In an effort to prevent any of the well-known side effects that are associated with the administration of tetracyclines, a client chooses to not administer the prescribed doxycycline as part of his dog's heartworm disease treatment regimen without consulting with the veterinary staff. Instead, the pet is brought in for a three-dose series of melarsomine injections. Several months after the third dose, the client notices his dog continues to tire easily with moderate exertion so he brings his dog back in for a recheck. Surprising to the client, the dog again is diagnosed with full blown heartworm disease. Why wasn't this dog cured?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Skipping the doxycycline in the treatment regimen for heartworm disease can lead to a diminished overall effect of the treatment. Doxycycline is used to target Wolbachia, a symbiotic bacteria within the heartworms, which is believed to reduce the heartworm's ability to thrive and reproduce, thus enhancing the effectiveness of the melarsomine treatment. Without this step, the treatment may not be as effective, potentially leading to a situation where the disease persists or recurs.

In an Effort to Prevent Any of the Well-Known Side