Heartworm treatments.... best course

[justTess]

I recently adopted a 2-3 year old Siberian Husky and terrier Mix.  They were tested positive for heartworms at the shelter using a blood test that looks for heartworm larva.

They are both scheduled for immeticide on Monday and Wendesday.   I'm getting worried.  I read that this treatment may result in death while the adult heartworms decompose inside of the dogs' boddies.  Is there a way to test how many adult heartworms are present in the heart to see if a slow kill method would be a better choice?

The vet at the shelter had mentioned that the she did not think they had too many adult heartworms because of their age.  Death is always a risk.  Am I gambling with their lives?

[Aleda M Cheng, D.V.M., C.V.A]

The only ways to check for the adult worms are with an echocardiogram, or with an MRI of the heart.  If money is no object than having an echocardiogram performed may set your mind at ease.  An MRI would cost over $1000.00 each.


I think it is less of a gamble to treat them for heartworm disease than to leave the heartworms there to damage their hearts.

Anaphylaxis reaction from the dying worms is a possibility, but I am sure your vet will do everything possible to prevent or to treat such a reaction.

[justTess]

Thank you for your advice.  

Both of my dogs are now having their treatment.  So far so good.