Heartworm

What is Heartworm?

Heartworm is a serious but treatable disease transmitted exclusively through the bite of a mosquito carrying heartworm larvae.

Who is at Risk?

Any dog exposed to the bite of an infected mosquito is at risk.
Dogs from warm climates, such as Texas, are especially vulnerable to heartworm, even after arriving in cooler regions.
Anna’s Angels dogs are on preventatives, protecting them and others in their environment.
Heartworm cannot be transmitted through shared spaces, food, water, or from mother to puppies.

What if I don't give a heartworm preventative medication or test for heartworm?

If the dog is infected and nothing is done, they can and will die and you will be spreading heartworm to other animals

Important Notes:

Heartworm infection doesn’t show up on tests immediately. It can take up to 6 months after infection to detect it on a test.
A negative test at the time of adoption or in younger dogs too young to be tested at the time of adoption, doesn’t guarantee future tests will remain negative.
On our adoption site, dogs marked with a purple heart icon (💜) are heartworm positive.

Heartworm awareness is essential to keep all pets healthy and safe.

Key Terms & Medications

Microfilaria

(baby heartworms)

Larvae are what the infected mosquitoes inject into the dog
Microfilaria grow into adults
Preventatives kill microfilaria
A dog can only spread heartworm back to a mosquito if microfilaria are present
The number of microfilaria does not always indicate the number of heartworms

Wolbachia

Bacteria that use the heartworm to survive and the heartworm needs Wolbachia to survive.
Eliminating Wolbachia weakens adult heartworms

Testing

Testing for heartworms

Witness antigen test
Snap 4DX test
Both tests use a blood sample- both can only show a positive if mature females worms are present- which is usually around 6 months from the time they are infected.
A ‘smear’ or ‘Knott’s’ test can be performed to get an idea of the number of microfilaria present

Doxycycline

Oral Antibiotic
Eliminate Wolbachia
Decrease Microfilaria
Given twice daily for 30 days
Part both slow and fast kill heartworm treatments
Cost approx $200-$250 for the 30 days

Heartworm Preventatives

Advantage Multi (Moxidectin)

Topical Heartworm Preventative
Given monthly
Recommended for heartworm positive dogs.
Cost approx $35-$45 per dose.
Does not protect against ticks

Heartgard (Ivermectin)

Oral Heartworm Preventative
Given monthly and kills microfilaria
Safe for use in heartworm positive dogs
Cost approx $35-$45 per dose
Does not protect against fleas or ticks.

Ivermectin Liquid

Oral liquid Heartworm Preventative
Given monthly
Safe for use in heartworm positive dogs

Simparica Trio (Moxidectin)

Chewable Heartworm, flea and tick preventative
Given monthly
Safe for use in heartworm positive dogs
Cost approx $20-30 per dose

Nexgard PLUS (Moxidectin)

Chewable Heartworm, flea and tick preventative
Given monthly
Safe for use in heartworm positive dogs

ProHeart (Moxidectin)

Injectable Heartworm Preventative
Given every 6 months (ProHeart 6)
Or given every 12 months (ProHeart 12)
May not yet be available in some areas.

Safe for use in heartworm positive dogs

Immiticide

(Melarsomine)

Organic arsenical chemotherapeutic agent
Injectable medication
Used for fast kill treatment.
Cost approx $450-500 per injection (total of 3 injections required) so approx $1500-3000 (for the complete course of fast kill treatment)

Heartworm Treatments

Fast Kill

The current Gold Standard as per the American Heartworm Society. It involves an antibiotic (Doxycycline) is given to weaken the worms, along with a steroid (Prednisone) and a preventative to kill any baby worms. It also includes 3 injections of Immiticide (Melarsomine) to kill the adult heartworms. Involves strict crate rest for 3-6 months. This may cost $1500-$3000 in Canada and works very well but can be dangerous. A negative test usually comes within 6-9 months but can take 12 months.

Slow Kill

Involves a month of Doxycycline to eliminate wolbachia. The dog also gets a heartworm preventative monthy which is found to further weaken/kill the adult worms while killing any baby worms and preventing new worms; generally Advantage Multi (moxidectin) is chosen. Some exercise restriction is needed. Negative test seems to come within 9-12 months (though can take 16-18 months or even longer depending on a number of factors).

What are signs of heartworm disease?

In the early stages of the disease, many dogs show few symptoms or no symptoms at all. The longer the infection persists, the more likely symptoms will develop. Active dogs, dogs heavily infected with heartworms, or those with other health problems often show pronounced clinical signs. ⤵️

Signs of heartworm disease may include:

persistent cough
coughing up blood
increased sputum
excessive panting

shortness of breath
lethargy
weakness
lethargy

pale mucous membranes
reluctance to exercise
fatigue after activity
loss of appetite

persistent vomiting
diarrhea
weight loss
collapse

As heartworm disease progresses to more severe/end-stage disease, it is possible for pets to develop:

vascular damages
thickening of arteries

heart enlargement
high blood pressure

congestive heart failure
caval syndrome

swollen belly
death

Other risks that are associated with treatments could include:

Clots from dying/ fragmenting worms causing pulmonary embolism, neurological side effects from accumulation of drugs in the central nervous system, negative behavioral outcomes such as depression, anxiety or reactivity resulting from strict activity restriction and often accompanying social isolation.

Heartworm Testing Guidelines

We rescues dogs from local kill shelters, accept owner surrenders, and receive stray or abandoned animals. Unfortunately, we often have little to no prior information about their health history. If no valid heartworm test record is available, Rescue conducts a heartworm test as part of their care.

Remember, if you don’t test your dog for heartworm, you won’t know they’re infected. Testing is essential to ensure your dog’s health.

When you adopt a dog, it's important to work closely with your vet to schedule heartworm testing appointments based on testing guidelines.

Also, see below for full Heartworm Care Plans.

Puppes <7 months

of age

Are too young to be tested

Test at 7 months of age

Test again 13 months of age

Test yearly after that

Dogs >7 months &

Heartworm Negative

Test 6 months after their initial heartworm test

Test again 12 months after the initial test

Test yearly after that

Dogs >7 months &

Heartworm Positive

Test at the 9 month mark of treatment

Test every few months (as per your vet) until a negative result is obtained

Test yearly after that

Why is ANNUAL TESTING recommended for ALL dogs?

Why is annual testing recommended for all dogs? (Even if they are negative or are on heartworm prevention year-round):

Preventatives are highly effective, but dogs can still become infected if you miss just one dose or give it late, it can leave your dog unprotected. Even if you give the medication as recommended, your dog may spit out or vomit a pill or rub off a topical medication.
If you don’t get your dog tested, you won’t know your dog needs treatment. The only way to know if your dog is heartworm positive, is to test.
IDEXX 4Dx test is often an option in Vet clinics. This tests for Heartworm and tick borne diseases (Lyme, Ehrlichiosis and Anaplasmosis).
A Heartworm test may cost around $80-$100 depending on the clinic.

Choosing a dog who's heartworm positive

Choosing to adopt a dog that is heartworm-positive (or may become heartworm-positive) is a personal decision for you, your family, and your veterinarian.⤵️

What You Need to Know:

There’s nothing “wrong” with a heartworm-positive dog—they were simply unlucky enough to be bitten by an infected mosquito.
Heartworm is not the dog’s fault, and every dog deserves safety, love, and a happy life.

Your Responsibility as a caregiver:

After adoption, it’s essential to administer a monthly heartworm preventative.
Heartworm infection can take up to 6 months to show up on a test, so a dog that tests negative at adoption or was just a puppy, may still test positive later on.
- - This is why it is so important to continue to give a heartworm preventative monthly and re-test your dog for heartworm.
Preventatives must be given consistently—no late, skipped, or missed doses.
Annual heartworm testing and continued heartworm preventatives are highly recommended for the dog’s lifetime. Learn more about preventatives here.

Potential Costs:

Additional veterinary care may be needed, such as treatment (fast or slow kill) or diagnostic tests.
Tick and flea preventatives are strongly advised, especially in areas like the Atlantic provinces where Lyme disease and other tick borne illnesses are common.

Adopting a heartworm-positive dog is a commitment, but the love and gratitude you’ll receive in return make it all worthwhile. ❤️

Heartworm Video

This video covers all things heartworm. Please take a watch.

This video is around 20 minutes in length.

Heartworm Care plans

Click the drop down that corresponds with your dogs heartworm status.

Puppy <7 months old:

Too young to be tested

Your dog TOO YOUNG to be tested for heartworm at this time.

→Heartworm PREVENTATIVE guidelines:

You will need to continue to provide a monthly heartworm preventative medication to your dog, as directed by your vet.

Examples are:
- Advantage Multi or Heartgard protects against heartworms
- Simparica Trio, Nexgard PLUS, Nexgard Spectra protects against heartworm, fleas and ticks

It is important not to have any late or missed doses!

A heartworm preventative and annual testing is highly recommended for the lifetime of your dog.

→TESTING guidelines are as follows:

Test at 7 months of age to ensure they don’t test positive.

If they test negative at 7 months of age
- Continue heartworm preventatives

Test again at 13 months of age to ensure they don’t test positive
- If they test negative at 13 months of age
  - Continue heartworm preventatives

Test annually! - highly recommended
- Continue heartworm preventatives

If your dog test does test positive at any point in their lifetime

Reach out to your group chat for support.

→Notes to consider:

Heartworm tests can take approx 6 months post infection to reflect a positive result if in fact infected.

Flea and tick preventative medications and annual testing for tick borne diseases are also highly encouraged.

Tested Negative

Your dog has tested NEGATIVE

→Heartworm PREVENTATIVE guidelines:

You will need to continue to provide a monthly heartworm preventative medication to your dog, as directed by your vet.

Examples are:

Advantage Multi or Heartgard protects against heartworms
Simparica Trio, Nexgard PLUS, Nexgard Spectra will protect against heartworm, fleas and ticks

It is important not to have any late or missed doses!

A heartworm preventative and annual testing is highly recommended for the lifetime of your dog.

→TESTING guidelines are as follows:

Test 6 months after their initial test, to ensure they don’t test positive.

If they test negative at 6 months
- Continue heartworm preventatives

Test again 12 months after their initial test, to ensure they don’t test positive.

If they test negative at 12 months
- Continue heartworm preventatives

Test annually! - highly recommended
- Continue heartworm preventatives

If your dog test does test positive at any point in their lifetime

Reach out to your group chat for support.

→Notes to consider:

Heartworm tests can take approx 6 months post infection to reflect a positive result if in fact infected.

Flea and tick preventative medications and annual testing for tick borne diseases are also highly encouraged.

Tested Positive: Slow Kill

Your dog tested heartworm POSITIVE.

→SLOW KILL TREATMENT consists of the following:

DOXYCYCLINE (antibiotic; Dosage: 10mg/kg twice a day)
- Given twice a day (morning and evening) for 1 month (30 days)

Heartworm preventative medication .

Administered monthly
Suggested is:

ADVANTAGE MULTI (Moxidectin)

You will need to continue to provide a monthly heartworm preventative medication to your dog, as directed by your vet.
It is important not to have any late or missed doses!

A heartworm preventative and annual testing is highly recommended for the lifetime of your dog.

→Slow kill treatment TESTING guidelines are as follows:

Test at the 9 month mark of treatment, to determine heartworm status.

If your dog still tests positive:
- Continue heartworm preventatives
- Retest as per your vet until a negative heartworm test result is obtained.
- Negative results may take up to 9-12-16 months or in some cases may take longer.
- Your vet may recommend repeating Doxycycline.

If your dog tests negative:
- Continue heartworm preventatives

Test annually! - Highly recommended, even after a negative result is obtained.

Continue heartworm preventatives

If your dog test does re-test positive again at any point in their lifetime

Reach out to your group chat for support.

→Notes to consider:

Flea and tick preventative medications and annual testing for tick borne diseases are also highly encouraged.

Tested Positive: Fast Kill

Your dog tested POSITIVE for heartworm.

→FAST KILL TREATMENT consists of the following:

IMMITICIDE (Melarsomine; an organic arsenical agent)
- Series of 3 Injections
DOXYCYCLINE (antibiotic; Dosage: 10mg/kg twice a day)
- Given twice a day (morning and evening) for 1 month (30 days)
PREDNISONE (steroid)
- Given for 1 month (30 days) as tapered dose
Heartworm preventative medication
- Administered monthly.
- Suggested is:
  - ADVANTAGE MULTI (Moxidectin)

You will need to provide a monthly heartworm preventative medication to your dog, as directed by your vet.

It is important not to have any late or missed doses!
A heartworm preventative is highly recommended for the lifetime of your dog.

~~~~~~Fast Kill Treatment protocol as per the American Heartworm society guidelines~~~~~~

Day 1-30
- DOXYCYCLINE given twice daily for one month
- Prednisone for one month
- Heartworm preventative administered monthly
Day 60
- Provide heartworm preventative
- First Immiticide injection
- Prednisone for one month
Day 90
- Provide heartworm preventative
- Second Immiticide injection
- Prednisone for one month
Day 91
- Third and final Immiticide injection

→Fast kill treatment TESTING guidelines are as follows:

Test at the 6-9 month of treatment or as per your vet.

Please note that your dog still may show a positive test result after the 6 month mark.
Continue heartworm preventatives

Repeat testing as per your vet to ensure they obtain a negative result.
Test annually! - Highly recommended, even after a negative result is obtained.

Continue heartworm preventatives

If your dog test does ever re-test positive again at any point in their lifetime

Reach out to your group chat for support.

→Strict activity restriction is vital for your dog’s safety.

→Notes to consider:

Flea and tick preventative medications and annual testing for tick borne diseases are also highly encouraged.

Tested Negative: ProHeart

Your dog tested NEGATIVE for heartworm → PROHEART.

→Heartworm PREVENTATIVE guidelines are as follows:

Your dog may have received:
- ProHeart 6 which offers heartworm prevention for 6 months.
- ProHeart 12 which offers heartworm prevention for 12 months.

During the 6 or 12 months of protection provided by the ProHeart, you do not have to administer conjunctive heartworm preventative medications.

If your personal vet OFFERS ProHeart:
- Administer subsequent ProHeart doses as directed (at 6 or 12 months).

If your personal vet DOES NOT OFFER ProHeart
- At the end of the prevention period of the initial ProHeart dose, begin giving an alternative heartworm preventative medication monthly, as directed by your vet.
- Examples are:
  - Advantage Multi, Heartgard
  - Nexgard PLUS, Nexgard spectra, Simparica trio (also covers flea/tick)
It is important not to have any late or missed doses!
A heartworm preventative is highly recommended for the lifetime of your dog.

→TESTING guidelines are as follows:

Test 6 months after their initial test, to ensure they don’t test positive.

If they test negative
- Continue heartworm preventatives

Test again 12 months after their initial test, to ensure they don’t test positive.

Continue heartworm preventatives

Test annually! Highly recommended, even after a negative result is obtained.

Continue heartworm preventatives

If your dog test does test positive at any point in their lifetime,

Reach out to your group chat for support.

→Notes to consider:

Heartworm tests can take approx 6 months post infection to reflect a positive result if in fact infected.
Flea and tick preventative medications and annual testing for tick borne diseases are also highly encouraged.

Tested Positive: Slow Kill ProHeart

Your dog tested POSITIVE for heartworm → PROHEART

→SLOW KILL TREATMENT with ProHeart consists of the following:

30 days of DOXYCYCLINE - Dose 10mg/kg twice a day (morning and evening)
A heartworm preventative medication administered called ProHeart.

Your dog may have received:
- ProHeart 6 which offers heartworm prevention for 6 months.
- ProHeart 12 which offers heartworm prevention for 12 months.
- During the 6 or 12 months of protection provided by the ProHeart, you do not have to administer conjunctive heartworm preventative medications.
If your personal vet OFFERS ProHeart:
- Administer subsequent ProHeart doses as directed (at 6 or 12 months).

If your personal vet DOES NOT OFFER ProHeart
- At the end of the prevention period of the initial ProHeart dose, begin giving an alternative heartworm preventative medication monthly, as directed by your vet.
- Examples are:
  - Advantage Multi, Heartgard, Nexgard PLUS, Simparica Trio

It is important not to have any late or missed doses!
A heartworm preventative is highly recommended for the lifetime of your dog.

→Slow kill treatment with ProHeart TESTING guidelines are as follows:

Test at the 9-12 month mark of treatment, to determine heartworm status.

If your dog still tests positive:
- Continue heartworm preventatives
- Retest as per your vet until a negative heartworm test result is obtained.
- Negative results may take up to 12-16 months or in some cases may take longer.
If your dog rests negative:
- Continue heartworm preventatives

Test annually! Highly recommended, even after a negative result is obtained.

Continue heartworm preventatives

→Notes to consider:

Flea and tick preventative medications and annual testing for tick borne diseases are also highly encouraged.

Tested Positive: Fast Kill - ProHeart

Your dog tested POSITIVE for heartworm → PROHEART

→FAST KILL TREATMENT with ProHeart consists of the following:

IMMITICIDE (Melarsomine; an organic arsenical agent)
- Series of 3 Injections
DOXYCYCLINE (antibiotic; Dosage: 10mg/kg twice a day)
- Given twice a day (morning and evening) for 1 month (30 days)
PREDNISONE (steroid)
- Given for 1 month (30 days) as tapered dose
Heartworm preventative - ProHeart.

Your dog may have received:
- ProHeart 6 which offers heartworm prevention for 6 months.
- ProHeart 12 which offers heartworm prevention for 12 months.
- During the 6 or 12 months of protection provided by the ProHeart, you do not have to administer conjunctive heartworm preventative medications.
If your personal vet OFFERS ProHeart:
- Administer subsequent ProHeart doses as directed (at 6 or 12 months).
If your personal vet DOES NOT OFFER ProHeart
- At the end of the prevention period of the initial ProHeart dose, begin giving an alternative heartworm preventative medication monthly, as directed by your vet.
- Examples are: Advantage Multi, Heartgard, Nexgard PLUS, Simparica Trio
It is important not to have any late or missed doses!
A heartworm preventative is highly recommended for the lifetime of your dog.

~~~~~~Fast Kill Treatment protocol as per the American Heartworm society guidelines~~~~~~

Day 1-30
- DOXYCYCLINE given twice daily for one month
- Prednisone for one month
Day 60
- First Immiticide injection
- Prednisone for one month
Day 90
- Second Immiticide injection
- Prednisone for one month
Day 91
- Third and final Immiticide injection

→Fast kill treatment TESTING guidelines are as follows:

Test at the 6-9 month of treatment or as per your vet.

Please note that your dog still may show a positive test result after the 6 month mark.
Continue heartworm preventatives

Repeat testing as per your vet to ensure they obtain a negative result.
Test annually! - Highly recommended, even after a negative result is obtained.

Continue heartworm preventatives

If your dog test does ever re-test positive again at any point in their lifetime

Reach out to your group chat for support.

→Strict activity restriction is vital for your dog’s safety.

→Notes to consider:

Flea and tick preventative medications and annual testing for tick borne diseases are also highly encouraged.

FAQ's

What are the PROS & CONS of a Heartworm Positive Dog?

Pros of considering a HW + dog

The dog is already in treatment and is already on preventative medications.

All adopters must agree to give a monthly preventatives for HW + or HW- dogs to be considered for adoption. In all cases (when adopting a HW+ or HW- dog), you will have to continue with a monthly HW preventative regardless, so there is no added cost to continue providing treatment if it is just a monthly preventative.

Since all Texas rescue dogs are at risk for HW after arriving to you, by getting a dog that is already in treatment you will already know (Not all dogs will become HW+ but some will.)

You get the dog of your choice and you give it the best life it can have for as long as you have it. All dogs regardless of heartworm result deserve to have a forever home and be loved.

Cons of considering a HW + dog

A HW + dog may have some exercise restrictions.

There may (or may not) be some additional vet care/costs. You may choose a different treatment (fast/slow kill) or additional tests which will have added costs.

There is a possibility that the dog’s life may be shorter if there was some unknown damage to the heart and lungs. We hope that doesn’t happen but it is always a possibility.

Your personal vet may have little to no experience with heartworm and not feel prepared to deal with it. They may advise you to choose another dog.

Frustration and worry if your dog has a more prolonged heartworm infection that isn’t eradicated as quickly as was hoped.

Stigma about adopting a HW+ dog from those who may be fearful or are not well informed.

What is the heartworm lifecycle?

Heartworm is spread only through the bite of a heartworm infected female mosquito. These mosquitoes act as airborne incubators for premature baby heartworms called microfilaria. In order for your dog to be infected with heartworm, you first need mosquitoes of an appropriate species, as well as a climate that supports proper temperature and humidity and standing water.

A mosquito takes a blood meal from an already heartworm infected dog who has a mature enough infection to have circulating microfilaria (baby worms) in their bloodstream. The microfilaria must be at the larval stage L1 when withdrawn from the original host (dog) and must go through the stages of development within the intermediate host (mosquito), developing from L1 through the larval stage L2, into the infective stage L3, over the course of 10-14 days IF all conditions are correct. Correct conditions means that larval development requires approximately two weeks, 24 hours a day, of a temperature at or above approximately 27C (80F). Anything below a temperature of 14C (57F) development cannot occur and the cycle will be halted. Even temperatures in the close range of 14C slows the rate of development to the point where it could be unlikely that the mosquito will survive to the point of reaching L3 larval development. (Bearing in mind that while some mosquito species have a lifespan of approximately only 30 days, it is also possible that some species may have a lifespan of up to three months, and whilst larval development within the mosquito ceases at temperatures less than 14°C (57°F), it does resume when temperatures warm again.)

The same mosquito must then take another blood meal from a victim, depositing the infective larvae onto the skin and once the mosquitos stylet is removed from the skin, L3 larvae enter through the skin via the puncture hole.

Around 9-12 days after the larvae enters into the animal's body, L3 stage larva molt into L4 stage larvae. In this stage of around 50-70 days the L4 larva travel through the subcutaneous tissues and muscles.

As the larvae molt into immature worms, stage L5, they migrate into the bloodstream and travel towards the vessels of the heart and lungs. As early as day 67, the L5 larvae will begin to arrive at the pulmonary vessels, with all having arrived at around day 90-120.

At around day 120, these immature worms reach maturity and as early as 6 months post infection, but usually around 7-9 months, they will begin to produce new baby worms. At this point in time a positive heartworm infection can be detected on a test.

Who develops the heartworm treatment plan the dog is currenly on?

Who prescribes a treatment plan?

All dogs have been assessed by a Texas Veterinarian.

Once a dog’s heartworm status is determined, treatment is started based on our vets recommendations and is specific to each dog.

Each dog’s plan depends on a number of factors including but not limited to symptoms/ lack of symptoms, additional tests, where the dog is being fostered/ boarded, size, age, breed, activity level, etc).

Continuing the prescribed plan:

The current treatment plan will be communicated with the new adopters/fosters

Amending the plan PRIOR to adoption and transport is at the discretion of the Texas Vet based on each dog's condition.

Amending the plan POST adoption and transport is at the discretion of the adopter’s personal Vet.

Do you have any other heartworm resources where I can learn more about heartworm?

Absolutely! Check these out:

References Articles
The PAWEDcast: Heartworm in Dogs & Cats
- An excellent podcast were American vets talk about Heartworm. They give a lot of information about heartworm, preventative and treatment. At 30 minutes, they discuss the topic of “Is it a good decision to rescue a HW+ dog?”. Basically, they say if you have the means and access to care and you are interested in the dog- absolutely.

Can I talk to someone in Canada who has experienced HW?

We do have volunteers who have HW+ dogs who would be happy to connect with you. They are not vets or medical experts, but they can speak to you about their own personal experiences. Ask in your dog group chat if you could be connected with them if you want to hear more about their experience.

Also check out the following Facebook groups: Each group slants towards a specific treatment. Very few people in the groups are experts but most have learned a lot about HW and are sharing their personal understanding of what they have learned.

Do you have a list of Canadian Vets who are familiar with HW and will give options for treatment? (Slow kill or Fast Kill)

We are working on compiling a list of Atlantic Canadian Vets who are comfortable treating HW. It is not an exhaustive list, but it is growing.

See the List Here

I live in a Northern State/ in Canada. How long should my dog be on heartworm prevention?

The American Heartworm Society recommends a year-round prevention program, even in regions where winters are cold. Dogs have been diagnosed with heartworms in every state. Mosquito species are constantly adapting to climates and some species successfully overwinter indoors as well. Year-round prevention is the safest, and is recommended.

Is there a vaccine for heartworm disease?

No. At this time, there is no vaccine for the prevention of heartworm disease. Right now, heartworm disease can only be prevented through the use of preventive medications, which are prescribed by your veterinarian. You should determine the best prevention option for your pet by talking with your veterinarian.

Understanding Heartworm & Healing

There’s no way to predict the lasting effects any dog may experience from heartworm or any other medical conditions. Just like people, every dog is different. Some dogs recover well, while others may have ongoing needs or invisible scars from their past. Some may even have long-term effects that won’t show up right away...or ever.

What we do know is heartworm is not the dog’s fault; they didn’t choose this. It’s a medical condition, just like any other illness a dog can develop...even when protected. Heartworm doesn’t mean they were “neglected by rescue” or “overlooked in care.” These dogs often come from heartbreaking situations where they’ve very likely never had access to regular veterinary care or preventative medicine. Many of these dogs have never lived in a real home or never even been given a name. These dogs survive some of the worst of circumstances, and they still show up with hearts full of hope.

Heartworm, like many diseases, affects each animal differently. It’s important to understand that, as with any medical condition, things can change... symptoms can progress or improve, new ones can appear, things could take a turn for the worse, or complications can arise even after treatment. Just because a dog tests negative for a disease, does not show signs of a condition, or that a particular issue is not noted at the time of veterinary evaluation, it does not guarantee that it will not appear or develop in the future. Illness is not a linear path, and recovery doesn’t always unfold in a straightforward way. We can provide treatment, care, and compassion, but we can’t guarantee outcomes or perfect health; no one can. What we can promise is that these dogs are just as deserving of love, care, safety, commitment, and a chance at life as any other dog.

They didn’t choose their circumstances, but we can choose to stand by them, give them the care they need, and help them heal—however that may look. Heartworm doesn’t make a dog broken or unworthy. These dogs don’t know they’re sick. They still want to play, to cuddle, to love and be loved. With treatment, love, and patience, these dogs go on to live full, happy lives, just like any other pet!

When you adopt or foster a dog with a medical past, you’re not just saving a life; You're choosing to love them through their healing and giving a dog the best life they’ve always deserved.

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