{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,21]],"date-time":"2026-08-21T13:32:33Z","timestamp":1787319153957,"version":"build-2736575974"},"reference-count":26,"publisher":"American Animal Hospital Association","issue":"5","content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":[],"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2018]]},"abstract":"<jats:title>ABSTRACT<\/jats:title>\n                  <jats:p>This descriptive study was designed to ascertain the current heartworm treatment strategies employed by veterinary graduates of a single college of veterinary medicine, to assess the frequency with which each of these treatment strategies is prescribed, and to report the motivation behind the use of these treatment strategies. A survey containing a combination of multiple-choice and open-ended questions was distributed via e-mail with an online link during 2013 to graduates of the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine. Demographic data and opinions regarding treatment for cases of canine heartworm disease (HWD) were obtained, and motivation for recommending different treatment strategies was assessed. Nearly all 170 respondents (99%) indicated that they recommend melarsomine dihydrochloride for first-line treatment of canine HWD. Exercise restriction (80%) and monthly heartworm preventive (75%) were components of the treatment approach to HWD with no clinical signs. The majority of respondents (74%) indicated that when first-line treatment recommendations were declined, they endorsed long-term administration of ivermectin (i.e., \u201cslow-kill\u201d method) despite current American Heartworm Society guidelines that recommend against the use of long-term macrocyclic lactone administration for the monotherapy treatment of canine HWD. Respondents also indicated that owners\u2019 financial concerns frequently result in modification of HWD treatment. Routine inclusion of exercise restriction is commonly, but not universally, utilized and may represent an opportunity for improvement in the management of this disease. In addition, when first-line recommendations for heartworm disease treatment are declined, a two-dose melarsomine protocol instead of the slow-kill method should be considered.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.5326\/jaaha-ms-6601","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2018,7,24]],"date-time":"2018-07-24T16:49:58Z","timestamp":1532450998000},"page":"246-256","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":9,"title":["Approaches to Canine Heartworm Disease Treatment Among Alumni of a Single College of Veterinary Medicine"],"prefix":"10.5326","volume":"54","author":[{"given":"Amy C.","family":"Dixon-Jimenez","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"From the Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery (A.C.D-J., A.E.C., G.S.R., K.E.C., I.R.) and Department of Infectious Diseases (A.R.M.), College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia; and Department of Population Health and Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina (M.C.)."}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Amanda E.","family":"Coleman","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"From the Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery (A.C.D-J., A.E.C., G.S.R., K.E.C., I.R.) and Department of Infectious Diseases (A.R.M.), College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia; and Department of Population Health and Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina (M.C.)."}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Gregg S.","family":"Rapoport","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"From the Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery (A.C.D-J., A.E.C., G.S.R., K.E.C., I.R.) and Department of Infectious Diseases (A.R.M.), College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia; and Department of Population Health and Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina (M.C.)."}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Kate E.","family":"Creevy","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"From the Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery (A.C.D-J., A.E.C., G.S.R., K.E.C., I.R.) and Department of Infectious Diseases (A.R.M.), College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia; and Department of Population Health and Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina (M.C.)."}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Ira","family":"Roth","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"From the Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery (A.C.D-J., A.E.C., G.S.R., K.E.C., I.R.) and Department of Infectious Diseases (A.R.M.), College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia; and Department of Population Health and Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina (M.C.)."}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Maria","family":"Correa","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"From the Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery (A.C.D-J., A.E.C., G.S.R., K.E.C., I.R.) and Department of Infectious Diseases (A.R.M.), College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia; and Department of Population Health and Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina (M.C.)."}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Andrew R.","family":"Moorhead","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"From the Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery (A.C.D-J., A.E.C., G.S.R., K.E.C., I.R.) and Department of Infectious Diseases (A.R.M.), College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia; and Department of Population Health and Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina (M.C.)."}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"3280","reference":[{"key":"bib1","series-title":"Textbook of veterinary internal medicine","first-page":"1353","article-title":"Heartworm disease","author":"Atkins\n              CE","year":"2010","unstructured":"Atkins\n              CE\n            \n          . Heartworm disease. In: EttingerSJ, FeldmanEC, eds. Textbook of veterinary internal medicine. 7th ed. St. Louis: Saunders; 2010:1353\u201380."},{"key":"bib2","article-title":"An epidemiologic analysis of heartworm preventives. Symposium, American Heartworm Society","author":"Glickman\n              L","year":"2007","unstructured":"Glickman\n              L\n            , GlickmanN, MooreG, et al. An epidemiologic analysis of heartworm preventives. Symposium, American Heartworm Society; 2007. http:\/\/www.heartwormsociety.org\/veterinarian-center\/abstracts.html. Accessed May 7, 2012."},{"issue":"1\u20132","key":"bib3","series-title":"Vet Parasitol","first-page":"138","article-title":"Prevalence and geographic distribution of Dirofilaria immitis, Borrelia burgdorferi, and Anaplasma phagocytophilum in dogs in the United States: Results of a national clinic-based serologic survey","volume":"160","author":"Bowman\n              D","year":"2009","unstructured":"Bowman\n              D\n            , LittleSE, LorentzenL, et al. Prevalence and geographic distribution of Dirofilaria immitis, Borrelia burgdorferi, and Anaplasma phagocytophilum in dogs in the United States: Results of a national clinic-based serologic survey. 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Seroprevalence of Dirofilaria immitis, feline leukemia virus, and feline immunodeficiency virus infection among dogs and cats exported from the 2005 Gulf Coast hurricane disaster area. J Am Vet Med Assoc2007:231(2);218\u201325."},{"key":"bib6","series-title":"The path to high-quality care. Practical tips for improving compliance","year":"2003","unstructured":"The path to high-quality care. Practical tips for improving compliance. Denver (CO): American Animal Hospital Association; 2003."},{"issue":"2\u20133","key":"bib7","series-title":"Prev Vet Med","first-page":"193","article-title":"Factors influencing heartworm, flea, and tick preventative use in patients presenting to a veterinary teaching hospital","volume":"93","author":"Gates\n              MC","year":"2010","unstructured":"Gates\n              MC\n            , NolanTJ. Factors influencing heartworm, flea, and tick preventative use in patients presenting to a veterinary teaching hospital. Prev Vet Med2010;93(2\u20133):193\u2013200."},{"key":"bib8","article-title":"2014. Current canine guidelines for the prevention, diagnosis, and management of heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) infection in dogs","unstructured":"American Heartworm Society, 2014. Current canine guidelines for the prevention, diagnosis, and management of heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) infection in dogs. https:\/\/www.heartwormsociety.org\/images\/pdf\/2014-AHS-Canine-Guidelines.pdf. Accessed April 7, 2015."},{"key":"bib9","article-title":"Further evidence of clinical prophylactic (reach back) and adulticide activity of monthly administration of ivermectin and pyrantel pamoate in dogs experimentally infected with heartworms. 10th Triennial Heartworm Symposium","volume":"46","author":"McCall\n              JW","year":"2001","unstructured":"McCall\n              JW\n            , RobertsRE, SuakornjejMS, et al. Further evidence of clinical prophylactic (reach back) and adulticide activity of monthly administration of ivermectin and pyrantel pamoate in dogs experimentally infected with heartworms. 10th Triennial Heartworm Symposium; 2001; San Antonio, TX. 46."},{"issue":"3\u20134","key":"bib10","series-title":"Vet Parasitol","first-page":"259","article-title":"Efficacy of long-term monthly administration of ivermectin on the progress of naturally acquired heartworm infection in dogs","volume":"124","author":"Venco\n              L","year":"2004","unstructured":"Venco\n              L\n            , McCallJW, GuerreroJ, et al. Efficacy of long-term monthly administration of ivermectin on the progress of naturally acquired heartworm infection in dogs. Vet Parasitol2004;124(3\u20134):259\u201368."},{"issue":"3\u20134","key":"bib11","series-title":"Vet Parasitol","first-page":"242","article-title":"Computed tomography (CT) observation of pulmonary emboli caused by long-term administration of ivermectin in dogs experimentally infected with heartworms","volume":"155","author":"Takahashi\n              A","year":"2008","unstructured":"Takahashi\n              A\n            , YamadaK, KishimotoM, et al. Computed tomography (CT) observation of pulmonary emboli caused by long-term administration of ivermectin in dogs experimentally infected with heartworms. Vet Parasitol2008;155(3\u20134):242\u20138."},{"key":"bib12","series-title":"American Heartworm Society","first-page":"225","article-title":"Influence of exercise on recovery of dogs following heartworm adulticide treatment with melarsomine","author":"Fukami\n              N","year":"1998","unstructured":"Fukami\n              N\n            , HagioM, OkanoS, et al. Influence of exercise on recovery of dogs following heartworm adulticide treatment with melarsomine. American Heartworm Society; 1998; Batavia, IL. 225\u20137."},{"key":"bib13","first-page":"113","article-title":"Influence of number of parasites and exercise on the severity of heartworm disease in dogs. In: Proceedings of the Heartworm Symposium","author":"Dillon\n              AR","year":"1995","unstructured":"Dillon\n              AR\n            , BrawnerWR, HanrahanL. Influence of number of parasites and exercise on the severity of heartworm disease in dogs. In: Proceedings of the Heartworm Symposium; 1995; Batavia, IL. Abstract113\u20134."},{"issue":"6","key":"bib14","series-title":"Am J Vet Res","first-page":"920","article-title":"Pulmonary thromboembolism and hypertension after thiacetarsamide vs melarsomine dihydrochloride treatment of Dirofilaria immitis infection in dogs","volume":"54","author":"Rawlings\n              CA","year":"1993","unstructured":"Rawlings\n              CA\n            , RaynaudJP, LewisRE, et al. Pulmonary thromboembolism and hypertension after thiacetarsamide vs melarsomine dihydrochloride treatment of Dirofilaria immitis infection in dogs. Am J Vet Res1993;54(6):920\u20135."},{"issue":"4","key":"bib15","series-title":"Vet Med","first-page":"310","article-title":"Is there a better way to administer heartworm adulticidal therapy?","volume":"98","author":"Atkins\n              CE","year":"2003","unstructured":"Atkins\n              CE\n            , MillerMW. Is there a better way to administer heartworm adulticidal therapy?Vet Med2003;98(4):310\u20137."},{"issue":"3","key":"bib16","series-title":"Exp Parsitol","first-page":"405","article-title":"Dirofilaria immitis: diethylcarbamazine-induced anaphylactic reactions in infected dogs","volume":"61","author":"Hamilton\n              RG","year":"1986","unstructured":"Hamilton\n              RG\n            , WagnerE, AprilM. Dirofilaria immitis: diethylcarbamazine-induced anaphylactic reactions in infected dogs. Exp Parsitol1986;61(3):405\u201320."},{"issue":"3","key":"bib17","series-title":"Vet Parasitol","first-page":"204","article-title":"Heartworm and Wolbachia: therapeutic implications","volume":"158","author":"McCall\n              JW","year":"2008","unstructured":"McCall\n              JW\n            , GenchiC, KramerL, et al. Heartworm and Wolbachia: therapeutic implications. Vet Parasitol2008;158(3):204\u201314."},{"issue":"3\u20134","key":"bib18","series-title":"Vet Parasitol","first-page":"347","article-title":"A combination of doxycycline and ivermectin is adulticidal in dogs with naturally acquired heartworm disease (Dirofilaria immitis)","volume":"169","author":"Grandi\n              G","year":"2010","unstructured":"Grandi\n              G\n            , QuintavallaC, MavropoulouA, et al. A combination of doxycycline and ivermectin is adulticidal in dogs with naturally acquired heartworm disease (Dirofilaria immitis). Vet Parasitol2010;169(3\u20134):347\u201351."},{"issue":"12","key":"bib19","series-title":"Int J Parasitol","first-page":"1401","article-title":"Combined ivermectin and doxycycline treatment has microfilaricidal and adulticidal activity against Dirofilaria immitis in experimentally infected dogs","volume":"38","author":"Bazzocchi\n              C","year":"2008","unstructured":"Bazzocchi\n              C\n            , MortarinoM, GrandiG, et al. Combined ivermectin and doxycycline treatment has microfilaricidal and adulticidal activity against Dirofilaria immitis in experimentally infected dogs. Int J Parasitol2008;38(12):1401\u201310."},{"issue":"4","key":"bib20","series-title":"Vet Parasitol","first-page":"357","article-title":"Evaluation of lung pathology in Dirofilaria immitis-experimentally infected dogs treated with doxycycline or a combination of doxycycline and ivermectin before administration of melarsomine dihydrochloride","volume":"176","author":"Kramer\n              L","year":"2011","unstructured":"Kramer\n              L\n            , GrandiG, PasseriB, et al. Evaluation of lung pathology in Dirofilaria immitis-experimentally infected dogs treated with doxycycline or a combination of doxycycline and ivermectin before administration of melarsomine dihydrochloride. Vet Parasitol2011;176(4):357\u201360."},{"issue":"4","key":"bib21","series-title":"Vet Parasitol","first-page":"361","article-title":"Effects of doxycycline on early infections of Dirofilaria immitis in dogs","volume":"176","author":"McCall\n              JW","year":"2011","unstructured":"McCall\n              JW\n            , KramerL, GenchiC, et al. Effects of doxycycline on early infections of Dirofilaria immitis in dogs. Vet Parasitol2011;176(4):361\u20137."},{"issue":"1\u20132","key":"bib22","series-title":"Vet Parasitol","first-page":"119","article-title":"Effects of doxycycline on the endosymbiont Wolbachia in Dirofilaria immitis (Leidy, 1856)\u2013naturally infected dogs","volume":"174","author":"Rossi\n              MI","year":"2010","unstructured":"Rossi\n              MI\n            , PaivaJ, BendasA, et al. Effects of doxycycline on the endosymbiont Wolbachia in Dirofilaria immitis (Leidy, 1856)\u2013naturally infected dogs. 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Effects of treatment with aspirin or aspirin\/dipyridamole combination in heartworm negative, heartworm-infected and embolized heartworm infected dogs. Am J Vet Res1991;52(12):1992\u20139."},{"issue":"4","key":"bib25","series-title":"Thromb Haemost","first-page":"680","article-title":"Effect of long-term aspirin treatment on platelet adhesion to chronically damaged canine pulmonary arterioles","volume":"46","author":"Schaub\n              RG","year":"1981","unstructured":"Schaub\n              RG\n            , RawlingsCA, KeithJCJr. Effect of long-term aspirin treatment on platelet adhesion to chronically damaged canine pulmonary arterioles. 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Vet Parasitol2005;133(2\u20133):197\u2013206."}],"container-title":["Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association"],"original-title":[],"link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/jaaha.kglmeridian.com\/view\/journals\/aaha\/54\/5\/article-p246.xml","content-type":"text\/html","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"http:\/\/meridian.allenpress.com\/jaaha\/article-pdf\/54\/5\/246\/1590226\/jaaha-ms-6601.pdf","content-type":"application\/pdf","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"syndication"},{"URL":"https:\/\/jaaha.kglmeridian.com\/downloadpdf\/journals\/aaha\/54\/5\/article-p246.xml","content-type":"text\/html","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"syndication"},{"URL":"https:\/\/jaaha.kglmeridian.com\/downloadpdf\/journals\/aaha\/54\/5\/article-p246.xml","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2025,11,21]],"date-time":"2025-11-21T16:01:27Z","timestamp":1763740887000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/jaaha.kglmeridian.com\/view\/journals\/aaha\/54\/5\/article-p246.xml"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2018]]},"references-count":26,"journal-issue":{"issue":"5"},"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.5326\/jaaha-ms-6601","relation":{},"ISSN":["0587-2871","1547-3317"],"issn-type":[{"value":"0587-2871","type":"print"},{"value":"1547-3317","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2018]]}}}