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Testing Positive for Heartworm

HEARTWORMS! The word strikes fear in dog lovers everywhere. A dog that tests positive for heartworms may have worms up to one-foot long living in his heart, lungs, and blood vessels. That’s the bad news.

Here’s the good news. First, they are easily prevented. An annual blood test and monthly administration (given year-round) of a veterinarianprescribed heartworm preventive will keep your dog safe from heartworms. Second, dogs that tests positive for heartworms can be successfully treated and go on to live happy, healthy, and active lives. However, this treatment is costly; therefore, it is much easier to choose the simpler and cheaper prevention route. Third, these worms have absolutely nothing to do with the amount of love that a DVGRR dog will bring to you and your family.

Heartworm Positive

Some of the dogs coming to Golden Gateway test positive for heartworms. When this happens (typically as a result of arriving from warmer climates or as a stray), we immediately begin treatment given at prescribed times with restricted activity. As worms die, they are expelled into the dog’s bloodstream. Higher activity levels may lead to greater risk of heart or lung damage. Restricted activity means potty breaks on lead only, no walks, and if your dog is young and active, limiting his access within your home, to help him stay calm and quiet, by using a crate or baby gate. This may seem almost laughable, but there are plenty of things to do
during the three months of treatment. Stuffed KongsTM, puzzles and interactive toys, teaching basic obedience skills, and crate training can help to keep your dog mentally stimulated. Exercising his brain will help tire him out and encourage him to rest quietly in his crate or quiet place.

By adopting from DVGRR, you and your family have made the decision to open your home and hearts to a dog that may need some patience and love. Adopting a heartworm-positive dog is essentially the same thing – you have decided to welcome a deserving dog into your home, giving him or her time to become a beloved member of your family. Because of the necessary quiet time during the heartworm treatment, you will have daily opportunities to work on building that magical bond through cuddling and quiet time together. There will be plenty of time in the future for long walks and trips to the shore, lake or woods after the treatment is completed. DVGRR’s veterinary staff at BARK will administer the heartworm treatment, at no cost to you, even after the finalized adoption
and will be available, along with the DVGRR Adoption Team, for any questions or concerns you may have.

Within our amazing family of DVGRR adopters, we have several who chose to adopt dogs in the midst of heartworm treatment. Choosing a
dog is a mix of falling in love and recognizing the “right one” and, at the same time, being rational and realistic because this is a major decision, a lifetime promise. If you are interested in a DVGRR dog that has tested positive for
heartworm, please don’t dismiss him or her. Talk to the staff at Golden Gateway, ask your questions, meet the dog. You never know… he or she may be “the one” you’ve been looking for.