My dog was diagnosed with heartworm at an early stage, and was recommended to be put on geart worm preventative until I decided on what action I would take. I am a college student and money is tight right now and I reserched heartworm treatment for mild casesand found out that dogs with mild heartworm can be treated by using preventative. I am still on the fence about just using the preventative and I still consider just using the vet treatment. Do you have any avice?

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Originally Posted by shivapigford

my dog was diagnosed with heartworm at an early stage, and was reccomended to be put on geart worm preventative until i decided on what action i would take. i am a college student and money is tight right now and i reserched heartworm treatment for mild casesand found out that dogs with mild heartworm can be treated jus by using preventative. i am still on the fence about just using the preventative and i still consider just using the vet treatment. do you have any avice?

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My neighbor's dog died of heartworm, despite treatment. It frightens me.

What is the cost of treatment vs using the preventative? Have you looked for the treatment on line, perhaps an on line site at lower cost?

What does the Vet propose to do by means of treatment?

My opinion... this is something you really want to talk to your vet about. Discuss the pros and cons of both ways, and then decide. Treating heartworm is hard on a dog, and can kill them if the heartworm load is high enough. Not treating the dog aggressively enough can result in a heartworm load that kills the dog, or makes the treatment more dangerous at a later date. So I would be asking how mild is "mild", and what's the risk/benefit ratio of each treatment plan in THIS specific case.

Your vet NEEDS to be an active decision maker in what you, in the end, decide to do.

I knew someone who adopted an older puppy that had heart worms. I believe the treatment was an exaggerated version of the preventative to avoid heart worms. Her dog recovered after a certain period and has gone on to live a good quality of life.

What ever you decide just make sure it's an educated decision. Your dog is lucky to have you and you will do right by this sweet baby...

Perhaps speak to you vet about paying off the bill slowly... so you can afford to do this.

I know I did this when I was tight for cash... and the vet's office did help out. Good luck.

I would talk to your vet what is the best thing to do because my dog passed away from heartworm

I have a dog that survived heartworm. I did the treatment and it was totally worth it to have him sitting next to me all curled up right now. It is expensive (I know I am in college too) but you took on the responsibility of having a dog and this comes with a lot of risks that we don't always realize. Your little guy is worth the trouble so do whatever you need to to save them. Your vet needs to talk with you a lot more and if they aren't being too helpful then it sounds like you may need a new vet.

Just so you know what you are taking on if you do this, it is going to be hard on you and very hard on your dog. They literally have to put poison in their veins to kill the worms. It is a once a month treatment for 4 months (I think 4 you might want to double check that though) and they are down and out and not happy about it for a few days after each treatment. It is super rough, but worth it in the end.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

... Just do right by that sweet thing that loves you and counts on you...

THANKS EVERYONE. I have saved up enough money to pay for the vet treatment, and he will be starting it soon. I hope everything goes well.

Just be sure to follow the vets instructions very carefully. This is a disease and treatment that can kill your dog, so do everything that the vet says. Don't get fooled into thinking "he looks so much better, and he's so bored in the crate, I'll just let him out for a little bit."

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Originally Posted by shivapigford

THANKS EVERYONE. i have saved up enough money to pay for the vet treatment, and he will be starting it soon. i hope everything goes well.

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Good for you - and good for your dog.

I'm so happy to hear that! You are doing the right thing... you'll see.

Speak to your vet about the "prognosis" and your dogs recovery time expected...

That is a good point, he really can't have any activity at all for about a week, even if he seems like he is feeling better after a few days. The treatment can kill him too, not just the disease. Be really careful. It's going to be a tough few months but it will be totally worth it!

Let me know how it is going, I'm in the same position and don't know what to do.

I hope their dog does not have heartworms anymore, this question was asked last year.

Please check the dates before responding to questions :)