Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Heartworm prevention and treatment risks in dogs and cats
By Hoch, Heather & Strickland, Keith·Published in Compendium (Yardley, PA)·2008·SouthPaws Veterinary Specialists and Emergency Center, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Canine and feline dirofilariasis: prophylaxis, treatment, and complications of treatment.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A dog with heartworm disease can experience serious health issues, and treatment can be costly and complicated. For infected dogs, a medication called melarsomine is very effective in killing adult heartworms, but it can lead to dangerous side effects, especially in those with severe infections. To help manage symptoms like coughing or difficulty breathing, vets often prescribe corticosteroids before and after treatment. After receiving the adulticide, dogs must rest in a cage for 4 to 6 weeks to recover properly. While dogs with mild to moderate infections usually do well, those with severe cases may have a poorer outlook.
People also search for: dog heartworm treatment · heartworm symptoms in dogs · corticosteroids for dog coughing
Abstract
Several agents are available for the prevention of heartworm infection. Melarsomine is up to 96% efficacious (after two doses) as a heartworm adulticide in infected dogs. However, treatment of dogs infected with D. immitis can be expensive, and adulticide therapy in patients with moderate to severe heartworm disease can be associated with life-threatening complications. Patients with clinical signs associated with pneumonitis benefit from short-term therapy with antiinflammatory doses of corticosteroids before and after adulticide treatment. Strict cage rest for 4 to 6 weeks is mandatory after adulticide administration. Microfilaricide therapy is indicated for microfilaremic patients. The prognosis is good in patients with mild to moderate infection, fair to guarded in severe cases, and poor to grave (even with treatment) in patients with caval syndrome, severe pulmonary thromboembolism, or congestive heart failure.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18409141/