Source: WinfieldCourier.com

What do you think when you hear the name Einstein? Most of think of that picture of the physicist who discovered the theory of relativity.

When the staff at Cowley County Humane Society hears the name Einstein, they think of a dog who almost wasn’t. Why? Because he was high heartworm positive.

Einstein is one of the lucky dogs, as there was one vial of Immiticide left. He is smart, handsome, perfectly behaved with all humans and other animals, and about 30 pounds. His need for treatment was posted alongside his biography on the Web site, and some big heart paid the full amount necessary. Again – lucky boy.

Heartworm is carried by mosquitoes and attacks the heart and lays eggs that grow. That’s how it is fatal. Just a preventative kills the worm. Some preventives are Heartgard, Tri-Heart, Interceptor, Iverhart, Revolution or Advantage, which all cost about $10 per month.


The treatment for heartworm is pricey and difficult because the medicine Immiticide is an expensive drug and often has to be administered more than once, depending on the severity of the heartworm.

It also has been in short supply and must be ordered in large quantities. (Vets charge anywhere from $200 to $400 to treat a dog.)

Giving your dog a heartworm preventative does not keep it from getting bitten by a mosquito, but it kills the worm once it enters the dog.

About one in nine dogs checked for heartworm tested positive at Cowley County Humane Society this past year. In addition to the expense, there is a long recovery — about a month of no activity for the dog. It is nearly impossible for CCHS to treat every dog that comes up positive for this disease, according to director Teresa Harden.

For the sake of Einstein, who now lives happily at Safe Harbor Prison Program and is available for adoption, and for your own pet’s safety, please consult your vet for the recommended heartworm preventative.

Mary Reid is a volunteer at the Cowley County Humane Society. He specialty is fostering dogs.