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Marin Humane Society Urges Community: HAVE A HEART and Adopt a KATRINA DOG With Heartworm

Dozens of homeless dogs rescued from the Gulf test positive for heartworm

(NOVATO, CALIF., November 1, 2005) — The Marin Humane Society is inviting members of the Bay Area community to help dozens of heartworm-positive dogs displaced by Hurricane Katrina find new homes. The “Have A Heart” campaign seeks to educate the public about heartworm recovery and appeals to regional residents to consider adopting a Katrina dog with heartworm.

Heartworm is fairly common in the Gulf Region, where dogs are constantly exposed to mosquitoes, but is not prevalent in the Bay Area. For this reason, many people do not know the particulars about treatment protocol and may therefore be reluctant to adopt a heartworm-positive dog.

“The good news is that heartworm is curable,” says Belinda Evans, DVM, MHS veterinarian.  “But it does require a treatment protocol of 2-3 months duration, depending on its severity.”

About half of the Katrina dogs are heartworm-positive and have begun treatment. Dogs in their treatment phase ideally should live in a calm, stress-free environment. The Marin Humane Society is now making its 30 remaining heartworm-positive dogs available for adoption and providing for their medical treatment, thanks to participating veterinarians and a generous donation from Marin Luxury Cars.

Those interested in adopting a heartworm-positive dog should visit the Marin Humane Society. In addition to the normal adoption procedures, adopters will be asked to sign a “Hurricane Katrina Foster-to-Adopt Agreement,” which specifies that the adoption will not become permanent until December 31, 2005. This is to give dogs’ original guardians sufficient time to search for and claim their animals who were displaced by the storms.    this much time. 

HEARTWORM FAQS:

WHAT IS HEARTWORM?

Heartworm is a disease caused by adult white worms (6 to 14 inches long) that live in the right side of the heart and in the adjacent large blood vessels. The adult worms produce offspring, called microfilariae, which circulate in the bloodstream and can cause damage to a dog’s vital organs. 

WHERE DOES IT COME FROM?

The transmission cycle begins when a mosquito bites an infected dog and takes up blood containing microfilariae. The microfilariae incubate in the mosquito for about two weeks, during which time they become infective larvae. Then, when the mosquito bites another dog, the larvae are passed into the second dog, infecting it. The larvae migrate through the tissues of the body for about three months, and then enter the heart where they reach adult size in another three months.

IF I ADOPT A HEARTWORM-POSITIVE DOG, CAN MY RESIDENT DOG BECOME INFECTED?

                                                                                                                      Mosquitoes are the sole agent of transmission for heartworms. The disease can only be spread from dog to dog by the bite of a mosquito carrying infective larvae. At the same time, it is recommended that all dogs be on heartworm preventative medication.  

HOW DOES TREATMENT WORK?

Dogs can be successfully treated for heartworm through a series of carefully administered medications that kill the worms. During the duration of the recovery period (2-3 months), exercise should be limited to leash walking to prevent dead worms from blocking blood flow.

More information about the heartworm-positive dogs available for adoption can be found at www.marinhumanesociety.org or by calling 415-506-6225.

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