Following treatment, complete is needed to prevent lung damage from the dead, decomposing worms for 6-8 weeks. The microfilaria will be killed with an injection approximately 4-6 weeks after treatment to rid the dog of the adult heartworms.
When can a dog go back to normal activity after heartworm treatment?
There is no reason to allow running, jumping, or other physical activity at any time for 8 weeks after the start of the injectable heartworm adulticide treatment.
How long does heartworm medicine stay in the dog's system?
Heartworm preventatives are only active for a short time and work in reverse. Heartgard has the active ingredient ivermectin in it. Ivermectin has a half-life of 2 days in the dog. That means 1/2 of the drug is eliminated from the body in 2 days.
Do dogs poop out heartworms after treatment?
Unlike intestinal parasites, however, which, once killed, can simply be passed in the animal's stool, heartworms, once dead, do not have an easy way to be eliminated from the body. The dog's immune system must break down the dead worms, an elimination process which is very effective but does take some time.
How long does heartworm recovery take?
It is essential that he is kept confined with limited activity levels for four weeks. After treatment, excessive activity and exercise can increase the risk of movement of the dead heartworms through the body, clogging the arteries, and creating serious heart and lung complications.
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