- April 19, 2024
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Buddy and Kodi love getting treats, even if it' s their heartworm meds.
Glenda, 35346370, is a 2-year-old female cat, available at Flagler Humane Society. Photo courtesy of FHS
Jackson, 14438326, is a 6-year-old male shepherd mix, available at Flagler Humane Society. Photo courtesy FHS
Maverick, 35415580, is a 2-year-old male pit bull mix, available at Flagler Humane Society. Photo courtesy FHS
Tommy, 35372351, is a6-year-old male cat, available at Flagler Humane Society. Photo courtesy of FHS.
When I told my veterinarian in Virginia we were moving to Florida he responded, “That’s where they test the heartworm preventatives.”
Of course we had mosquitoes in Virginia, they are in just about every state, and we kept our dogs current on preventative and annual testing, but it isn’t like Florida. Sometimes I think even the mosquitoes come here to retire.
Along with monthly preventatives for your dogs it is also important to discourage mosquitoes in your yard. First and foremost, empty any non-circulating water and flip and refresh those bird baths.
When Kodi and Buddy get their monthly dose it’s administered as a treat. The soft chews are gobbled down with no problem.
The only way a dog can get heartworms is from an infected mosquito.
Heartworm positive dogs often show up at the local humane societies. Thankfully there are people who will adopt and treat a dog with heartworm. Both Flagler and Halifax humane societies have programs to help offset the cost of treatment.
According to Amy Carotenuto, the executive director at the Flagler Humane Society, there were almost 1200 recorded heartworm tests administered in the past 12 months. Of these, 70 tested positive. The figure includes dogs that came in for low cost surgery and wellness clinics offered at the shelter.
Barry Kukes, the community outreach director for Halifax Humane Society said the shelter had taken in 62 dogs so far this year, that tested heartworm positive. In 2016 there was a total of 135 affected dogs brought into the shelter.
Carotenuto said the two types of treatment used are Immiticide and antibiotics. Both treatments require the owner to keep the dog as quiet as possible.
“Any dog that is heartworm positive or on treatment needs to stay quieter,” Carotenuto said. “We don’t want their heart rate elevated.”
If heartworm goes untreated heartworm will shut down the animal’s organs.
“It’s a slow and painful way for them to die if they are not treated,” Carotenuto said.
