My dog has a presumptive diagnosis of heartworm, confirmtory test to be drawn tomorrow. If it comes back positive, is there any nutritional support I can give her during her treatment? How can I help her get better more quickly?
Thank you, Erin
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Heartworm
3rin
Nov 09, 2009 08:00 PM
Replies (1)
PHDrTobin
Nov 10, 2009 10:15 AM
The current conventional therapy for heartworm consists of treatment with an arsenical compound that kills the heartworm but causes tissue necrosis at the injection site.
Another treatment consists of doxycycline to kill the bacteria often associated with the damage from heartworm, along with a monthly heartworm preventative to prevent a reinfection. This also kills the microfilaria that can be transmitted toother dogs. I would not suggest this treatment if the dog is already symptomatic.
I usually use as a treatment Vitamin C and Levamisole, but levamisole is currently unavailable.
