OVERVIEW
The Darlington County Humane Society takes in many, many dogs that test positive for heartworm.
It's a very common disease that is easily transmitted by mosquitoes. It is also very easy to prevent
it. But unfortunately for these dogs that find their way to the shelter, they were not kept on monthly
heartworm preventative. It is much cheaper to prevent this disease than it is to treat it. And if the
disease is not treated, then it can be fatal as it affects a very critical organ in the body - the heart.
HELP FOR HEARTS!
Treatment for heartworm is typically done by giving two injections. It is quite a costly treatment and
depending on the size of the dog, it can range from $300-$500.
**Unless otherwise noted, the ChipIn! for each featured dog on the Help For Hearts link will also
include funds for basic vetting (spay/neuter, vaccinations, de-worming and hw test).**
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Several heartworm positive dogs will be featured on this webpage. A ChipIn! will be posted next to
each dog so that you can donate that way. Due to kennel space limitations, not all heartworm
positive dogs will be able to be featured here. However - the quicker we raise the money for each
featured dog, then we can fund raise for the next one! So, it is imperative that we raise the funds
quickly so that more positive dogs can get the necessary treatment to put them on the road to
health.
The Darlington County Humane Society takes in many, many dogs that test positive for heartworm.
It's a very common disease that is easily transmitted by mosquitoes. It is also very easy to prevent
it. But unfortunately for these dogs that find their way to the shelter, they were not kept on monthly
heartworm preventative. It is much cheaper to prevent this disease than it is to treat it. And if the
disease is not treated, then it can be fatal as it affects a very critical organ in the body - the heart.
HELP FOR HEARTS!
Treatment for heartworm is typically done by giving two injections. It is quite a costly treatment and
depending on the size of the dog, it can range from $300-$500.
**Unless otherwise noted, the ChipIn! for each featured dog on the Help For Hearts link will also
include funds for basic vetting (spay/neuter, vaccinations, de-worming and hw test).**
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Several heartworm positive dogs will be featured on this webpage. A ChipIn! will be posted next to
each dog so that you can donate that way. Due to kennel space limitations, not all heartworm
positive dogs will be able to be featured here. However - the quicker we raise the money for each
featured dog, then we can fund raise for the next one! So, it is imperative that we raise the funds
quickly so that more positive dogs can get the necessary treatment to put them on the road to
health.
HELP FOR HEARTS!
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| FEATURED HEARTWORM POSITIVE DOGS |
| SUCCESS STORIES!!! |
DARLINGTON K - 911
| DCHS is a 501c3 non-profit organization so donations are tax deductible as allowed by law! |
Due to "unforseen technical difficulties" Merial
announced that they are experiencing production
shortages of Immiticide (melarsomine dihydrochloride).
Immiticide, currently the only drug available to treat adult
heartworms, will not be back in production until April of
2010. Veterinarians and shelters can no longer order the
amounts they need through their representative, but
instead are being asked to call the Merial Customer Care
line at 888.637.4251. In order to receive the drug, Merial
technicians now have to approve each and every sale of
Immiticide and will screen patient medical information to
determine which animals will receive the drug. Merial is
currently approving Immiticide only for emergency
patients and those with the greatest need for the drug on
a case-by-case basis.
This recent development has resulted in the Darlington
K-911 "Help For Hearts" program to temporarily shut
down. We are hopeful that we can start it up again once
the shortage is over in April 2010. Thanks everyone for
caring about our dogs. We are praying that our positive
dogs will still be rescued even in light of this horrible
news. Currently we are researching alternative methods
for HW Treatment. Alternative treatments do exist - they
just typically take much longer to rid the dogs body of
heartworm - some treatments take 4 months while others
take a slower approach of 2 years. We will be sure to
keep you posted on further developments!
announced that they are experiencing production
shortages of Immiticide (melarsomine dihydrochloride).
Immiticide, currently the only drug available to treat adult
heartworms, will not be back in production until April of
2010. Veterinarians and shelters can no longer order the
amounts they need through their representative, but
instead are being asked to call the Merial Customer Care
line at 888.637.4251. In order to receive the drug, Merial
technicians now have to approve each and every sale of
Immiticide and will screen patient medical information to
determine which animals will receive the drug. Merial is
currently approving Immiticide only for emergency
patients and those with the greatest need for the drug on
a case-by-case basis.
This recent development has resulted in the Darlington
K-911 "Help For Hearts" program to temporarily shut
down. We are hopeful that we can start it up again once
the shortage is over in April 2010. Thanks everyone for
caring about our dogs. We are praying that our positive
dogs will still be rescued even in light of this horrible
news. Currently we are researching alternative methods
for HW Treatment. Alternative treatments do exist - they
just typically take much longer to rid the dogs body of
heartworm - some treatments take 4 months while others
take a slower approach of 2 years. We will be sure to
keep you posted on further developments!