Tough Decisions - Medical Interventions, Heartworm Treatments
Poor Sully is still testing heartworm positive after over a year of treatment for heartworm prior to my adopting her. She was treated in the south with their typical, less-aggressive heartworm treatment. The vet here in New England wants to treat it in the much more aggressive, Yankee manner. I know I am not the first person who has had to decide whether to treat heartworm more aggressively or more conservatively, but seriously, Sully is a remarkable dog who deserves nothing less than an extensive research and review before deciding which treatment is best. It could be worse, to be sure, but I risk losing Sully regardless of whether I try to wait for the heartworms to die of "old age," or I flood poor Sully with poison to kill them quickly. I truly think the vets in the south and the ones here in New England are equally dedicated and kind. I just can't decide which treatment is more effective but less dangerous. I am so worried that the treatment will kill the worms, but may kill Sully in the process. I am also worried that trying to wait for them to die naturally will damage her heart and lungs so much she cannot be saved in that case. The options are so scary and sad. Any ideas? My poor little buddy. I feel like I swallowed a tennis ball.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Natalie, Lance &Tucker on
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Oh Holly, I am so sorry you are dealing with this. Such a tough decision, not sure I can give you advice on this. :( I hope someone can be more helpful than me. ((((Hugs))))
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Permalink Reply by Holly on
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I meant to ask how your family was doing also, so soon after losing Lance. He was so loveable, REALLY. His online presence is so sweet and loving. I am sure he is very much missed. Wishing the best and many hugs to you and yours as well! Missing you Lance!!
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Permalink Reply by Linda on
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I wish I had advice to give. I've never had to deal with it and I'm sure I would be in total confusion just as you are. I am sending lots of good thoughts and corgi prayers in helping you make this decision.
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Permalink Reply by Anna Morelli on
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I would definitely treat. One reason to treat is that an infected dog is a constant source of possible infections to other dogs... here is my experience:
http://mycorgi.com/forum/topics/heartworm-positive
http://mycorgi.com/forum/topics/heartworm-positive?commentId=115019...
Best wishes. Post or message me if you have further questions.
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Thanks for the info Anna. Just to be clear though, only mosquitoes can infect other dogs. Sully can't give her infection to other pets or people.
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Permalink Reply by Beth on
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Cornell seems to recommend treating:
http://bakerinstitute.vet.cornell.edu/animalhealth/page.php?id=1096
Here's the official heartworm page:
http://www.heartwormsociety.org/pet-owner-resources/canine-heartwor...
I am sorry you are faced with this dilemma. I've known a few people with rescue dogs from the south who came here and needed treatment. They did ok. One was a bit wiped out, the other was not really bothered, but both recovered.
Best of luck, whatever you decide.
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Thanks Beth. She is being treated regardless. It is the aggressive vs, the less aggressive treatment that I am grappling with now. Thanks for the Cornell link. I haven't seen that yet and they are a good source. One of the postings Anna linked above implies the severity of the heartworm infection at the time of treatment makes the treatment less or more dangerous to the pet. Not sure how bad it is in Sully, but I would hope it didn't progress rapidly as she has had over a year of the less aggressive treatments so far.
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Holly your point is only partially correct. A heartworm positive dog is a constant source of infection because it is a link in the chain of transmission of heartworms ( mosquito bites infected dog, picks up heartworm microfilaria from the bloodstream, microfilaria incubate in the mosquito to the next stage and are then ready to infect any healthy dog they prey on next). No infected dog, no problem with mosquitoes... I would alert the neighbors of the situation to make sure their dogs have been checked and are on preventive. I know how scary it is to give these meds to the dog you love, good luck with your decision making.
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Permalink Reply by Avyon on
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Have you looked up how often dogs are killed through the more aggressive process? Im not even sure what the difference in on what they use to treat. I would definitely ask what they use and look up specific information on that. I know the internet can also be very one sided since most people get on just to complain (my personal health history and researching online will tell you that hahah).
I know when Roxi started showing worse symptoms when we were trying to heal her liver through medication it took a while of searching on the net just to find out that the medication had milkthistle in it which caused her to have an allergic reaction >< But it was crazy how long it took just to find that on the internet through all the complaints about other side affects oye..
Anyhoo.. TLDR: Research the specific thing your new vet would like to do and see how you feel then. I would also maybe call a few more vets and see what they think (like you would if you were going to have your own procedure done).
Hope this helps!
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Thanks Avyon. It is easy to find misinformation. I forget the name of the medication but it contains arsenic, which is part of why it is risky. The vet will perform some tests prior to treatment which should pick up any underlying issues that may make it more risky, but the risk is there regardless. I am scared, but I am very grateful that it isn't an aggressive cancer or something else that can't be treated.
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Honestly I am not sure what the "less aggressive" option is; I've only heard of the one treatment outlined by the Heartworm Association and Cornell. If after a year of treatment she is positive, then what they are doing probably isn't going to work. If I understand correctly, you just give her regular heartworm meds to prevent new infections, but that doesn't clear up the old infection.
I don't think the "souhern method" is following any research protocols that I've seen.....
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