This one really hurts: Obamas lose dog Bo to cancer. Michelle posts a poignant remembrance

[hlthe2b]

35. No. That is not true. Here is the treatment for adult heartworm disease. It includes

heartworm prevention to kill microfilaria but they do not kill the adult worms. Treatment is extensive, expensive and long. It includes a necessary arsenical melarsomine intravenously administered) to kill the adults. Thus Prevention, which is as easy as a monthly tablet containing ivermectin or related safe drugs is critically important.

You are so deceived on this and it distresses me greatly. For gawds sakes seek out a veterinarian you can trust and inform yourself.

Treament for Heartworm
https://www.heartwormsociety.org/veterinary-resources/american-heartworm-society-guidelines
https://d3ft8sckhnqim2.cloudfront.net/images/pdf/AHS_Canine_Guidelines_11_13_20.pdf?1605556516

American Heartworm SocietyTable 1. AHS-Recommended Treatment Protocol for Heartworm Disease

TreatmentDay 0 Dog diagnosed and verified as heartworm positive: • Positive antigen (Ag) test verified with microfilaria (MF) test • If no microfilariae are detected, confirm with 2nd Ag test from a different manufacturerBegin exercise restriction. • The more pronounced the signs, the stricter the exercise restrictionIf the dog is symptomatic:• Stabilize with appropriate therapy and nursing care• Prednisone prescribed at 0.5 mg/kg BID 1st week, 0.5 mg/kg SID 2nd week, 0.5 mg/kg EOD 3rd and 4th weeksDay 1 Administer heartworm preventive. • If microfilariae are detected, pretreat with antihistamine and glucocorticosteroid, if not already on prednisone, to reduce risk of anaphylaxis • Observe for at least 8 hours for signs of reactionDays 1–28 Administer doxycycline 10 mg/kg BID for 4 weeks.• Reduces pathology associated with dead heartworms• Disrupts heartworm transmission Day 30 Administer heartworm preventive.Day 60 Administer heartworm preventive.First melarsomine injection 2.5 mg/kg intramuscularly (IM)Prescribe prednisone 0.5 mg/kg BID 1st week, 0.5 mg/kg SID 2nd week, 0.5 mg/kg EOD3rd and 4th weeks.Decrease activity level even further.• Cage restriction/on leash when using yardDay 90 Administer heartworm preventive.Second melarsomine injection 2.5 mg/kg IMDay 91 Third melarsomine injection 2.5 mg/kg IMPrescribe prednisone 0.5 mg/kg BID 1st week, 0.5 mg/kg SID 2nd week, 0.5 mg/kg EOD3rd and 4th weeks.Continue exercise restriction for 6 to 8 weeks following last melarsomine injections.Day 120 Test for presence of microfilariae. • If positive treat with a microfilaricide and retest in 4 weeks establish year-round heartworm prevention. Day 271 Antigen test 6 months after completion; screen for microfilariae.

There is no state, no county in the US not at risk for Heartworm, with risk rising exponentially due to climate change. Even in Colorado, we can no longer count on winter to kill off all competent mosquito vectors for heartworm with mosquitoes emerging on the not infrequent 60F days that occur all too frequently with changing climate. Thus preventative is recommended and NEEDED year-round. Risk is rising in mostly indoor animals as well. Entomologists have confirmed that mosquitoes can and do enter households via all the potential avenues--even with screened windows.