PDF Standard Heartworm Treatment at ABR

Standard Heartworm Treatment at ABR

ABR uses Paces Ferry Veterinary Clinic (Paces) for all heartworm treatment.

Prior to Treatment

Paces Ferry wants the dog to be otherwise healthy and of sufficient weight, i.e. emaciated dogs need to put on some weight. Dogs with kennel cough should have been treated for the illness prior to beginning heartworm treatment. Paces Ferry also requests that spay/neuter be completed before heartworm treatment is administered, but this may occur the day before treatment in a single three day visit to Paces. Once the dog is healthy and of sufficient weight, the appointment for the injections can be scheduled.

Is my dog ready for heartworm treatment? If the answer to these questions is yes, your dog is ready and you can schedule your appointment with Paces Ferry Veterinary Clinic.

1. Has my dog been through the initial intake exam (including fecal, shots, and exam)?

2. Has any medical condition such as infections or surgeries been treated? 3. Have you documented any lumps or bumps that need to be addressed? 4. Has the dog been spayed/neutered, or will be at time of treatment? 5. Has the dog been in my home for 7-10 days? 6. Has your dog been on Doxycycline for at least 14 days?

Scheduling Appointments

Paces Ferry schedules heartworm treatment appointments Monday through Thursday. The dog will spend the night at Paces. They should be dropped off in the morning by 8:30am. Transportation arrangements can be made if you need help getting them to or from the vet. Contact our Foster Coordinator (foster@) for transport assistance. Paces Ferry's hours are 8am-6pm.

The dog can eat and drink normally prior to their appointment, unless they are being spayed, neutered or having other surgery in the same visit. If this is the case please do not give any food after 10:00 pm. Please allow access to water.. You may choose to leave a toy or something familiar with the dog as well as some food since they will be spending a night or two. The dog should be picked up between 4pm and 6pm on the second day of heartworm treatment. If your dog is getting altered at the same time, it will be a two night stay.

Atlanta Boxer Rescue, Inc. info@ 678-826-9373

Heartworm Treatment & Medications

Atlanta Boxer Rescue uses the method recommended by and approved by Paces Ferry Veterinary Clinic for rescue dogs.

The dog is first given a topical dose of Vectra to repel and kill mosquitos. Then the first adulticide injection is given, and 24 hours later, the second injection. These injections of either Diroban (melarsomine dihydrochloride) or Immiticide kill all of the adult heartworms. Heartgard Plus (Ivermectin) kills the baby heartworms aka microfilariae, but not the adults.

ABR dogs should be on Doxycycline for 14 days before receiving Immiticide injection. Studies show this greatly reduces lung side effects. When released, the dog will have Doxycycline for 14 additional days. The normal dosage is 10mg/kg of dog twice a day. We generally have this on hand or keep a bottle at Paces Ferry, but if you have a written prescription that needs filled, use to find the cheapest prices.

Your foster dog will also come home with Gabapentin (10mg/kg twice a day for 1 week) and Prednisone (.5mg/kg for 4 weeks, twice a day for 1 week, once a day on the second week, and every other day for weeks 3 and 4.) Gabapentin will help with any pain associated with the treatment and Prednisone is used to decrease the inflammation from the dying heartworms. IMPORTANT: If your dog has been on Rimadyl, wait at least 48 hours to begin Prednisone. Please inform us before treatment if your dog has been given an NSAID (Rimadyl, Carprofen, Novox or any generic NSAID form).

Crate Rest - IMPORTANT

Once your foster comes home, he/she will be on crate rest for 6 weeks and slowly resume normal exercise after the 6 weeks rest. This is extremely important because an increased heartrate can cause the dying worms to break off in the blood stream and cause a pulmonary embolism which can kill the dog. Dogs should only go out for quick breaks on a leash and then be brought back in the house. If your dog is calm, they can sit with you out of the crate, but don't let them pace to the point of increased heart rate. They must be crated when you leave the house. Please contact ABR if you are having trouble keeping your dog crated as there may be tips, tricks, or medicines we can try.

When to Worry

Contact your vetting coordinator with any concerns, such as coughing, especially a deep or continuous cough, vomiting, shortness of breath, or pain. Our foster coordinator or any board member can answer questions as well.

What Preventions can I use?

Paces recommends that Nexgard? or Frontline? be used for flea and tick control. Any heartworm prevention can be used

Atlanta Boxer Rescue, Inc. info@ 678-826-9373

after treatment.

When will the dog test negative for Heartworms?

Approximately 9 months after treatment is completed, the dog will need a heartworm test to confirm that all heartworms have been eliminated. If at 9 months the dog still tests positive for heartworms and has been on a monthly preventative, ABR will send them back to Paces Ferry for another treatment. IMPORTANT: As soon as the dog receives a negative test at their vet, the adopter should purchase a 12 month supply of heartworm preventative from their veterinarian that day. Make sure that the vet selling it says that it is backed by a guarantee from the product manufacturer. The manufacturer guarateeing the product will cover treatment if the dog turns up positive again. This is the only way that heartworm treatment will be covered after receiving a negative test. Most online dealers do not offer this guarantee, so please be sure to educate your adopters so that they purchase these preventatives from a reputable veterinarian that will back their products.

Atlanta Boxer Rescue, Inc. info@ 678-826-9373

Variations in Treatment

Occasionally there are some variations made in the treatment course. This is determined by our vets if needed. High Risk Dogs Some dogs with a very heavy load of mature heartworms will be riskier to treat with the normal two injection method. These dogs will receive one shot and then thirty days later, receive their second and third shots. Dogs Needing Surgery If your dog is having a spay/neuter surgery or mass removal the day before the heartworm treatment starts, he/she may come home with Rimadyl instead of Prednisone, as prednisone can delay tissue healing after surgery. Prednisone cannot be taken in conjuction with any NSAID so please inform our veterinarians of any medication your dog has been taking or have been prescribed.

Questions

If you have questions about heartworms or treatment, please ask your vetting coordinator or foster coordinator.

Thank you!

Heartworms are a huge problem in the state of Georgia and especially for dogs that find themselves in rescue. We greatly appreciate your help in getting them through this critical time so that they can go on to live healthy happy lives afterwards!

Rev. 5/15/2019

Atlanta Boxer Rescue, Inc. info@ 678-826-9373

Battling Boredom: Tips for Surviving Cage Rest

Exercise is a serious "no-no" when your dog is undergoing treatment for heartworm infection, so keeping your dog quiet and calm is essential. The following tips can help you navigate this challenging but crucial time period.

What does the treatment for heartworm infection involve? After your dog has been diagnosed with heartworm infection, he will likely be given a series of different medications. One of these medications is an adulticide that kills the adult heartworms in your dog's bloodstream. Your veterinarians will administer several injections of this medication over a period of a month. From the first injection until six to eight weeks following the last injection, it will be absolutely essential to keep your dog quiet. That means strictly restricting all exercise and activity that would elevate your dog's heart rate or increase his blood pressure.

Why does my dog need to be kept quiet during heartworm treatment? Killing the heartworms that live in the dog's bloodstream is essential to restoring your dog's health, but at the same time, the death of the worms--which can grow to be a foot long or longer--poses risks. When heartworms die, pieces of the decomposing worm bodies can block blood vessels in the lungs, causing a potentially fatal pulmonary embolism (blood clot). If the dog's heart rate is increased by exercise or excitement, the worm pieces can be forced into the tiny blood vessels of the lungs, increasing the chances of complications.

How much do I need to restrict my dog's exercise-- and how do I keep him happy? Keep your dog indoors and/or in a kennel most of the time. When he needs to go outside to relieve himself, keep his leash on, so that a sudden encounter with a squirrel or other distraction doesn't send him running.

Here are several other tips to consider:

? Give him companionship. Social interaction is key to your dog's behavioral health. Replace activity with affection by keeping him close to you while you watch TV or read. Avoid visitors of both the two-legged and four-legged variety. You may also want to keep your dog away from windows if he's prone to barking when he sees passersby.

? Make mealtime last. There's no need for quick meals, so try feeding toys like Kongs or puzzle feeders that require your dog to quietly play for hours in order to extract food or treats.

? Let him chew. Dogs that are bored can be destructive to themselves or their environment. Longlasting, safe chew toys can channel this behavior and help keep your confined dog happy.

? Train the brain. New tricks and games that keep your dog's brain busy and body rested are perfect for eliminating boredom. Try a game of stationary catch or use a clicker to train him to follow quiet commands while he's in his crate.

Keeping your treated dog calm and quiet is one of the most important responsibilities a pet owner has during heartworm treatment. Talk to your veterinarian about when increased activity can be reintroduced and take a gradual approach to resuming exercise and activity.

Think 12 is a registered trademark of the American Heartworm Society.



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