puppy question for dr doug

We adopted a terrier mix that had heart worm when she was taken by the rescue agency. Her mother and sister were too sick to save. My pup was about a year old when they started treating her. I got her when she was about 18 months. She does have a heart murmur but not sure if that is related to the heart worm. She is a healthy, happy and rambunctious 7 year old and nothing seems to be slowing her down.

ok thanks. I have new vet lined up based on recommendations (moved so old vet is too far away). so when/if the adoption goes through I can fill her in. The rescue is one that makes you sign a contract stating the dog will be on preventatives for life. The puppies are somewhere between 8-12 weeks old. Not sure at what age prevention starts or if they started it yet. based upon what I've read if they're old enough then it would have been started. They rehome the dogs current on all age appropriate vaccines/preventatives and spayed/neutered if old enough... if not bring the dog back when it is old enough and spay/neuter will be covered by the adoption fee we pay.

Good information. The puppies should be put on heartworm preventive at the earliest possible time. There can be some reaction with the die off of the microfilaria, so you should make sure your vet is up to date on what you are doing and what is going on.

There should be no long term consequences.

I'm still waiting to hear back from the rescue... it can take 2 weeks. Just trying to be prepared. I don't mind putting some time, effort and money into helping the puppy but don't want it to drop dead in a few weeks. I don't think my DD could go through losing another dog this soon. She lost her life long 4 legged best friend in feb and still has crying episodes over it.

thanks for the info.

I'm not Dr Doug - but my 2 cents:
I think puppies as young as 6 weeks can be started on heartworm preventative. If the puppies are started on preventative before they are 6 months old, they do not have to be tested.

Dr Doug can tell you for sure if there are any extra problems to anticipate better than me, though. There are so many new heartworm preventatives on the market, I'm not sure if the pups can have them at 6 weeks of age.

QUESTION-Can heartworm larvae in an infected mother dog spread to the puppies through her bloodstream?

ANSWER- Yes, however these infections are of little consequence to the puppies. The stage of heartworm circulating in the mother's blood are themicrofilaria, the first larval stage of heartworms. The microfilaria can not develop into adult heartworms until they first pass through the mosquito. Only through the mosquito bite can a pet become infected with heartworms. Any microfilaria transmitted to the unborn puppy will be eliminated when the puppy is placed on heartworm prevention.

(This information came from the American Heartworm Society's site: http://www.heartwormsociety.org/pet-owner-resources/faqs.html)