Treatment Options

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Thank you for adopting a heartworm positive dog and truly saving a life.  Our mission is to help you get your new family member happy and healthy so that you are able to spend many, many years together.  We are proud to offer slow kill treatment.  Please complete the treatment application at the bottom of this page, and submit the other necessary documents via email to   Treatment for pets is offered at our discretion, we reserve the right to decline to treat any animal. 

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Slow Kill Option

Slow kill treatment was developed years ago when there was a shortage of Melarsomine.  Doctors prescribe rounds of the antibiotic doxycycline and at times steroids, in addition to keeping a dog on monthly or bi-weekly heartworm preventative.  Doxycycline has been shown to weaken adult heartworms, decrease their body size, keep them from reproducing, and decrease the likelihood of larval stage worms from developing into adult worms. This method does not kill all adult heartworms all at once, but rather weakens them so that they will die off faster, and prevents new worms from entering the heart.  This is often a method used for dogs who can not mentally or physically handle a minimum of 60 days of complete exercise restriction.  Our doctor will do a comprehensive exam  to help you decide if this is a good treatment option for your dog.  

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