TREATING HEARTWORM

Many of the dogs rescued from New Orleans have heartworm and will need follow up medical treatment for anyone who is going to foster or adopt them.

The American Heartworm Society has posted their recommended course of treatment for the animal victims of Hurricane Katrina.

 

Heartworm is not contagious directly from animal to animal.  Heartworm is transferred by mosquitoes.  If a mosquitoe bites a Heartworm Postive animal, then bites a healthy animal, the Heartworm disease can be transferred this way.  Even though Los Angeles does not have very many mosquitoes, I am still treating all of my own pets with heartworm preventative medication, because many of the Katrina animals are now living out here.

 

If you are not sure if your own pets may be at risk in your region, please talk to your vet.  The heartworm preventative is not that expensive and certainly worth the peace of mind.  

 

If you have rescued any animals from Hurricane Katrina and are treating them for Heartworm, check out the  AAHA Helping Pets Fund that is providing financial assistance for veterinary treatment of heartworm disease in pets displaced by Hurricane Katrina.  There is a lot of fine print and specific dates, as well as paperwork that you have to provide - but well worth the effort if you can get up to $500 of your heartworm expenses reimbursed (your vet has to submit this on your behalf).

Here are other tips I've read about on the internet - from other rescuers.   Please send me an email if there is anything you think I should add.

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Ivermectin treatment is the traditional treatment for heartworm, and can run anywhere from $200 on up.

There is an alternative treatment for heartworm for anyone who is interested in using supportive rather than allopathic methods. There is both a cost advantage, and an advantage of the treatment

being much easier on and supportive to the animal in going this route. It is completely safe for Collies (who are ivermectin sensitive) as well as for elderly dogs, and those with other heart problems which could be compromised by chemical treatment. Veterinarian Dr Charles Loops, DVM is in North Carolina, but he can work with you thru telephone consultation - and - in fact - as a homeopathic specialist - does so frequently. Dr Loops is very well known in "alternative medicine" circles, and is considered one of the top veterinary homeopaths in the country. He's written numerous articles for veterinary and health

publications, so you may well already familiar with him to this extent. His phone number is 919-542-0442

Those of you who wish may feel free to tell him that I recommended his services. I have been a client of his for

many years.

One of the tenets of the alternative treatment is the use of Black Walnut Hull Extract. There is an herbalist in

Northern California who makes this from her own organic garden, and sells it at a reduced price to anyone treating a heartworm positive dog. (anyone who would like her contact information can email me)

Terry

Chekia Dog Rescue

avondell@juno.com

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DoubleTMal@aol.com