Case of the Week: Benny the Brave — A Heartworm Treatment Success Story
When Benny was adopted, his new family gave him exactly what every rescued dog deserves: a loving home and responsible veterinary care from day one.
Like many adopted pets along the Gulf Coast, Benny’s story also came with an unexpected challenge. Shortly after settling into his new home, his family brought him in for a wellness visit and made sure he started heartworm prevention right away with ProHeart®.
They did everything right—and they never missed a dose.
But sometimes heartworm disease begins before a pet even reaches their forever home.
Benny’s Unexpected Diagnosis
About a year after his adoption, Benny came in for his annual heartworm test. Regular testing is important because heartworms take about 6–7 months to mature and become detectable on standard screening tests.
When Benny’s test came back positive for heartworm disease, it was a surprise for everyone.
However, after reviewing his history, it became clear that Benny’s exposure likely occurred before he was adopted. Even though he was protected with prevention once he joined his new family, the infection had already begun developing earlier.
Situations like this can occasionally happen in rescue dogs because heartworm larvae can be present months before they show up on a test.
Jerri our resident heartworm tech, jumped in going through all the options and discussing treatment with Benny’s family.
Doing the Right Thing: Starting Heartworm Treatment
Benny’s family immediately chose to move forward with heartworm treatment to eliminate the infection and protect his long-term health.
Heartworm treatment involves a carefully controlled process designed to safely eliminate adult heartworms living in the heart and pulmonary arteries.
Benny’s treatment plan included:
- A series of melarsomine (Diroban®) injections
- Anti-inflammatory medications
- Careful veterinary monitoring
- Strict exercise restriction (cage rest) to reduce complications
While the treatment process can sound intimidating, many dogs—like Benny—handle it very well with proper care and support.
Support from Zoetis
Because Benny’s family had done everything right—starting prevention immediately and maintaining it consistently—the pharmaceutical company Zoetis stepped up to help.
Zoetis provided Diroban®, the medication used for heartworm treatment, helping support Benny through the process.
Programs like this exist to encourage responsible pet ownership and support families who follow recommended prevention protocols.
Benny’s Progress So Far
We’re happy to report that Benny has done fantastic during treatment.
He has successfully completed:
✔ His first set of heartworm injections
✔ His second set of injections
✔ The most critical part of the treatment protocol
Right now, Benny is finishing the final phase of cage rest, which allows his body time to safely clear the dead heartworms from his system.
This quiet recovery period is extremely important because as the worms die, they break down and are absorbed by the body.
What Happens Next?
Benny will continue taking it easy while finishing his recovery period.
His next big milestone will be:
🩺 A follow-up heartworm test in about six months
This test helps confirm that the infection has been successfully cleared and that Benny is officially heartworm-free.
Why Benny’s Story Matters
Benny’s case is a powerful reminder of two important things:
- Heartworm prevention is essential.
Even though Benny’s infection likely occurred before adoption, his family’s commitment to prevention helped ensure he received the care he needed. - Early detection saves lives.
Annual heartworm testing allowed us to catch Benny’s infection and start treatment before severe complications developed.
Thanks to a loving family, responsible veterinary care, and a little help from Zoetis, Benny is well on his way to a healthy, heartworm-free future.
The Takeaway for Pet Owners
Heartworm disease is common in Louisiana and throughout the Gulf Coast, where mosquitoes are active much of the year.
The best protection for pets includes:
- Year-round heartworm prevention
- Annual heartworm testing
- Prompt veterinary care if a pet tests positive
Stories like Benny’s remind us how important these simple steps can be in protecting the pets we love.
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