Animal care organizations on the Treasure Coast say a bad economy has left more dogs in danger of getting lethal heartworm.
The deadly disease, which is spread by mosquitoes, is easily prevented with a monthly pill. But since a vet visit and blood test are required, some pet owners may not have the money to keep man’s best friend safe from the dreaded disease.
“Over 30 percent of the dogs in our adoption building alone are heartworm-positive,” said Janet Winikoff, education director for the Humane Society of Vero Beach and Indian River County. “We treat for heartworm if the dog is healthy, but it’s a lengthy treatment and the medication is very hard on a dog’s system.”
It’s a similar situation at the Humane Society of the Treasure Coast in Palm City, which serves animals from Martin County. Operations Director Candace Veach said the number of heartworm cases at the shelter is up by 25 percent.
“We’re seeing at least one dog a week coming in with heartworm,” Veach said. “The influx is actually quite staggering.”
At a recent pet immunization clinic in Fellsmere, Winikoff surveyed participants about their use of heartworm preventives and found a lack of education about the severity and prevalence of heartworm disease.
“Some people confuse heartworm with intestinal parasites or think that flea preventatives address heartworm,” Winikoff said. “Also, many of the people we’ve spoken with had their dogs on heartworm preventatives but stopped. They told us they were unable to afford going to the vet to get their dogs tested annually to request a prescription.”
With heartworm, a deadly parasite is transmitted to a dog via a mosquito bite, and the larvae lodge in the heart and lungs. Over several months, the larvae can grow to 12 inches long, causing heart and pulmonary failure.
Once a dog tests positive for heartworm, an arsenic-based drug called Immiticide is administered by injection for eight weeks. But the drug is in limited supply, and what supply is available is much more costly than it used to be, according to shelter officials.
“What we used to order by the case, we’re getting by the drop,” said Dr. Elizabeth Bybee, the veterinarian for the Humane Society of Vero Beach and Indian River County. Bybee said the sole manufacturer of the drug — Merial — is rationing supply because of production problems, making it more difficult to keep any stock on hand at the shelter.
And Veach said she’s noticed a big jump in the cost the shelter pays when it sends animals out for heartworm treatment.
“A lot of vets are calling us and saying that the drug is hard to get, so it’s going to cost more to treat a dog,” Veach said.
David Robertson, shelter manager for the Humane Society of St. Lucie County, said while he hasn’t seen a significant spike in the overall number of cases of heartworm at the shelter, he is seeing more people who can’t afford the monthly heartworm preventive. Depending on a dog’s weight, preventives can cost $50 to $80 for a year’s supply, and some people are just skipping the monthly preventive pill because of the cost.
While dogs can survive heartworm, treatment is difficult and long. Dogs must be confined while undergoing their initial treatment, and will need follow-up treatment that can continue for four to six months.
While dogs can survive heartworm, treatment is difficult and long. The primary risk of heartworm treatment is the blockage of the lung’s blood vessels by dying worms, which could prove fatal. Dogs must be confined while undergoing their initial treatment, and will need follow-up treatment that can continue for four to six months.
Lisa Kearney of Vero Beach is waiting for heartworm treatment to be completed on Angel, a 1-year-old shepherd mix she is adopting from the Humane Society. Although Kearney is impatient to get Angel home, she recognizes that confining the dog at the shelter is the best course of treatment.
“My other rescue dog was also heartworm-positive, so I know how to handle her,” said Kearney, who is a nurse. “But she seems to be doing well and has a lot of energy, so now we’re just chomping at the bit to get her home.”
HEARTWORM FACTS
Heartworm symptoms in dogs include coughing, tiring easily, breathing difficulties, dizziness and heart failure.
Cats can also develop heartworm, although it is less prevalent and symptoms are vague. About 10 percent of cats develop heartworm suddenly, and by the time symptoms appear, it may too late for treatment. A monthly preventive is available.
Source: American Heartworm Society