How to Care for a Dog During Heartworm Treatment

Caring for a dog during heartworm treatment requires careful attention to their physical and emotional needs to ensure a full and safe recovery. After treatment—or until your dog tests negative for heartworm—the top priority is keeping them calm and restricting exercise. Successful treatment depends on avoiding any activity that could significantly raise your dog’s heart rate or blood pressure. Physical exertion can cause dead heartworms to accumulate in vital organs, leading to potentially fatal blockages or damage. By focusing on creating a tranquil environment and managing activity levels, you can help your dog heal effectively and avoid complications.

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.

Limit Physical Activity

Heartworm disease directly impacts your dog’s cardiovascular and respiratory systems, making rest a critical part of the recovery process. Throughout treatment, it’s essential to significantly restrict your dog’s physical activity to prevent strain on the heart and lungs. The severity of heartworm disease ranges from stage 1, where symptoms are minimal, to stage 4, where severe damage to the heart, lungs, and liver has occurred. Your veterinarian will assess your dog’s condition and provide specific guidance on safe activity levels.

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”

For many dogs, even a routine walk might pose a risk during treatment. Instead of physical exertion, consider substituting playtime or walks with gentle activities like cuddle sessions or calm mental stimulation games. This rest period ensures that your dog’s body can focus entirely on healing without further complications. Prioritizing your pet’s comfort and avoiding undue strain helps support their journey back to health.

Limit Excitement for a Successful Recovery

Helping your dog remain calm and relaxed during heartworm treatment is essential for her recovery. While it may feel difficult to restrict her from favorite activities, excitement and physical exertion can significantly strain her already compromised heart and lungs. Adopting a calm and controlled environment ensures her body has the best chance to heal fully.

Minimize Visitor Interactions

Although visitors might lift your dog’s spirits, their presence can lead to excitement that is detrimental during treatment. Overstimulation can place undue stress on her cardiovascular system, slowing down her recovery. If visitors are unavoidable, consider setting up a quiet, private space for your dog. A room with a closed door and calming background noise, like soft music or a gentle television program, can help distract her while keeping her environment tranquil.

Avoid Outdoor Exploration

For many dogs, the outdoors are an invitation for exploration and excitement, but during heartworm treatment, these adventures can do more harm than good. Even brief exposure can overstimulate her, making it crucial to limit outdoor activities. Confining your dog to a comfortable kennel indoors, where she feels safe and secure, helps prevent unnecessary stress.  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.

Cage Rest

Following melarsomine injections, your veterinarian will likely instruct you to confine your dog to a crate, cage, or small pen for most of the recovery phase. This confinement reduces the risk of excessive movement, which could dislodge heartworm fragments and cause a pulmonary embolism—a potentially fatal complication. The duration of cage rest varies but typically lasts between 30 to 120 days, with 60 days being the most common for many dogs.

To maintain your dog’s health during recovery:

• Limit walks strictly to potty breaks: Keep these strolls short and limited to a calm area in your yard.
• Stop all play and training: Activities that excite or encourage physical exertion should be avoided entirely.
• Prevent free-roaming: Your dog should not be allowed to move freely inside the house or yard during this phase.
• Manage other pets: If you have multiple dogs, ensure the activity level of the other pets in the home is also controlled to avoid overstimulation of the recovering dog.

Heartworm fragments breaking down inside the body can trigger inflammation or blockages in blood vessels if your dog’s activity level is too high. Cage rest and limited activity keep your pet’s heart and lungs from being overworked, significantly reducing the risk of complications.

Control Bathroom Breaks

Even short trips outside for bathroom breaks should be managed carefully. Always use a leash, even within your backyard, to ensure your dog remains calm and avoids sudden bursts of energy. Controlled bathroom breaks help reduce the risk of further physical strain while maintaining her comfort and safety.

By creating a calm, structured environment and reducing your dog’s exposure to excitement or exertion, you’re supporting her body in its recovery and ensuring she has the best chance for a full, healthy return to her normal self.

Use Food as a Distraction  

During heartworm treatment, keeping your dog mentally stimulated is just as important as managing his physical activity. While your pup needs to rest his body, his mind still craves engagement. Using food creatively can provide a sense of joy and distraction, making the recovery period more pleasant without compromising his health.

Since your dog’s physical activity will be restricted during treatment, it’s crucial to monitor his food intake to avoid weight gain. Overfeeding can lead to additional strain on his body, which is already working hard to recover. However, this doesn’t mean food can’t be part of the fun. Offering the right types of interactive feeding experiences ensures your dog stays entertained while adhering to a controlled diet.

Investing in food puzzles or other interactive food games is a great way to keep your dog’s mind engaged during meals. These activities not only prevent boredom but also encourage slower, more deliberate eating, which can be beneficial for digestion. Additionally, filling his kennel with fun chew toys can provide long-lasting entertainment, allowing him to stay busy while resting. By balancing mental stimulation with dietary care, you can support your dog’s recovery and overall well-being during heartworm treatment.

Long-Term Management of Heartworm Disease in Dogs

Heartworm disease can pose significant risks to a dog’s health, but with proper treatment and ongoing care, dogs affected by this condition can live full, healthy lives. Understanding the potential challenges and necessary precautions is essential for long-term management, especially if you’re considering adopting a dog with a history of heartworm disease.

Risks and Treatment Outcomes

If the dog you’re adopting has not yet undergone treatment, it’s crucial to recognize that heartworm treatment carries some inherent risks. Adverse reactions, such as shock, blood clots, or, in rare cases, sudden death, can occur during the treatment process. The severity of the disease when diagnosed heavily influences the prognosis. Early detection and intervention significantly improve the likelihood of a successful outcome, underscoring the importance of prompt medical attention.

Life After Successful Treatment

Dogs that have been successfully treated for heartworm disease often recover fully and go on to become loving and active companions. If no permanent damage has occurred to the heart, lungs, or other organs, the primary focus shifts to preventing reinfection. With careful management and routine care, most treated dogs experience no ongoing issues related to the disease.

See Article: How To Prevent Heartworm Disease in Puppies

Preventive Measures for Long-Term Health

To ensure your pet’s continued well-being, establish a robust heartworm prevention plan:

• Year-Round Preventive Medication: Administer veterinarian-approved heartworm preventatives consistently throughout the year to protect against reinfection.
• Regular Veterinary Check-Ups: Schedule annual heartworm tests, even if your dog is on preventive medication, to ensure their protection remains effective.
• Routine Health Monitoring: Pay close attention to any changes in your dog’s behavior, appetite, or energy levels, as these could indicate lingering effects or new health concerns.

Emotional and Physical Care

Recovery from heartworm disease requires not only physical care but also emotional support:

• Provide a stable environment: Dogs recovering from heartworm treatment or living with its aftereffects thrive in calm, predictable settings.
• Offer appropriate exercise: After the treatment and rest period, gradually reintroduce physical activity under veterinary guidance to rebuild strength without overexertion.
• Stay informed: Educate yourself about heartworm prevention and management to make informed decisions for your pet’s health.

A Bright Future for Recovered Dogs

Adopting a dog with a history of heartworm disease is a commitment to providing ongoing care, but the rewards are immeasurable. With diligent preventive measures and regular health monitoring, these dogs can enjoy long, active lives. Their resilience and capacity for love make them wonderful companions who thrive with the care and attention they deserve.

By understanding the long-term implications and staying proactive, you’ll not only ensure your dog’s health but also deepen the bond you share as they recover and flourish in their new life.

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.

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