Cheapest Way to Treat Heartworms
As a pet parent, your dog’s health is a priority. But what happens when your fur baby is diagnosed with heartworms and the cost of treatment seems prohibitive? Heartworms, parasitic worms that infest the heart and lungs of dogs, can lead to severe health complications if not treated promptly. So, how can you provide your dog with the necessary care without breaking the bank?
Understanding Heartworms: An Overview
Before delving into heartworm treatment options, it’s crucial to understand what heartworms are and the risk they pose to your pet. Heartworms are transmitted by mosquitoes carrying heartworm larvae. Once an infected mosquito bites a dog, the larvae mature into adult heartworms in about six months. The adult worms live in the heart, lungs, and associated blood vessels, causing lung disease, heart failure, and potentially, death.
Prevention: The Most Affordable Treatment
When it comes to heartworms, the saying, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” holds true. Heartworm prevention is significantly cheaper and less risky than treating an existing infection. Monthly preventatives like Iverhart, Heartgard, and Sentinel can effectively keep heartworms at bay. These treatments can cost as low as $70-$120 for a year’s supply, depending on the weight of your dog.
Once a dog is infected, the heartworm treatment process can be challenging and costly. The standard treatment protocol involves a series of injections with the drug Melarsomine, the only approved medication that kills adult heartworms. This treatment method, although highly effective, can be expensive, with costs ranging from several hundred to over a thousand dollars.
‘Slow Kill’ Method: A Controversial Alternative
One alternative, more affordable method is the ‘slow kill’ treatment. This approach involves the administration of monthly heartworm preventatives to kill immature heartworms over time. However, this method does not eliminate adult worms, which can live for 1 to 3 years and continue to cause damage. Some veterinarians might not recommend this method due to its lengthy duration and the continuing health risk to the pet.
Seeking Financial Assistance: Charitable Organizations and Low-Cost Clinics
If the cost of treatment is unmanageable, there are charitable organizations like Emancipet and other low-cost veterinary clinics that offer subsidized heartworm treatments. It’s worthwhile to research and reach out to these entities.
Comparing Prices: Vet Shopping
Prices can vary significantly from one veterinary clinic to another. Thus, comparing prices, or ‘vet shopping’, can save pet parents hundreds of dollars. Call different clinics in your area and inquire about their heartworm treatment prices.
FAQs
Q1: How Can I Treat Heartworms at Home?
While some resources suggest home remedies for heartworms, it’s vital to understand that heartworm disease is a serious, life-threatening condition for dogs. As such, it requires a professional, veterinary-guided treatment plan. Home remedies and over-the-counter medications lack the potency to kill adult heartworms and might lead to unnecessary suffering or the worsening of your dog’s condition. Always consult with a vet when it comes to heartworm treatment.
Q2: Can Heartworms be Prevented Without a Vet Visit?
Heartworm preventatives are prescription medications, meaning a vet visit is typically necessary for access. However, some online pet pharmacies might offer these preventatives if you provide a prescription from your vet. Regular check-ups are still crucial, as they ensure your dog is heartworm-free before starting or continuing on preventatives.
Q3: What is the ‘Slow Kill’ Method for Heartworm Treatment?
The ‘slow kill’ method involves administering a heartworm preventative that slowly kills off the immature worms (larvae) over an extended period. It does not, however, kill adult worms. This method is often cheaper but also riskier and lengthier than conventional treatment. The continued presence of adult heartworms can lead to ongoing damage to your dog’s heart and lungs.
Q4: Can All Dogs Tolerate Heartworm Preventatives?
Most dogs can safely take heartworm preventatives. However, some breeds are sensitive to certain ingredients in these medications. For instance, some collie breeds can have adverse reactions to ivermectin, a common ingredient in many heartworm preventatives. It’s essential to discuss any breed-specific considerations with your vet before starting a preventative regimen.
Q5: How Long Does Heartworm Treatment Take?
The length of treatment can vary based on the severity of the infection and the chosen method. The conventional treatment with Melarsomine typically involves three injections over two visits, spaced about a month apart, followed by several months of exercise restriction. The ‘slow kill’ method can take up to two years as it relies on the natural lifespan of the adult heartworms.
Q6: What are the Risks Associated with Heartworm Treatment?
Heartworm treatment can have potential side effects and risks. When adult heartworms die, they can cause an inflammatory response and potentially block blood vessels in your dog’s lungs, which can be life-threatening. Therefore, careful monitoring by a vet and strict activity restriction are essential during treatment.
Q7: Is it Possible to Treat Cats for Heartworms?
Unlike dogs, there’s no approved treatment for heartworm disease in cats. Prevention is the only means to protect cats from heartworm disease. If a cat is diagnosed with heartworms, symptomatic treatment to manage inflammation and respiratory symptoms is often used. Always consult with a vet for the best course of action for your pet.
Q8: How Effective is the ‘Slow Kill’ Method for Heartworm Treatment?
The ‘slow kill’ method, which involves administering a heartworm preventative to gradually kill off the immature worms (larvae) over a long period, is less effective at treating active heartworm infections. This method doesn’t eliminate adult heartworms, which continue to damage the heart and lungs. It’s generally considered less ideal and is typically only used when the standard treatment cannot be administered due to cost or health constraints.
Q9: What Are the Potential Side Effects of Heartworm Preventatives?
Heartworm preventatives are typically safe for most dogs. However, they can occasionally cause side effects, such as vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, or lethargy. More severe reactions can include seizures, tremors, or sudden weakness. If your dog shows any unusual symptoms after taking heartworm preventatives, contact your vet immediately.
Q10: Can Dogs Fully Recover From Heartworm Disease?
With appropriate and timely treatment, many dogs can recover from heartworm disease. However, the disease can cause lasting damage to the heart, lungs, and other organs, potentially leading to long-term health issues. Recovery also depends on the severity of the infection at the time of treatment.
Q11: What is the Best Way to Prevent Heartworm Disease?
The best way to prevent heartworm disease is through a year-round preventative regimen, which requires a prescription from a vet. Regular testing for heartworms is also crucial, as it ensures your dog is not infected before starting or continuing on a preventative.
Q12: Are Heartworm Tests Necessary?
Yes, regular heartworm tests are an essential part of heartworm prevention. These tests ensure that your dog isn’t already infected with heartworms before starting or continuing on a preventative, as giving preventatives to an infected dog can have serious implications.
Q13: Are Certain Dogs More Prone to Heartworm Disease?
All dogs, regardless of breed or age, are susceptible to heartworm disease if they’re exposed to mosquitoes carrying heartworm larvae. However, dogs living in areas with a high mosquito population or those who spend a lot of time outdoors may have a higher risk of infection.
Q14: Can Heartworm Disease Be Passed to Humans or Other Pets?
Heartworm disease cannot be directly transmitted from an infected dog to humans or other pets. The disease is only spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. Nonetheless, it’s essential to maintain preventative measures for all pets, as mosquitoes can easily infect others in the household if one pet is infected.
Q15: Can Heartworm Disease Be Treated in Pregnant Dogs?
Treating heartworm disease in pregnant dogs is a challenging process because both the disease and its treatment can be harmful to the unborn puppies. Melarsomine, the medication used to kill adult heartworms, is not considered safe for use in pregnant dogs. As a result, other treatment methods may be explored, such as the ‘slow kill’ method, which is safer but not as effective. It’s best to consult with a veterinarian to determine the appropriate course of action in these cases.
Q16: Are There Any Natural Preventatives for Heartworms?
While some natural health advocates might suggest various herbs, essential oils, or dietary changes as natural preventatives for heartworms, there is no scientific evidence to support the effectiveness of these methods. Heartworm disease is a serious and potentially fatal condition that should be prevented using proven, veterinarian-prescribed preventatives.
Q17: Can Dogs Develop Resistance to Heartworm Medication?
While it is theoretically possible for heartworms to develop resistance to medication, it is a rare occurrence. The regular administration of heartworm preventatives and routine testing helps to ensure the efficacy of the medication and reduces the likelihood of resistance developing.
Q18: Why is Exercise Restricted During Heartworm Treatment?
During heartworm treatment, dead or dying worms can cause blockages in the blood vessels of the dog’s lungs. Exercise can increase the risk of these blockages causing severe complications, as physical activity increases blood flow, potentially dislodging the worms and causing them to travel to the lungs. Therefore, limiting physical activity during treatment is crucial for the safety of the dog.
Q19: What are the Symptoms of Heartworm Disease?
In the early stages of heartworm disease, dogs may not show any symptoms. As the disease progresses, symptoms can include a mild, persistent cough, fatigue after moderate activity, weight loss, decreased appetite, and a swollen abdomen due to excess fluid. In severe cases, dogs may suffer from heart failure. If you notice any of these symptoms in your dog, contact your vet immediately.
Q20: How Frequently Should Heartworm Preventative Medication be Administered?
Most heartworm preventatives are administered monthly. Some products are designed to be given every six months, and there is even a product available that offers 12 months of protection with a single injection, administered by a veterinarian. Despite the dosing frequency, it’s important to administer these medications consistently, as instructed by your vet, to ensure optimal protection against heartworm disease.
