Written from the perspective of Max, a brave one-year-old pup who is undergoing heartworm treatment.

Hi humans, I’m Max. 

I’m just over a year old, still practically a puppy, but I’ve already been through something no dog should ever have to face: heartworm treatment.

Not that long ago, I didn’t have a home. I was wandering without a family, unsure of what would come next. Thankfully, some kind folks found me, and then something amazing happened—I got adopted! My new human, Tara, is the best. She gave me a cozy home, a doggy sister I absolutely adore, and a huge backyard where we could run and play all day long.

But that joyful life came to a sudden stop.

Tara noticed I was having trouble breathing. It wasn’t just panting after a run—I was really struggling. So she took me to the Pet Resource Center of Kansas City to get checked out. That’s when we found out I had heartworm disease. Not just the early stages, either. Despite being only a year old, the worms had already reached my lungs. That’s how fast it can happen—from just one bite by an infected mosquito. A bite that nearly changed my life forever.

The Reality of Heartworm Treatment

If you’ve never known a dog going through heartworm treatment, I want to give you a glimpse of what it’s really like.

First came the pills. For 30 days, I had to take medicine twice a day to prepare my body for what was to come. It may not sound like a lot, but when you’re young, energetic, and just want to play with your sister, it feels like forever.

Then, the hardest part of all: no more running. No fetch. No wrestling. No long walks. I wasn’t even allowed off-leash in the yard. Just short potty breaks—on a leash—and then straight back inside. Why? Because too much excitement can cause the worms in my body to move or die too fast, which can lead to blockages in my lungs or heart. And that can be deadly.

Next came the big injections.

The treatment for adult heartworms is called melarsomine, a powerful medication made from arsenic. Yes, arsenic. The injections are given deep into the muscles near the spine—painful and hard on our little bodies. I still have two more rounds to go. Some dogs feel sick after, and I won’t lie—it hurts. But I’m trying my best to be brave.

Why It Matters

You might be wondering: Why go through all this? Why not just skip it?

Because heartworm disease is fatal if left untreated. These worms can grow up to a foot long and live in a dog’s heart, lungs, and blood vessels. They can cause lasting damage to organs, restrict breathing, and, eventually, lead to death.

Even during treatment, there’s risk. If I get too excited and a worm breaks loose, it could cause a blockage. That’s why I have to stay calm—even when all I want is to chase a ball or wrestle with my sister.

The Good News? Heartworms are 100% Preventable.

The hardest part about my story? Knowing that none of this had to happen. Heartworm disease is completely preventable.

All it takes is a once-a-month chewable or a once-a-year injection from your vet. That’s it. One simple step could have saved me months of pain, injections, pills, and boredom. One step could’ve saved Tara a lot of heartache and vet bills, too.

My Message to You

If you’re reading this and you’ve got a dog of your own, please don’t wait. Protect them the way I wish I had been protected.

Talk to your vet about heartworm prevention. Share my story with other pet parents. And remember: just one mosquito bite can change everything.

Don’t let another dog go through what I am.

With love,
Max 

P.S. Want to learn more about heartworm prevention or support dogs like me going through treatment? Visit Pet Resource Center of Kansas City or talk to your vet today.