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Get the Worms Out - Treatment for heartworm
infection is critical, though risky. by Mary Straus Editor’s note: In last month’s article “Heartworm: Don’t Take It Lightly,” Mary Straus discussed the life cycle of the heartworm, and how it infects dogs. She also discussed heartworm prevention strategies. This month, she explains treatment for dogs who are already infected with heartworm. Whether or not you choose to use conventional heartworm preventatives, there is always the possibility that you may one day find yourself with a heartworm-positive dog, and be faced with the decision of how to treat her. Unfortunately, there is no one right answer when it comes to heartworm treatment. Decisions must be tailored to the individual dog, taking into account both the extent of the heartworm infestation, and the dog’s overall age, activity level, and health. There are a number of reasons why someone may have a dog who is heartworm-positive. One of the most common is adopting a dog from a rescue organization. Especially in the South where heartworm is ubiquitous, most dogs that are not given heartworm preventative regularly will test positive for heartworm. To read the whole article and see the list of approved dog foods pick up your own copy of The Whole Dog Journal at The Brookside Barkery and Bath or have it delivered to your home by subscribing on The Whole Dog Journal website. This article is Copyright 2006, Belvoir Media Group, LLC. |