Heartworm disease poses a significant threat to our canine companions. This guide will cover the financial implications of treatment and how Odie can assist you in lowering the cost of treatment. 

What is Heartworm Disease?

Heartworm disease is a serious, potentially fatal condition in pets caused by foot-long worms that live in the heart, lungs, and blood vessels, leading to severe lung disease, heart failure, and organ damage. It affects dogs, cats, ferrets, and other mammals, including foxes and coyotes, which are key carriers in urban areas. Dogs are natural hosts, where heartworms mature, reproduce, and can grow in large numbers if untreated, causing lasting damage to the heart, lungs, and arteries.

Confirming a Heartworm Diagnosis

When heartworm disease is suspected, the first step is to confirm the diagnosis through a series of tests. It’s essential to understand that early detection can significantly impact treatment success. The diagnostic process typically involves:

• Antigen Test: This straightforward blood test detects the presence of heartworm antigens.
• Microfilaria Test: This test examines the dog’s bloodstream for heartworm larvae.
• Radiographic Examination (X-rays): X-rays help assess the severity of the infection and any potential organ damage.

The cost of these tests can vary widely depending on your location and the veterinary clinic, generally ranging from $20 to $40 or more.

Evaluating the Stage of Heartworm Disease

Once a positive diagnosis is confirmed, the veterinarian will determine the stage of the heartworm infection. This assessment is used to craft an appropriate treatment plan and understand associated costs.  Heartworm disease stages include:

• Stage 1: Mild infection with few symptoms
• Stage 2: Moderate infection showing some clinical signs
• Stage 3: Severe infection with significant organ damage
• Stage 4: Life-threatening infection with advanced organ failure

The cost of treatment can escalate with more advanced stages, necessitating more extensive interventions. The cost of chest x-rays generally varies from $125 to $200, and the cost of an echocardiogram may vary from $500 to $1,000.

Initial Therapeutic Steps

The initial treatment phase often includes administering doxycycline and steroids. Doxycycline weakens the heartworms, while steroids manage the inflammatory response that treatment can trigger. During this phase, the dog will typically follow a 4-6 week regimen of doxycycline and steroids to prepare for the next stage involving adulticide medication. Costs for this initial treatment can range from $30 to $150, depending on dosage and duration.

Cost of Heartworm Prevention

While this guide focuses on treatment costs, it’s worth noting that prevention is significantly more affordable. Heartworm preventive medications, such as tablets, generally range from $6 to $18.

Limiting Physical Activity During Treatment

Throughout treatment, it’s vital to restrict the dog’s physical activity to minimize complications. This may require keeping your dog confined to a crate or a small room, with only short, leashed walks allowed. The costs associated with this management can vary, including crate rentals or hiring dog sitters.

Final Treatment Phases

The concluding phase of heartworm treatment involves administering adulticide medication designed to kill adult heartworms. This process is typically executed in two stages, allowing the dog to recover in between. The cost of heartworm adulticide medication can vary significantly, ranging from $500 to $1,500 or more, depending on the medication and the size of your dog.

A Complication of Heartworm Disease

In severe cases of heartworm disease, dogs can develop a complication known as caval syndrome. This condition arises when adult heartworms occupy a significant portion of the right side of the heart, blocking the blood vessels that supply it with blood. Caval syndrome is characterized by severe symptoms such as collapse, shock, and destruction of red blood cells, and it is often fatal. The only treatment available for this condition is the emergency surgical removal of the heartworms, which can be quite costly, ranging from $3,000 to $6,000.

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How Does Pet Insurance Can Help?

Pet insurance can help alleviate the financial burden of heartworm treatment costs. While most pet insurance plans do not cover pre-existing conditions, if your dog is enrolled before being diagnosed with heartworm disease, they may cover the cost of future treatments.  Additionally, a Wellness Plan can help reimburse for routine heartworm preventative medication.

What Does Odie Pet Insurance Cover?

Pet insurance covers various veterinary expenses, providing financial protection and peace of mind for pet owners. Here are the details of the coverage options offered by Odie Pet Insurance:

Illness & Injury Plan

The Illness & Injury Plan is an all-inclusive insurance plan designed to cover a wide range of medical needs for your pet. This plan includes comprehensive coverage for various illnesses, injuries, and veterinary services. Some of the covered items include:

• 24/7 Televet Chat
• Emergency vet visits
• Overnight hospital stays
• IV Fluids & Medications
• Medical Supplies
• Surgeries
• MRI/CAT Scans
• Rehabilitative Care
• Prescription Medications
• Gastrointestinal issues
• Laboratory Tests

Accident-Only Plan

The Accident-Only Plan is designed for pet owners seeking coverage specifically for accidents. This plan provides financial protection for emergency veterinary care resulting from accidental injuries. It includes 90% reimbursement up to $10,000 each year, with a $250 annual deductible.  Here’s an overview of the Accident-Only Plan:

• Coverage for broken bones, sprains, eye injuries, and traumatic dental fractures.
• Coverage for wounds, including bite wounds, lacerations, snake bites, and bee stings.
• Veterinary treatments covered for accidental injuries include X-rays & ultrasounds, laboratory tests, emergency care, hospitalization, CT scan & MRI, and surgery.

The Wellness Add-on Plan

The Wellness Plan is an add-on for routine care coverage you can purchase with an insurance policy. It focuses on preventive care and covers routine veterinary services. Odie has two wellness plan options available: 

 Basic Plan:

• Covers services such as spay/neuter and teeth cleaning, rabies vaccination, flea & tick prevention, heartworm prevention, vaccination/titer, wellness exam, heartworm test or FELV screen, blood, fecal, parasite exam, microchip, urinalysis or ERD, and deworming.
• Reimbursement up to $305 per year.

Plus Plan:

• Ideal for puppies and kittens.
• Covers services such as spay/neuter and teeth cleaning, rabies vaccination, flea & tick prevention, heartworm prevention, vaccination/titer, wellness exam, heartworm test or FELV screen, blood, fecal, parasite exam, microchip, urinalysis or ERD, and deworming.
• Reimbursement up to $535 per year.