ATLANTA,None — Metro Atlanta veterinarians are warning pet owners to make sure they give their animals heartworm prevention medication because of a worldwide shortage of the drug needed to treat the parasite.
Woodstock veterinarian Dr. Wilmer Bustelo told Channel 2's Richard Elliot that he received a letter from the makers of Immiticide stating that because of "technical issues," they would not be able to deliver supplies of the drug. The result is a worldwide shortage. Immiticide is the only treatment approved by the Federal Drug Administration to treat heartworms in animals.
Bustelo said he just got a new heartworm patient at his Woodstock Veterinary Hospital and called Monday to see about the availability of the drug.
"They said they cannot send me anything, so as of today on Aug. 22, there's not availability," said Bustelo.
Other vets and animal hospitals around metro Atlanta confirmed they got the same letter.
Because of the shortage, one animal shelter in North Carolina said it would have to euthanize animals infected with the parasite because it doesn't have enough of the drug to go around.
Heartworms are caused when mosquitoes bite infected animals then bite another animal and transfer heartworm larvae into the host's bloodstream. The parasites grow and move to the heart, causing blockages and death, if untreated. The infection affects dogs more often and more severely than cats.
Heartworm infections are far more prevalent in Georgia and the Southeast than in the rest of the country.
Bustelo said that now, more than ever, pet owners need to put their animals on heartworm prevention medication to stop the infestation before it starts.
"Every dog in the United States should be on heartworm prevention all year round regardless of any shortage," said Bustelo. "The disease is real. It can kill your dog."
WSBTV
