Each year, over 100,000 dogs are diagnosed with heartworm. Although being screened prior to taking her in, rescue Winnie was diagnosed with heartworm in May 2022.
So that Winnie can have the best chance at life, Friends of Noah is covering the costs of Winnie’s treatment. Friends of Noah is thankful to Winnie’s foster family for taking on the extra challenges that will come from treating Winnie.
Below are excerpts from Winnie’s veterinarian. You can learn more about heartworm disease, how dogs get it, and the symptoms of heartworm disease in our recent blog: Heartworm and Your Pet.
06/2022: Winnie had her first treatment today. Winnie had her first injection of melarsomine, which is the drug that kills adult heartworms. The injection was given in her lower back on the right side. This injection is commonly painful for dogs, so please be careful with petting her in this area.
Winnie: post injection. Hoping an ice pack will alleviate some of the discomfort.
Winnie is also being sent home with prednisolone, which is a steroid that is meant to minimize any inflammatory effects from the worms being killed by the medication. Her first dose is due tomorrow morning.
Side effects of prednisolone include increased thirst and urination, so Winnie will likely need to go outside to urinate more frequently.
Winnie should also continue to take Triheart (or another monthly heartworm prevention) once every 30 days.
Please watch for side effects of treatment including excess coughing or panting, fever, or any nosebleeds.
Winnie must be strictly kept from exercise, as exercise can increase her risk of side effects from heartworm treatment significantly. She must be kept on a leash outside at all times, and only go outside to go to the bathroom. Inside, she should be kept in a crate or confined to a small room to prevent running and jumping. Utilizing an activity such as a ‘food puzzles’ can help to keep the pet occupied during this time.
Winnie will need two more injections of this medication - one in 30 days, and the next one the day following this.
One month after these injections, we will draw blood again to verify that the presence of microfilaria (juvenile heartworm larvae) has resolved.
The average cost of treating heartworm in dogs is $1000. Friends of Noah is a 501(C)3 so all donations are tax deductible. We hope you’ll consider making a donation on our donation page♥
8/16/2022: Winnie is heartworm negative!!
Thank you to all who sent well wishes and contributed to her care ♥ Before Winnie is ready for adoption, she still needs to be spayed so look for to become available sometime in September! As you can see - she is doing great!
9/2022
Winnie has found her fur-ever family! Congratulations to all ♥