dr. Erin Miller and Dr. Lauren Stayer bring years of experience to heartworm treatment, providing the personalized attention and careful monitoring that successful treatment requires in our welcoming, locally-owned practice.
Understanding Heartworm Disease and Treatment
Heartworms are transmitted through mosquito bites and develop into foot-long worms that live in the heart, lungs, and blood vessels of infected dogs and cats. The treatment process involves killing both adult worms and microscopic larvae while managing the risks associated with dead worms breaking apart and potentially causing blockages in blood vessels.
The gold standard treatment protocol uses a series of injections containing melarsomine, an arsenic-based medication that specifically targets adult heartworms. This treatment must be administered in a veterinary clinic and requires strict activity restriction during the treatment period to prevent complications from dying worms.
Before beginning treatment, we conduct comprehensive testing to assess your dog’s overall health and determine the severity of heartworm infection. Blood work, chest X-rays, and physical examination help us understand how the heartworms have affected your dog’s heart and lungs, allowing us to tailor the treatment protocol to their specific condition.
Treatment timing is crucial because heartworms continue to damage the heart and lungs while alive, but dead and dying worms also pose risks as they break apart. This is why we carefully monitor your dog throughout the treatment process and provide detailed guidelines for activity restriction and care at home.
The Heartworm Treatment Process
Heartworm treatment typically follows a multi-step protocol that begins with stabilizing your dog’s condition and eliminating microfilaria (baby heartworms) from the bloodstream. We start with a month of antibiotics to weaken the heartworms and reduce the risk of complications during treatment.
The actual heartworm treatment involves a series of melarsomine injections administered over several weeks. The specific protocol depends on your dog’s condition, but most dogs receive either a two-injection or three-injection series. These injections are given deep into the muscle and can be uncomfortable, so we provide pain management and monitor your dog closely during each visit.
Throughout treatment, strict exercise restriction is absolutely critical for your dog’s safety. Physical activity can cause dead heartworms to block blood vessels, potentially leading to life-threatening complications. This means no activity that increases heart rate for several months during and after treatment, including:
- Running
- Playing
- Walks longer than short bathroom breaks
We schedule regular follow-up appointments to monitor your dog’s progress and watch for any signs of complications. Most dogs and cats show gradual improvement in their breathing and energy levels as the heartworms are eliminated and their cardiovascular system begins to heal.
Managing Heartworm Treatment Risks and Complications
While heartworm treatment is generally successful, it does carry inherent risks that require careful management and monitoring. The most serious potential complication is pulmonary embolism, which occurs when dead heartworms block blood vessels in the lungs. This is why exercise restriction is so crucial during the treatment period.
Warning signs that require immediate veterinary attention include:
- Difficulty breathing
- Coughing up blood
- Loss of appetite
- Lethargy
- Collapse
We provide detailed information about what to watch for at home and have protocols in place for handling any emergencies that may arise during treatment. Some dogs and cats experience mild side effects from the treatment injections, including soreness at the injection site, loss of appetite, or mild lethargy. These reactions are generally temporary and manageable with supportive care, but we want you to feel comfortable contacting us with any concerns during the treatment process.
Pre-existing health conditions can complicate heartworm treatment, which is why thorough pre-treatment testing is so important. Dogs with advanced heart disease, kidney problems, or other serious health issues may require modified treatment protocols or additional supportive care during the treatment process.
Cost Considerations and Heartworm Treatment Support
Heartworm treatment represents a significant financial investment, but the alternative of leaving heartworms untreated is ultimately fatal. We provide transparent pricing for the entire treatment protocol upfront and offer flexible payment options, including Care Credit and Scratch Pay to help manage the expense of this important treatment.
The total cost of heartworm treatment includes:
- Pre-treatment testing
- The treatment injections themselves
- Follow-up monitoring
- Any supportive medications needed during recovery
While this can seem overwhelming initially, it’s important to remember that successful treatment gives your dog the chance for many healthy years ahead. We work with families to develop payment plans that make heartworm treatment accessible, because we believe financial concerns should never prevent a dog from receiving life-saving treatment. Our goal is to focus on your dog’s health and recovery rather than worrying about upfront costs that can be managed over time.
Some pet insurance policies cover heartworm treatment, and we’re happy to provide the documentation needed for insurance claims. We can also discuss staging treatment over time if needed to make the financial commitment more manageable while still providing effective care.
Preventing Future Heartworm Infections
Once your dog or cat completes heartworm treatment, preventing reinfection becomes a lifelong commitment. Monthly heartworm prevention is highly effective and much less expensive than treating heartworm disease, making prevention the smart choice for your pet’s health and your family’s budget.
We recommend year-round heartworm prevention even in Central Oregon, where mosquito activity varies seasonally. Heartworm prevention medications are safe, effective, and much easier on your dog than going through treatment again. Many prevention medications also protect against other internal parasites, providing additional health benefits.
Regular heartworm testing remains important even when your dog is on prevention.
You can learn more about our approach to comprehensive preventive care by visiting our about us page and reading about our commitment to building long-term relationships with pets and their families. We also provide convenient access to heartworm prevention medications through our online pharmacy for easy refills and ongoing protection.
Expert Heartworm Treatment at Pawtown Veterinary Care
Heartworm disease is serious, but with proper treatment and careful monitoring, most dogs make full recoveries and go on to live normal, healthy lives. Dr. Erin Miller and Dr. Lauren Stayer have extensive experience in heartworm treatment and are committed to providing the highest standard of care throughout this challenging but ultimately rewarding process. Our locally-owned practice combines advanced treatment protocols with the personal attention and support that help families navigate heartworm treatment successfully.
We understand that heartworm treatment can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to face this diagnosis alone. Our experienced team is here to answer your questions, provide ongoing support, and monitor your dog’s progress every step of the way. From the initial diagnosis through complete recovery, we’re committed to helping your dog overcome heartworm disease and return to the active, happy life they deserve. If your dog needs heartworm testing or treatment, request an appointment online or call us to discuss their specific situation. Contact Pawtown Veterinary Care today through our contact page to schedule a heartworm consultation and take the first step toward protecting your dog’s heart health for years to come.