Caring for a Dog During Heartworm Treatment

Has your dog been diagnosed with heartworm disease and is currently undergoing treatment? Heartworm disease is a serious and potentially fatal condition caused by foot-long worms that inhabit and damage the heart, lungs, and blood vessels of affected dogs. As natural hosts for these parasites, dogs are particularly vulnerable, and without proper treatment, the disease can lead to severe health issues, including lung disease, heart failure, and damage to other vital organs.

Even with treatment, your dog requires special care and attention to ensure the best chance for a full recovery. Adjusting your at-home habits to complement your veterinarian’s efforts is crucial. To help you navigate this challenging time, we’ve compiled some top tips for caring for your dog during heartworm treatment. These strategies will support your dog’s healing process and contribute to a successful recovery from heartworm disease treatment.

Key Takeaways

• Schedule regular veterinary check-ups to monitor the dog’s health, treatment progress, and any potential complications.
• Administer prescribed medications, such as melarsomine dihydrochloride, following the vet’s instructions, and be vigilant for any side effects, including lethargy and vomiting, while also considering heartworm prevention.
• Strictly limit the dog’s physical activity by only allowing short, leashed walks and enforcing a cage rest protocol to minimize strain on the heart.
• Create a serene environment using soft music or white noise, and provide mental stimulation through interactive toys and puzzles designed for dogs.
• Utilize calming products such as pheromone diffusers or anxiety wraps, and engage in controlled obedience training sessions to manage stress and excitement levels.

Treatment for Heartworm-Positive Dogs

Every dog and every case of heartworm disease is unique, requiring a tailored treatment plan developed by your veterinarian. Typically, the treatment involves the use of injectable medications, with melarsomine and ivermectin being the primary options. Melarsomine, often prescribed under the brand name Immiticide, is used to target adult worms and late-stage larvae, while ivermectin is effective against immature larvae and microfilaria, which are the parasites’ earliest life stages.

For information specific to heartworm treatment in older dogs, consult our dedicated guide.

Additionally, some dogs may require antibiotics to support their recovery from heartworm disease treatment. Your veterinarian will advise you on the best approach and aftercare to ensure the successful treatment of your heartworm-positive dog.

For a detailed breakdown of the costs, learn more here: https://anipetshop.com/dog-care/cost-of-treating-heartworm/

Medication

Melarsomine dihydrochloride is the only active ingredient approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of heartworm disease in dogs, making it a reliable and safe option for eliminating adult heartworms. Along with this medication, your veterinarian may prescribe a heartworm preventative and an antibiotic, such as doxycycline, to weaken the heartworms and enhance the effectiveness of the adulticide injections. Doxycycline is typically given once or twice a day for 1-2 months before the start of the adulticide treatment, overlapping slightly with the injections. It’s important to follow your veterinarian’s instructions regarding the duration of the antibiotic treatment and to monitor for any side effects, such as loss of appetite or vomiting, which may require a different medication.

According to Clinical Veterinary Advisor, the melarsomine injections are usually given in a series: 1 injection initially, then 4 weeks later, 2 more injections given 24 hours apart. Due to the nature of this treatment, most dogs will need to restrict their activity for a total of 8-10 consecutive weeks to ensure a successful recovery and minimize complications.

Keep Your Dog Calm During Heartworm Treatment

After your dog begins heartworm treatment, and until they test negative, it’s crucial to keep them calm and restrict physical activity. The success of the treatment depends on minimizing activities that could raise your dog’s heart rate or blood pressure. If your dog engages in too much physical activity during this period, dead heartworms could accumulate in vital organs, leading to serious or even fatal complications. Therefore, ensuring your dog remains calm and avoids exertion is essential for a safe and effective recovery from heartworm disease treatment.

Replace Activity with Affection

Instead of physical activity, you can spend quality time cuddling with your dog while you’re online, watching TV, or reading to help keep the dog calm. To ensure they stay calm and don’t suddenly dash off, keep a leash or harness on your dog during cuddle sessions.

Keep Them Away from Visitors

Visitors, whether human or animal, can easily excite your dog, which isn’t ideal during heartworm treatment. If your dog tends to bark at passersby, keep them away from windows. While meeting new people might lift your dog’s spirits, it can also lead to excessive excitement, which is not beneficial for their recovery. If avoiding all visitors isn’t possible, place your dog in a room with a door and provide a calming distraction, like music or a television show, to help keep them relaxed.

Stay Indoors

To limit your dog’s activity during heartworm treatment, it’s important to keep them indoors or in a kennel most of the time. Kennel time doesn’t have to be negative—spend time sitting next to your dog, petting them with the kennel door open to provide comfort. In their compromised state, the outdoors could be more harmful than beneficial, so it’s best to keep your dog safely confined to their kennel until your veterinarian advises otherwise. Be sure to spend some quality time with them each day to prevent loneliness and maintain their emotional well-being.

Keep Them on a Leash

During bathroom breaks, always keep your dog on a leash to prevent them from chasing after anything exciting, like a squirrel, which could elevate their heart rate and blood pressure. It’s best to avoid retractable leashes, as they provide less control and too much freedom. Even when taking your dog into your own backyard, keep them on a leash to prevent excessive excitement or physical activity that could cause further harm.

Give Them Something to Chew

Provide your dog with a variety of safe chew toys, such as bones, jerky treats, or rubber ducks. Allowing your dog to chew on their favorite toys helps pass the time and satisfies their natural chewing instinct, which is especially important during bed rest. This can also prevent boredom and reduce the likelihood of destructive behavior. Offering durable chew toys is a great way to keep your dog calm and entertained, ensuring they stay relaxed during their recovery from heartworm disease treatment.

Stretch out Meal Times

Extend your dog’s meal times by placing a portion of their daily food in a hollow chew toy or puzzle feeder. This will keep them occupied for hours as they work to extract the food or treats. During heartworm treatment, it’s important not to overfeed your dog due to reduced physical activity, but you can still use food to bring them some joy. Investing in a food puzzle or other interactive feeding game can engage their mind and help prevent boredom. Additionally, providing fun chew toys in their kennel will keep them mentally stimulated while their body rests.

Restrict Exercise

According to the American Heartworm Society, the following activities should be avoided as soon as your dog is diagnosed with heartworm:

• Running up and down stairs
• Long, brisk walks (replace with shorter, leisurely walks)
• Playing fetch or similar games
• Uncontrolled excitement when answering the door (crate your dog)
• Games of chase
• Jumping on and off furniture
• Sudden bursts of running, also known as “zoomies”

Since heartworm disease affects your dog’s cardiovascular and respiratory systems, limiting physical activity during treatment is crucial. The severity of heartworm disease can range from stage 1, where your dog is infected but asymptomatic, to stage 4, where the heart and lungs are damaged, and the liver is enlarged. Your veterinarian will explain which stage your dog is in, as this determines how much physical activity is safe. To avoid further damage, consider replacing your daily walks with gentle cuddle sessions to help your dog’s body heal properly.

Cage Rest

Cage rest is a fundamental part of heartworm treatment, guaranteeing your dog remains calm and avoids unnecessary stress. Creating a calm environment can significantly help your pup recover from heartworm disease treatment. suitable cage environment is significant. Choose a crate that’s comfortable and spacious enough for your dog to stand, turn around, and lie down. Crate training your dog beforehand can make this change smoother.

Follow duration guidelines set by your veterinarian, which typically range from 30 to 120 days, with an average of 60 days. It’s important to adhere to these recommendations to guarantee effective recovery.

Mental stimulation is key during cage rest. Provide enrichment toys like Kongs or lick mats to keep your dog engaged. These toys can be filled with treats or peanut butter to offer entertainment and mental exercise. Controlled obedience training can also be beneficial. Teach your dog impulse control exercises, such as extended sits or stays, to keep their mind active while minimizing physical exertion.

Social interaction is also essential. Place the crate in an area where your dog can see and be near family members, reducing feelings of isolation. If you have other calm pets, allowing them to be near the crate can provide comfort to your pup during their recovery comfort and companionship.

Keeping Your Heartworm Positive Dog Happy

During Exercise Restriction:

• Take several short leash walks during the cooler parts of the day, limiting each walk to a maximum of 10 minutes at a leisurely pace to help your pup recover.
• Focus on exploration and sniffing activities rather than actual walking. Sniffing is a great enrichment activity that benefits your dog’s nose, brain, and mood, aiding their recovery from heartworm disease treatment. Consider using a snuffle mat for added stimulation.
• Practice obedience training skills indoors or in controlled outdoor environments. A 15-minute training session can be effective in tiring your dog out, as long as they remain calm and don’t get overly excited about food rewards.
• Teach impulse control, such as holding a sit or stay for longer periods until released.
• Use enrichment toys like Kongs, West Paw Qwizl toys, and lick mats to keep your dog mentally engaged.

During Cage Rest for Non-Symptomatic Dogs:

• Continue using enrichment toys to keep your dog entertained.
• Keep training sessions very controlled and stationary.
• Ensure your heartworm-positive dog is crated near other calm dogs to provide a sense of connection and reduce feelings of isolation.
• Allow short breaks for gentle strolls around the yard, encouraging sniffing and quiet exploration.
• Let your dog join you on the sofa or floor for quiet time, keeping them on a leash and tethered to you. Make sure other dogs in the house are also in a calm state to maintain a peaceful environment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a dog walk around the house after heartworm treatment?

If your dog remains calm while indoors, you can allow them to relax freely in the house. However, if your dog is energetic and eager to run and play inside, it’s best to crate them to ensure exercise restrictions are enforced.

Can my dog jump on the couch during heartworm treatment?

If your dog enjoys playing fetch, avoid this activity during the couple of months they need to rest. Additionally, try to limit anything around the house that excites your dog, such as jumping on and off the couch or running around when the doorbell rings.

What Signs of Distress Should I Monitor in My Heartworm Positive Dog?

Monitor your heartworm-positive dog for distress signs like coughing, lethargy, and reduced appetite to ensure they can recover effectively. Keep an eye out for treatment side effects such as vomiting, diarrhea, or injection site swelling. Notice any behavioral changes, including increased anxiety or restlessness. Pain management is critical; observe for signs of discomfort like whining or limping. Track recovery milestones and ensure steady improvement. Always consult your vet if you spot any troubling changes.

Conclusion

Caring for a dog during heartworm treatment requires careful attention and a commitment to following your veterinarian’s guidelines for heartworm prevention. By restricting your dog’s physical activity and administering prescribed medications, you can greatly improve their chances of a full recovery. Additionally, creating a calm and nurturing environment is crucial, as it helps minimize stress and supports healing.

Incorporate gentle activities like short leash walks, mental stimulation through enrichment toys, and quality cuddle time to keep your dog content and engaged without risking their health. Moreover, it’s important to monitor your dog for any signs of distress or complications, and stay in close communication with your veterinarian throughout the treatment process. With the right care and precautions, you can help your dog successfully navigate this challenging time and return to a healthy, happy life.

Learn about effective methods to prevent heartworm in dogs and avoid future infections.

References:

• Lobetti, R., Brianti, E., Cassini, R., Calderini, P., Furlanello, T., Genchi, C., … Antognoni, L. (2021). Tick-borne pathogens in dogs living in different areas of Italy: Seroprevalence and risk factors. PLOS ONE, 16(8), e0255847. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0255847

• American Heartworm Society. (2020). Current canine guidelines for the prevention, diagnosis, and management of heartworm infection in dogs. https://www.heartwormsociety.org/images/pdf/Canine-Guidelines-Summary.pdf