We take care of my landlord's cat and she recently tested positive for heartworms.
I was told by the clinic that I should bring her back for a first dose of medication under observation. They can't 'cure' heartworms in cats but they can give Heartgard to kill baby worms in her and prevent future worms from growing. The first dose is the most dangerous. If it kills too many worms at once they can float out of her heart and cause a heart attack or lung blockage.
I was also told that once the adult heartworms inside her die it can mean instant death at any point later on.
I am really confused about what to do here. I don't want to take her in to be given medicine that might kill her so she can just die in a cage. That sounds horrid.
However, the medicine will prevent FUTURE heartworms from growing in her. So if she can survive the first dose of medicine, AND survive the death of the adult worms inside her now, she won't ever get more worms, so I am told.
Please tell me what to do. I am really confused.
I was told by the clinic that I should bring her back for a first dose of medication under observation. They can't 'cure' heartworms in cats but they can give Heartgard to kill baby worms in her and prevent future worms from growing. The first dose is the most dangerous. If it kills too many worms at once they can float out of her heart and cause a heart attack or lung blockage.
I was also told that once the adult heartworms inside her die it can mean instant death at any point later on.
I am really confused about what to do here. I don't want to take her in to be given medicine that might kill her so she can just die in a cage. That sounds horrid.
However, the medicine will prevent FUTURE heartworms from growing in her. So if she can survive the first dose of medicine, AND survive the death of the adult worms inside her now, she won't ever get more worms, so I am told.
Please tell me what to do. I am really confused.
