My Dog Has Heart Worms, What Should I Do?
I got a 2 year old Miniature Schnauzer 3 weeks ago named Molly. We took her in because her former owner couldn’t take care of her anymore.
We just found out that she has heavy heart worms and that she isn’t fixed. I was wondering if she could get spayed even though she has heavy heart worms?
July 13th, 2010 at 9:52 am
the vet will let you know. But i would try to get the heartworms fixed before getting her fixed.
July 13th, 2010 at 10:22 am
That is probably best to be discussed with your vet. The vet may want to treat the heartworms first before spaying.
July 13th, 2010 at 4:56 pm
Take her to the vet on Monday. The vet can better advise you.
Edit: Nah, better yet, take her to the Emergency Vet NOW. She might be dead by Monday.
July 13th, 2010 at 6:57 pm
Give her (heartguard) it gets rid of heart worms its the best medicine for that type of thing. but to administer it you have to take the dog to the vet so it can check its heart and prescribe it.
July 13th, 2010 at 10:39 pm
Talk to your vet and SOON!
July 13th, 2010 at 11:02 pm
Generally, most vets will treat the heartworms first before spaying the dog. Consult with your vet on the best option and best of luck.
July 14th, 2010 at 1:33 am
our dog had heart worms too so we gave him tis pet alive pills (i think that is what theyre called) but the point is he doesnt have heart worms anymore! its cheap and it works
July 14th, 2010 at 7:19 am
“The cure is harsh, expensive but good. It costs about $400 and they will give him a poison that will kill the heartworms. I don’t think the poison is too harmful to the dog, but the dead heartworms are a problem. So you have to keep the dog fairly calm and quiet, so that he does not exert himself and get clogging problems from the dead worms. The dog’s immune system can slowly process the worms, but it takes a few weeks. Talk ot the vet about the cure.
If you cannont afford it, talk to the vet about time paments, to the SPCA, Humane society, and others about some help.”
July 14th, 2010 at 11:09 am
Heartguard or any other preventative will not work, it’s too late, the dog has adult heartworm.
She cannot be spayed she is gravely ill.
There is a treatment for heartworm infestation, but it is risky. Often a dog in this condition will have a hard time tolerating the poison that kills the adult heartworm.
Ivermectin (active ingredient in heartworm medicines) only works on the larva of heartworm or microfilirae. Adult heartworms are huge…
She needs veterinarian only or PTS.
July 14th, 2010 at 1:48 pm
First, treating heart worm is very expensive. In California it can cost up to $1,000.00. So, if you cannot afford it, this is a major consideration. Second getting a dog spayed is not expensive and this service is offered through low cost spay and neuter clinics. So, if you plan on keeping this dog, get her spayed before her next heat and treat the heart worms.
After she is heart worm free, make sure to give her heart worm medication every month to prevent reoccurrence.
Also, there is new information on new treatment methods for heart worm and I suggest do an Internet search to find out more before making that major financial decision.
July 14th, 2010 at 2:49 pm
talk to your vet. they can answer your questions best as they know her conditons. luckily, when my dog got heartworms, she was already fixed, so i did not have to go thru 2 problems at once, and i learned my lesson the hard way about heartworms. so, i make sure my dog has it every month. but the treatment means that you need to keep her quiet and calm during it as it is very hard on them (won’t go into it as the vet will explain it, if you don’t learn here). thank you for taking her in, you are showing that you are a better pet owner than the previous one – who did not have her fixed or on heartworm meds. good luck
July 14th, 2010 at 3:34 pm
How did you find out your dog has heart worms? Did a vet tell you this after doing a test? If they did they surely suggested what needs to be done. But, if you have not taken her to a vet and are self diagnosing, then by all means, take your schnauzer to a vet immediately and let him/her determine what course of action should be taken.
Heart worms is such a very painful way for a dog to die…don’t worry about getting her spayed! Worry instead about getting the heart worm problem fixed, if it isn’t too late already!