Heartworm Treatment

[sleepyjohn]

My dog Waggy came down very sick indeed. I felt he could go downhill fast and rushed him to the vet. It turned out to be a potentially deadly blood parasite infection caught from ticks which he had a treated infestation of in previous weeks. He lost a lot of weight. He stayed in hospital for a week and got quite a lot more cheerful on coming home. After a few days he was walking with me again, although not strongly. He went back for a weekly check and the heartworm test had come back negative, but the vet said one could get a false negative because of the drugs he'd been on.

In previous months I had noticed he had a sort of dry cough occasionally, after which he would be quite normal. I learned this was a possible heartworm symptom. After he came back home we were out and for the first time he started to run. I was very happy until suddenly he stopped, coughed, and half keeled over. He took his time getting up. Later the same thing happened from just following me. That was in the wee hours and he was panting and obviously not right. I nearly went to wake up the vet but took him next morning. It seems heartworm is the candidate, but it cannot be treated until he is in pretty good health and over the other problem (which he isn't yet) because it knocks the system.

This so far is by way of a warning about the two problems he suffered. I have learned, and am amazed, that heartworm treatment whilst risky is pretty successful. I do have a question. I read that after treatment, when they have to be kept very quiet for a few weeks to avoid embolisms from the disintegrating worms, the temperature should not be high, and best under 75 F. As it is hotter than that here can anyone give me the rationale? If it is important perhaps I can arrange something........any suggestions?

Thanx in advance

John

Edited June 4, 2008 by sleepyjohn