This was originally posted Feb 2020
Here is Crews at the vet, getting his test done.
**This is an account of what I am going through in hopes it gives some insight to heartworm treatment. I am not a vet. Please be sure to contact you vet if your pet is sick.
7 months ago, we adopted Crews. He from the southern states, where dogs come in contact with heartworm frequently. So, unfortunately for him, he’s heartworm positive. At the boarding facility he was at, they gave him a treatment of doxycycline, which is used to weaken the heartworm so it can be killed more easily. When I picked him up, they gave me a vial of ivermectin (a dewormer) to give him once a week for 6 months. This is considered a slow-kill method. The benefits of this are that is easier on the dog. The downside is, that gives the heartworms more time to do more damage to the heart.
We went to the vet a few weeks ago to get the testing done, hoping he’s now be heartworm negative. But we wouldn’t be so lucky. He tested positive, again. I left with several hundred dollars worth of doxycycline and a couple heartgard pills. (Which are also ivermectin) The next step would be 3 injections over a couple months and days spent at the vet for observation to make sure his heart can handle the treatment. This will cost up to $2000. I reached out to the rescue who suggested I continue on with the weekly ivermectin treatments for a couple more months. The vet is saying that will only prevent babies in the bloodstream, which he is free of, and that it won’t do anything for the adults in his heart. Basically just waiting for them to die of old age, which could take 2 years. In the meantime, a dog on heartworm treatment is supposed to be on strict cage rest.
Feb 5: I just heard back from the vet and she found a newer study she called the Doxymectin treatment. This suggests using the doxy in conjunction with a monthly treatment of Advantage Multi, for 6 months. This will cost $140.
July 6: I booked Crews' appointment to get tested. Because of Covid, I was not allowed to go inside with him. I also booked an appointment to have Felix, the barncat, weighed so he can get dewormer, and for Holly, to be euathanized (more on that in a later post). As I sat in my car holding my sedated cat, balling my eyes out, my phone rings, "I've got great news for once! Crews tested negative for heartworm!" To be honest, I wasn't thinking of him at that point. But, I'm so relieved that this is over. I'm not sure how I would have handled it at that point, if it were bad news. I got home and I put Felix on the ground, he slowly crawled out of the carrier, looking around cautiously. I thought I'd give him a head start, because now, Crews is allowed to run! Neither animal took their opportunities, one followed me around for half an hour, just out of reach, glaring at me, showing me his displeasure with being treated for worms. The other wanted to go in the house and go to bed. Crews is heart worm negative! Let the training commence!
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