Activity restriction is important for dogs undergoing heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) treatment. However, it is not usually needed for the entire process, just during the time after Immiticide (and, the newer medication, Diroban) injections are administered.
Patients undergoing “slow kill” heartworm treatment need activity restriction only if there are complications or preexisting heart disease. Follow the advice of your veterinarian.
When Immiticide begins to cause adult heartworms to die, the healthy way for them to be disposed of is for white blood cells (WBCs) to munch away at them like little Pac Men. We want microscopic pieces of the heartworms to be disposed of.
During vigorous activity, blood flow through the heart is increased. That increase in “washing action” over the dying adult heartworms can cause large pieces of decomposing heartworm bodies to be freed into circulation. If an artery becomes occluded by this floating log, embolism occurs.
Embolism is defined as “the sudden blocking of an artery by a clot or foreign material which has been brought to the site of lodgement by the blood current.” Embolism is a noun form, as is embolus, which refers to the actual object blocking the artery. The plural form of embolus is emboli.
An embolus can clog an artery in the heart, brain, kidneys, lungs or other vital organ. If that happens, tissue death usually occurs because the obstructed artery can no longer supply oxygen and nutrients to the tissue. Adult Dirofilaria usually reside in the right ventricle of the heart and the pulmonary arteries that convey “used” blood from the right side of the heart to the lungs for releasing waste products and picking up new oxygen. Therefore, the lungs are the organ most likely to suffer embolism.
In the best-case scenario a pulmonary embolus is small and a minor area of inflammation occurs. The next-worse possibility is a larger embolus that results in a small area of tissue death and low-grade pneumonia. This picture is usually accompanied by a cough and requires attention by your veterinarian.
Even larger emboli can cause death of an entire lobe of the lung, requiring thoracic surgery to remove the damaged lobe. Sometimes the inflammatory reaction is so great and so sudden that fluid pours into the lungs and the patient dies within minutes.
None of this is meant to scare you, however we cannot overemphasize the importance of restricting activity during this phase of heartworm treatment.
How “restricted” is “restricted activity?” Running is out of the question. As are long walks. Venturing outside the house, including to fenced-in yard, must be on a leash. One quick burst of speed chasing a squirrel or stray cat could bring on an embolic complication.
For most heartworm-treatment patients the activity restriction period is only 2-3 months long. Considering that following the warning may avoid a fatal complication makes it a small price to pay.
See you next week, Dr. Randolph.
MMHTWACT
Hi – My dog (Allie) just had her first round of heartworm treatments at the beginning of May. I asked my vet for something to keep Allie (basset hound/lab mix) calm. I just adopted her and she deals with separation anxiety and leash aggression. The vet prescribed Trazodone and it’s working pretty well. If you have a Costco membership it was only about $8 for a 30 day supply with the membership discount. Prior to the meds, she would howl every time I left the apt. Now she whines but quickly settles. Previously, I was giving her calming chews (which kind of worked) and the vet said I could give the calming chews and the Trazodone. It might be worthwhile to get a script. After about a week, Allie was no longer in pain from the shot and the Trazodone has been a lifesaver to chill her out. Also, the snuffle mat, kong wobbler, and puzzles have been helpful. I bought my puzzles on Amazon but a friend gifted me some she found at TJ Maxx for a fraction of the price of Amazon. Allie’s still bored because she loves being outside but it gives her a bit of enjoyment while she rests.
My 3 yr old German Shepherd is a rescue and was diagnosed with heartworm. He has another 1.5 weeks of Doxycycline. It has caused him to have a loss of appetite, hence, I have resorted to boiled chicken/rice mixed with his grain. He beings the injections in June. The clinic that is treating him advised no exercise pre injections. He is so bored and wants to play. He began running around the house due to excess energy. With that said, once he begins the injections, I realize the importance of keeping him still. Some friends recommended CBD oil to calm him. I am very skeptical of this and perhaps a prescribed medication to calm him would be better. What are your thoughts…
I have read your reply and words of wisdom to various questions, thank you for taking the time to answer our questions!
There is NO standardization on the ingredients of CBD oil, therefore, I can’t possibly recommend it. Ask your veterinarian if Benadryl might help. Sedation is about all it’s good for in dogs. Restriction of activity is SO important! Best wishes with that heartworm treatment. Thanks for reading, Dr. Randolph.