Most of the time having a big heart would be considered a good thing, but not when the cause is heartworms. In 2021 we had 10 dogs that were heartworm positive and we continue to see that number rise annually. Treatment is a costly medical expense that can be up to $900 per dog depending on the severity of their condition.
There are two different treatments for heartworm positive dogs, a slow-kill and a fast kill method. The slow-kill method involves giving routine heartworm preventative, which kills the microfilaria- the offspring of adult heartworms, while allowing the adults to live out their life cycle. Depending on the “worm load” this process could take over a year for a dog to test negative. The “fast-kill” method, while not much faster is generally the preferred – and more expensive- choice. This involves three doses of injectable medication over a month-long period. It is so important that all dogs who test heartworm positive have restricted activity, since their blood flow is reduced due to the worm load, overexertion could lead to a heart attack or sudden death. We heavily rely on fosters and donors for these dogs. No dog should have to spend years in the shelter system while receiving a physically taxing treatment.
We currently have four dog undergoing heartworm treatment with an estimated cost of $3,600 needed in care. You can help support these medical cost by donating to Glynda's HEART (Help Each Animal Receive Treatment) which helps ensure every animal has the opportunity for a long and healthy life.