heartworm discussion

[lmd]

We were comparing what is now done to treat a positive heartworm case. Is there a treatment which used a sheep wormer called levamisol.? It is supposed to be less risky. Yet I still hear of long term rest required. What is the most commonly used treatment - just generally?

[davet]

animal products that are used to prevent and treat for heart worms but i wouldn't use them, (except on my own dog) because they are not tested nor approaved for small animal use...i would not experriment with the large animal stuff..stick with the standard treatment out now...which i thin is two deep muscle injections...when i first statrted practice the treatment was an IV injection daily for 14 days and the treatment was rough...

[Mary Plummer]

I'm trying to remember the name of what was used; for some reason "Immiticide" springs to mind. I may be way off though! Like Davet said, it was two injections on either side of his spine, right above the hips. We had to keep in quiet for about 5 weeks after the treatment; this was because of the danger of the dead worms causing a blockage in his heart or lungs. I remember our vets telling us how much safer the treatment was today, but it was still really scary for us. After this part was over, he needed another injection to kill off the microfilaria. What I don't understand is why people don't use the monthly heartworm preventative tablets, when all of this can be the end result of not doing it. Wish I could be of more help on the names of the treatments, but my memory isn't working right now!

[Traci]

Here is a website that will answer your questions...Canine Heartworm Information

[Mary Plummer]

Sorry for being excited, but I'm amazed I remembered. Actually, I guess it was so traumatic for all of us that it stuck in my head. Here's the quote from that site: "Melarsomine dihydrochloride (Immiticide®, Merial)"