The drug manufacturer, Merial, announced this month that they are “officially out” of the only FDA approved treatment to kill adult heartworms in dogs. The date for which Immiticide will become available again is unknown. Therefore, we at Central Houston Animal Hospital are following the American Heartworm Society’s recommendations on which heartworm positive dogs to treat first. We are basing this on the severity of disease and symptoms in each pet.
There are other treatment options that we have available to help alleviate symptoms and reduce the damage in positive dogs in the interim.
The take home message from this recent shortage is that PREVENTION is the key. We have several preventative options available. Heartworm prevention needs to be given to every dog and cat every month of the year here in Houston. The reason for this is that heartworms are spread by mosquitoes which are present here year round.
If you feel your pet may be at risk for heartworms, please contact Central Houston Animal Hospital today for an appointment.
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