Heartworm Treatment Cost

Typical costs:

• The cost of treating dogs with heartworm usually runs around $1,000, but can be $500-$1,100 or more depending on the size of the dog and the stage of the disease.
• For cats, there is no known treatment for heartworm. However, cats seem to be more resistant to heartworm and, if infected, they sometimes recover on their own.

• Heartworm symptoms include chronic coughing, tiring easily, unwillingness to exercise, difficulty breathing, lethargy and an enlarged abdomen. Treating heartworm in dogs is a lengthy and pricey process, and can be taxing on the dog's health.
• First, the veterinarian will conduct diagnostic testing (also called doing a "work-up" of the dog), to determine how infected it is with the disease. This will include blood chemistries to check organ function, X-rays to look at heart and lungs and perhaps an ultrasound if the disease is severe. The diagnostic stage is considered a very important part of treatment; short cutting pre-treatment could lead to devastating results, according to the American Heartworm Society.
• Treating the pet involves two to three injections. The main drug used is Melarsomine (brand name Immiticide). There is some risk involved in treating dogs with heartworms, although fatalities are rare. Suite101.com discusses the treatment options and risks^[2] .
• Treatment cost should also include follow up appointments within a month of the injection(s).
• Following the injection, the dog's movement needs to be restricted for several weeks. As the heartworms die and break up, they are carried through the blood to the lungs and are eventually reabsorbed by the body. However, if a dog is exerting itself, blood will flow rapidly and a lot of worms could overwhelm the lungs at once. Coughing is one sign that this may have happened.

• Veterinarians and animal experts strongly urge dog and cat owners to give their pets preventative heartworm medication, which costs between $58 and $159 for a year's supply. The vet may also advise giving Heartgard to kill immature heartworms, since the initial treatment will likely only kill the adult worms.
• Consider taking time off from work, or making other arrangements, to ensure that the dog is resting properly for the necessary four to six weeks following the initial injections, as this is a crucial stage in the treatment.

• If the animal is covered by pet insurance, check to see what costs, if any, will be covered.

• Heartgard^[3] , TriHeart^[4] and Interceptor^[5] are the leading heartworm prevention brands.
• To find a veterinarian, visit the American Veterinary Medicine Association's vet finder^[6] .

1.  www.heartwormsociety.org/pet-owner-resources/canine.html
2.  suite101.com/article/heartworm-treatment-in-dogs-a114674
3.  www.heartgard.com/Pages/index.aspx
4.  www.triheartplus.com/index.html
5.  www.interceptor.novartis.us/
6.  www.avma.org/advocacy/stateandlocal/statevma/pages/default.aspx

Check Out All Costs for Pets & Pet Care		How Much Do Fish Cost?		How Much Does Owning a Cat Cost?		How Much Does a Rabbit Cost?

Today's Featured Cost Articles

Wondering what a trip to the Winter Olympics in Sochi would cost? What would a personal trainer cost to reach those New Years goals? It's the New Year. Looking for a gym membership to keep to that resolution? 25 States are reporting widespread flu. It's not too late for a flu shot. Snowmagedodon has landed. Here's information on clearing snow.

About CostHelper

CostHelper is based in Silicon Valley and provides consumers with unbiased price information about thousands of goods and services. Our writers are experienced journalists who adhere to our strict editorial ethics policy.

CostHelper Community

Pay now or later Paid: 0.00 To those that say they will take their chances - you WILL regret it. I thought I never had chicken pox but I did get shingles (have them now). You would be glad to pay $500 to avoid shingles... [more] -Dr Larry Shingles Vaccine Cost Goodman HP & propane dual fuel furnace Paid: 2500.00 A/C companies are really ripping off people. We bought a high SEER unit for $1267.00 - 5 ton unit folks. Yea, we have been builders for 20+ years, so we knew kind of what we were doing. But this was our FIRST install... [more] -Ranger Rick-Ohio Heat Pump Cost Treatment for metastatic ovarian cancer Paid: 1072.82 Recently diagnosed with metastatic ovarian cancer. Drugs being administered are Avastin, Gemzar and Carboplatin. The most recent statement has the original cost of one session at $30,045.79. Health paid $ 2,503 and I will pay 1,072... [more] -Dnvdeb Chemotherapy Cost Think Twice Before Getting Veneers... Paid: 14000.00 I had my first set of porcelain veneers done 14 years ago to close the gap in my front teeth (the front four teeth were done to look proportioned)... [more] -Jenna C. Dental Veneers Cost Ripped off by Interstate Locksmith. Inc. & Marro & Son Locksmiths Paid: 205.54 Called up Interstate via their ad in the yellow pages. Was informed that their would be a $59 service call. That that fee would be subtracted from the total bill, whatever that meant...(EG new lock, parts & labor)... [more] -neil feigeles Locksmith Cost Culligan Water Softener Price Paid: 3100.00 Just had an HE model installed yesterday (2-12-2014) to treat well water, with 6.0 ppm of iron and a 24 level of hardness. A costly, but necessary evil for our recently purchased 42YO home... [more] -Steve McCullough Water Softener Cost