[kaznerm]

We adopted a wonderful dog from a shelter that was heartworm positive. She continues on medication but still has a horrible cough and can't put my finger on it, but it's just a feeling that she doesn't feel well.

Does anyone have any experience with heartworm positive dogs.
Maria

[CFrance]

I have never had personal experience with heartworm. But I do know that the earlier it is caught, the milder the case and the shorter the recovery time. The other thing I know is that keeping the dog inactive is very important. In severe cases, they should be crated to avoid activity.

Have you consulted a vet, or are you just following the shelter's instructions? If the latter, I would take your dog to a vet for another opinion.

[vbsheriff]

I work police K-9 for five years. After the dog retired to me he was diagnosed with heart worms at age ten. The vet said treatment was a 50/50 proposition and could be fatal. I decided against treatment and the dog lived another seven years. I realize this is antidotal.

[Rosie1950]

Originally Posted by kaznerm

We adopted a wonderful dog from a shelter that was heartworm positive. She continues on medication but still has a horrible cough and can't put my finger on it, but it's just a feeling that she doesn't feel well.

Does anyone have any experience with heartworm positive dogs.
Maria

As a groomer for over 30 years I have had much experience with heart worm positive dogs. It is a serious condition. Your pet is going through a tough time right now. You should refrain from a lot of extra activity even when your pet seems fine. (away from town square and in a lot of the heat of the day. Out to potty and back in the house) The worms in your pets heart can kill her. Excitement can be dangerous for her. Most reputable groomers will not GROOM her while she is undergoing treatment. Please do NOT be upset with the groomers this is in the best interest of your pet. If you have more questions certainly call your vet, they should have explained all this to you, it could take some time for the worms to die off and your pet to be better. This depends on the treatment choice. Remember they are giving your dog poison to kill these worms. your dog should be kept as quite as possible. Consider your dog as having a heart condition as long as she is being treated. As soon as she is released from treatment she will be great as good as new. You have to get there first. All the best to you and your new best friend Bless you for adopting.

[GeoGeo]

Bless you for adopting a heartworm positive dog. I have never had one, but I was told that the dog has to be inactive. Being active can kill the dog. It is a very curable disease. Rescues successfully treat dogs all the time.

Here is a link to the American Heartworm Society. If you can't find your answers there and have a specific question, I will be glad to contact someone else in the rescue I volunteer for and see what they say.

American Heartworm Society - Heartworm Positive Dogs

[n8xwb]

We adopted a dog that was heartworm positive, supposedly treated once, but had to be treated a second time before she was negative. You need to speak with a vet BECAUSE GIVING HER/HIM THE WRONG HEARTWORM MEDICINE WILL KILL HER! Most heartworm preventive meds are just that....they will prevent the disease but not meant to treat it. If the dog is given one of these, the worms die, but will kill the animal. Please speak with a vet.

[retiredguy123]

You should never give a heartworm positive dog heartworm preventive medicine. That will make the condition worse. The dog needs to be treated by a vet who will prescribe poison that will kill the worms. Heartworms are long skinny worms that invade and feed on the dog's heart and slowly kill the dog. But it can be cured.

[fromHHDS]

Coughing can also have many causes unrelated to the HWs such as a kennel cough, collapsing trachea, etc. As far as the severity of the damage to the heart caused by the HWs and subsequent lung issues, you would need to see a vet who can diagnose my listening to the chest, x-rays and ultrasound. I recommend Dr Merritt and Dr. Veins at 352-753-5333

[Railcruiser]

Our adoptee was also positive. After long treatment she got better. Shewas on steroids for the cough. I think for about 6 months. That was almost7 years ago. She's now 12 years old and going strong.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by kaznerm

We adopted a wonderful dog from a shelter that was heartworm positive. She continues on medication but still has a horrible cough and can't put my finger on it, but it's just a feeling that she doesn't feel well.
Does anyone have any experience with heartworm positive dogs.

Thank you for adopting a Shelter dog that is heartworm positive. Bless you.
Like other posters, I suggest that you take your dog ASAP to a Vet.

[CFrance]

I'm wondering if your dog could also have kennel cough. Perhaps the cough is not related to the heartworm problem.

[RichardWalker]

I adopted a 3 year old shepherd mix with heart worm. She was cured. She had no further treatment other than the initial treatment. It cost about $300.00 She did not have a cough afterwards. Take her to the vet and God bless you.

[retiredguy123]

My wife was a veterinarian. She had a glass jar in her office that contained a real dog's heart with heartworms. There were about 30-40 worms, some about 6 inches long, that had almost totally blocked the large blood vessels. That jar was my wife's best sales tool to sell heartworm treatments.