Heartworm Medicine Side Effects

By Rena Sherwood

Instructions

Warning

Step 1:
Preventative medicine for heartworms cannot be given to a dog that already has adult heartworms living in the heart. They would need another medicine entirely. These medicines cannot be given at the same time.

If Worms Are Present

Step 1:
Medications to kill adult heartworms include melarsamine and thiacetarsamide. Bad reactions include vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite and jaundice.

Preventative Medication

Step 1:
Preventative medicines that kill the immature heartworms come in tablet or liquid forms. Bad side effects from these types of medicine are loss of coordination, dilated pupils and trouble breathing.

Considerations

Step 1:
In preventative heartworm medication like ivermectin, dosage size is determined by how much the dog weighs. Bad side effects can occur if the dog is given too much medication for his weight.

Note About Herding Breeds

Step 1:
Collies and sheepdogs are more susceptible to getting bad reactions to preventative heartworm medication than other breeds.

Resources

Photo/Video Credit

An immature but dangerous heartworm. Image from Wikimedia Commons.

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