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My dog has heartworm. How to treat it without breaking the bank?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Bulldog | Male | unneutered | 1 year and 7 months old | 160 lbs

How can i treat my dog for heartworm if I can't afford the medication prescribed by the vet. I'm a single parent and only make min wage income. My dog is sick and I don't know what to do to help him without his medicine. Please give me info on any or all alternatives that can treat or kill adult heartworms!

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Sara Farmer, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on July 24th, 2017

Melarsomine is the only medication that can kill adult heartworms, and there unfortunately is not a less expensive option. Sometimes veterinarians will discuss what is commonly known as a 'slow kill' method, but in reality this means starting an antibiotic to weaken the heartworms and then giving a monthly preventative and waiting for the heartworms to die on their own. Some veterinarians do not recommend this due to the potential to develop resistant heartworm infections. If Waylon is not symptomatic this might be an option. He would be at risk for developing side effects from the dying heartworms for 1-2 years and exercise restriction is recommended during that time.

You should talk to your veterinarian and ask about all of your different options, and you could also try contacting rescue groups in your area to see if there are any that could help with heartworm treatment. You also may want to look into Care Credit (www.carecredit.com).

28Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Jessica Desrosiers
Veterinary Technician
If Waylon currently has a heartworm infection he needs to be under the direct supervision of a veterinarian for treatment. Heartworm treatment requires delicate care as killing off the worms too quickly can cause them to break off into the smaller blood vessels, leading to blockages which can cause stroke or even death depending on where they are. Most heartworm treatment requires a slow course of medications and close monitoring over a period of weeks to successfully be treated. Attempting to treat on your own is dangerous and can be deadly.

If you are having trouble affording veterinary, this site can help give you some ideas to help make it more affordable so that Waylon can get the care he needs: http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/resources/tips/trouble_affording_veterinary_care.html
17Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS
Veterinarian
Published on February 26th, 2017
I personally as well don't recommend the slow kill method simply because heartworm disease is so serous and deadly. If you cannot afford the other two immiticide injections, then you really have no choice but to continue on the ivermectin and doxycycline. You can try to save up to afford the other two rounds of injections, see if your vet accepts payment plans, or you can apply for Care Credit. I also have a few other resources I can give you that may help you afford the injections:

God's Creatures Ministry helps pay for veterinarian bills for those who need help. 
The Onyx & Breezy Foundation has many programs including helping people with medical bills. They are a good resource for information. 
Brown Dog Foundation provides funding to families with a sick pet that would likely respond to treatment, but due to circumstances, there is not enough money immediately available to pay.

I hope one of these helps you! Good luck with Lucy and I hope she recovers fully.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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How can I treat my dog's heartworms at home if money is tight?

Hi, thanks for using PetCoach! Unfortunately no. There is a slow kill method using oral Heartgard monthly but it can take a year or more and allows more damage to occur to the lungs of the dog. You would also need to get the medication for your Vet. Rocky would have to be exercise restricted for 1-2 years. The 3 injection technique using adulticide is the standard of care. Below is the protocol from the American Heart worm Society. I wish you and Rocky the best! https://www.heartwormsociety.org/images/pdf/Canine-Guidelines-Summary.pdf

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My dog was diagnosed with heartworms. What are the treatment options?

I'm sorry Milo has heartworms! There's only one drug that is approved by the FDA to treat and kill heartworms, and that is melarsomine. This drug is given by injection, and can only be given in a vet hospital by the vet. Speak to your vet about treating him for heartworm, and check out this website which has more information on the disease. I hope this helps! https://www.heartwormsociety.org/heartworm-positive-dogs

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There is really only one treatment for adult heartworm disease which is given by injection. The other method is just continuing to use preventative medications so they don’t continue to be bitten and infected with more heartworms. The hope is over time the worms will die. This may take years and the worms will continue to do damage to the body while they exist. Heartworm disease is complicated and devastating and the treatment does have the potential for side effects. If Scooby does have heartworm disease then a long conversation with your veterinarian about treatment plans would be advised. American heartworm society https://www.heartwormsociety.org. Has some great information and resources as well. Best of luck and thank you for using Pet Coach.

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My dog has heartworms. Is ivermectin the best treatment option?

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My adopted dog is heartworm low-positive. What's the treatment?

A "low positive" may mean a low adult heartworm burden. The preventive is to kill any immature heartworm (microfilariae). The doxycyline is to kill the wolbachia bacteria. This is an organism that lives within the heartworm parasite as a symbiont. This portion of the treatment lasts 30 days after which medication is given via injection to kill adult heartworm. Treatment is outlined at the link below. https://d3ft8sckhnqim2.cloudfront.net/images/pdf/HeartwormTreatmentGuide_PetOwnerColor.pdf?1561720859

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My dog has advanced heartworms. Is treatment worth the risk?

The heartworms will kill her if you don't attempt treatment. At least with the treatment there is a chance she will survive. The vet can do a "slow kill" protocol and uses the immiticide injections over a longer period of time. That is what we do here in the States when we have a dog with advanced stage heartworm disease. Hope this answers your question. Best wishes.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

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