heart worm

[Snuggles]

Latley we got a call from the vet that my three and a half year old Toy poodle has heart worm. It isn't very bad yet since we take him to the vet for a physical every year and that is how we found out. He has not showed any symptoms yet. The vet said that his heart sounds okay. We do not understand how he got it since we have been giving him a preventative since We got him when he was 8 weeks old. Now what I am wondering is does any body know exactly what the treatment consist of, the doctor won't tell us exactly and will he get very sick for a while? Also will he need some one home for any amount of time, we do keep him in a cage when we are not home? Also does any body know how much the treatment will cost?
Thanks

['too crazy]

Snuggles, Welcome to the board even though it's not under the best of circumstances. I am pretty sure the affected dog gets doses of arsenic for the treatment. (please someone, correct me if I'm wrong) I know it sounds scarey but the other alternative is death. And of course the vets know how much to give. I've heard the recovery rate is good if caught early. As to the rest of your questions, I don't have any answers but sit tight, someone will have answers for you. Good luck and I'll say a prayer for your little guy. Keep us posted. Sherry

[DaisyJRT]

I believe that is true. They have to poison the dog, enough to get poison flowing through the blood. That is what will kill the worms. What heartworm preventation do you use? I would ask your vet how long he/she think your dog has had heartworms. I know that my vet tests dogs bi annually. The dog will get very sick from the "treatment". It will take a while before she is recovered....but it's either that or she dies.

[Snuggles]

We put revolution on him. The vet said he got it some time within the last year and 4 months, because we test him yearly, and the 4 months is because they don't show up in the blood tests for 4 months or until they become adult worms.

Since my original response we had gotten him x-rayed. The vet said that it is not that bad the only damage to the organs is a little thickening. On wednesday he is going to start the first injection and thursday will be the next.

[maryann]

Our daughter's collie had heartworm this year. They did treat it with injections.

After the initial injection, the dog stayed at the vets for 5 days, and when she came home, she had to be kept quiet --no running, etc. I can't remenber how many other injections she had

Sadie is fine now.

['too crazy]

Well good luck Snuggles. It sounds like you caught it in time but the cure isn't going to be fun for either of you. Give the little guy a hug from me and keep us posted on how he's feeling.

[stop_testing]

Hi, You are very Lucky, even though snuggles has heartworms, you caught it early. :) My dog was just 5 years old, when i found out he had h.worms, and we found out too late. His heart was extremely large, and he would lose control over his body. They treated him w/the arsenic injections, but he died a year later. :(
I was very grateful i had him atleast 1 more year though... He was the best dog. ( a Chinese Pug )

[Snuggles]

Thanks for all you help, Last week he got the shots and he has been him self since. Thank you