Non-Herbal Heartworm Treatment
Please do your own research on your options for
heartworm treatment for your pet. We cannot prescribe for you.
Currently
the older form of arsenic treatment has
been discontinued among vets for the
more favorable use of Immiticide
given as an intramuscular-administered drug.
This is still
an arsenic-containing drug which offers
this information online at drug or veterinary
sites:
Side Effects
May see pain, swelling, and tenderness at the injection site or reluctance to
move due to pain at injection site. Firm nodules can persist indefinitely. May
also see coughing, gagging, depression, lethargy, lack of appetite, fever, lung
congestion, and vomiting. Less commonly seen are excessive drooling, panting,
diarrhea, coughing up blood, abnormal heart rhythms, and death.
Contraindications/Warnings
• Not for use in dogs with Class 4 disease until the heartworms are
removed surgically from the vena cava (large vein carrying blood back to the heart)
as the risk of death is increased.
• Animals with other diseases should be treated only with intense monitoring.
• Death of the worms may cause coughing, fever, or weakness.
• The dog must be kept quiet (cage rest) for 4-6 weeks after treatment to
help decrease the risk of pulmonary embolism.
* Repeat
the antigen heartworm test 4 months after
treatment.
* Treating
the heartworm disease may kill the pet,
but if not treated, the heartworm disease
is likely to kill the pet.
* Use with
caution in pregnant or nursing animals
if unable to wait until a later date
to treat.
Overdose/Toxicity
Low margin of safety. Need to have an accurate weight before treating. May
see damage to the lungs or kidneys. May see drooling, panting, restlessness, fever,
vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, lethargy, staggering, and difficulty breathing which
may progress to collapse, coma, and death. A possible antidote for an overdose
is BAL in Oil Ampules (Dimercaprol Injection, USP). It is listed in reports as
an antidote for arsenic toxicity. Contact your veterinarian or the Animal Poison
Control Center if you think your pet may have accidentally received or been given
an overdose of the medication.
Ivermectin is another drug that is generally used
three weeks after the heartworm treatment to eliminate the microfilarae. Ivermectin
has specific actions on increased release of gamma amino butyric acid (GABA).
GABA is a naturally-ocurring inhibitory neurotransmitter. Mammals are *usually*
unaffected because ivermectin does not cross into our central nervous system easily.
But when it does, it can show neurotoxic signs because GABA is also important
in brain tissue. Neurotoxicity in mammals can include listlessness, lethargy,
uncoordination, disorientation, tremors, pupillary dilitation, weakness, agitation,
blindness, head-pressing, and death.
Do your homework for the benefit of your dog.
We are not telling you not to use drug treatments, but to be informed so you can
make an informed choice. You have to feel comfortable with whatever you choose
and your pet will need you feeling sure of your choice.
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