By Jennifer Reed
When it comes to heartworms, prevention is much easier than treatment. Just ask Roadie, a happy and seemingly healthy 8-year-old chocolate Lab who came in for his first exam with Dr. Drake in September.
During Roadie’s visit, a blood sample was obtained for a heartworm test. Within a matter of days, it was confirmed that Roadie tested positive for heartworm disease.
Transmitted by mosquitoes, heartworms are parasites that live in a dog’s heart or pulmonary arteries. Because heartworm disease, also known as dirofilariasis, is such a serious and potentially fatal illness, we strongly recommend annual heartworm tests and monthly preventative medication for all dogs.
Here, Roadie’s mom talks about what it’s really like to treat a dog with heartworm disease.
Tell us a little bit about Roadie and how you discovered his illness.
We were lucky to have been able to adopt Roadie through Labrador Rescuers of San Diego. Roadie was left behind by his owners when they lost their home in Corona, CA to foreclosure. We think he may have contracted the disease while he was there and off his heartworm prevention medicine. The house had a pool that was left unattended, like he was, and it is possible he was bitten by an infected mosquito before he was rescued.
A few days after Roadie joined our family, we brought him into The Drake Center for a complete wellness exam. Through original and confirmatory blood work, we learned he tested positive for heartworm disease.
How much did you know about heartworm disease before Roadie became positive?
We knew nothing about the disease except that it was serious and often fatal if left untreated. We have always been disciplined about administering monthly prevention medication to our dogs, so we really never worried about it.
What does Roadie's treatment entail?
We are about halfway through Roadie’s 90-day treatment plan. In addition to a complex pre-medication schedule and monthly heartworm preventative medication through the entire treatment, the first month consisted of administering an aggressive antibiotic to treat any secondary infection. During the second and third months, an injectable drug is administered to kill the adult heartworms. This requires Roadie to be admitted to the hospital for the day for observation. For the entire three months, Roadie is also required to be on strict cage rest. No long walks, running, playing, beach trips or hikes.
How has Roadie's illness affected him and your family?
In addition to the financial burden, it is a time-consuming and complex treatment plan. It is also hard to tell a Labrador he can’t swim, run, play or chase a ball. Fortunately, someone can always be home with Roadie, but his disease has required us to juggle schedules and change plans to accommodate the strict cage rest. Most importantly, it is a scary time for us because despite only having Roadie in our family for a few months, we can’t imagine life without him, should he not respond to this treatment. We do what needs to be done and we do it without giving it a second thought.
What advice would you give to other pet owners about heartworm prevention?
The cost of the monthly heartworm prevention pill is much less than the financial, physical and emotional cost of treating this disease. We urge everyone to be disciplined with the monthly preventative treatment!
How is Roadie doing?
Roadie is a rock star! He has tolerated the treatment well so far. His only side effect appears to be from the prednisone, which has resulted in increased appetite and water consumption as well as a more frequent need to urinate.
He never complains (maybe it’s the extra cookies?), is okay with staying back while his sister, Reagan, goes for her long morning and evening walks and just hangs with me at the park every day while Reagan runs and runs and runs (and runs and runs). He seems to know what the rules are during his treatment.
He is a faithful, obedient and happy dog who seems far too comfortable and grateful for the loving home and regular meals to mind!
For more information about heartworms in dogs, please click here.