1. **Preventive Medications**: The best way to deal with heartworms is to prevent them altogether. Monthly heartworm preventives, such as ivermectin, milbemycin oxime, or selamectin, are highly effective when given regularly.
2. **Adulticide Treatment**: For dogs diagnosed with heartworm, the primary treatment is an adulticide, which is a medication that kills adult heartworms. The most commonly used adulticide is melarsomine dihydrochloride. This treatment is usually administered through a series of injections over a period of time. Your veterinarian will monitor your dog closely during this process.
3. **Supportive Care**: While undergoing treatment, dogs may require supportive care to manage symptoms and improve their health. This can include corticosteroids to reduce inflammation, antibiotics to prevent secondary infections, and pain relief medications.
4. **Activity Restriction**: It is crucial to keep your dog calm and restrict their activity during treatment. Excessive exercise can lead to complications, as the dead heartworms can cause blockages in the blood vessels.
5. **Post-Treatment Care**: After the treatment, your veterinarian will schedule follow-up visits to monitor your dog’s recovery and check for any remaining heartworms. It may take several months for your dog to fully recover.
6. **Surgical Removal**: In severe cases where there is a significant number of heartworms, surgery may be necessary to remove them from the heart and blood vessels.
Always consult with your veterinarian to determine the best course of action for your dog’s specific situation, as they can provide tailored advice based on your dog’s health and the severity of the heartworm infection.
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