Anyone who has ever worked with dog rescue knows heartworm disease in canines is a prevalent problem. If you need convincing, just take a look at the sidebar’s scrolling pictures of all the dogs in Dogs 2nd Chance who are heartworm positive in 2009. And this is just one rescue organization!
Heartworms are transmitted to dogs by mosquitoes. If you live in the Memphis area you know we still have mosquitoes buzzing around even this late into November. You can imagine then why it is so important to use heartworm preventative year-round. However, for many dogs who end up needing rescue, monthly heartworm prevention is not available to them. This is why so many of Dogs 2nd Chance rescues are heartworm positive.
Benjamin Franklin was correct when he said,
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Heartworm disease is the perfect canine example! While it may cost up to $80 / year for parasite protection depending a dog’s weight, treating the disease can cost $1000 or more and involves a lot of patience on the part of the caregiver and dog. A dog being treated for heartworm must be kept in a low-stress, low-activity environment until the heartworm remains have passed through the dog's body.
You can imagine the expense for a rescue organization with many heartworm positive dogs, and why each one of these dogs needs a sponsor!
Good news though! Once a dog has been treated for heartworm and has started the monthly preventative, he is just as much an adoptable dog than any other Dogs 2nd Chance dog!
If you’d like to help
with the cost of treatment or be a
quiet home for a dog being treated for heartworms please let us know!
Other questions about heartworms in animals? See the American Heartworm Society’s
FAQ page.Thank you for helping the helpless!
