What class of drug is melarsomine?
This compound belongs to the class of organic compounds known as aniline and substituted anilines. These are organic compounds containing an aminobenzene moiety.
What is in melarsomine?
Melarsomine contains arsenic, which is the active ingredient that kills both the adult and immature (>4 months old) heartworms. After treatment with melarsomine, the patient should undergo cage rest for four to six weeks.
Does melarsomine kill microfilaria?
(Melarsomine does not kill L1, microfilariae.) Melarsomine has a dose-related kill rate. By administering 50% of the standard dosage (one dose rather than two), approximately 50% fewer worms are killed, thus reducing pulmonary thromboembolic complications.
How long does it take melarsomine to kill heartworms?
Approximately 50% (most males and some of the females) of adult worms are killed. Two follow-up injections (2.5 mg/kg each) at a 24-hour interval are administered after 1 to 3 months.
What are the side effects of melarsomine?
Common side effects include injection site irritation (accompanied by pain, swelling, tenderness and reluctance to move), coughing/gagging, depression/lethargy, anorexia/inappetence, fever, lung congestion and vomiting. All patients should be monitored during treatment and for up to 24 hours after the last injection.
Where do I inject my dogs melarsomine?
WARNING DIROBAN® should be administered by deep intramuscular injection in the epaxial (lumbar) muscles (L3 – L5) ONLY. DO NOT USE IN ANY OTHER MUSCLE GROUP. DO NOT USE INTRAVENOUSLY. Care should be taken to avoid superficial injection or leakage (see SAFETY).
Where do I inject melarsomine?
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION DIROBAN should be administered ONLY by deep intramuscular injection in the epaxial (lumbar) muscles in the third and fifth lumbar region (see graphic). DO NOT ADMINISTER AT ANY OTHER SITE.
What is fast kill heartworm treatment?
The recommended treatment method is fast kill: a series of drug injections (melarsomine) over 2 months time that could also kill the dog if the worm burden is heavy enough and costs a significant amount of money (~$1000CA).
Does doxycycline kill heartworms?
Unfortunately, prolonged doxycycline therapy does not kill heartworms because they are not sufficiently bound to their bacterial symbionts.
What are the long term effects of heartworm?
The adult worms cause inflammation of the blood vessels and can block blood flow leading to pulmonary thrombosis (clots in the lungs) and heart failure. Remember, heartworms are “foot-long” parasites and the damage they cause can be severe. Heartworm disease can also lead to liver or kidney failure.