Breeding dogs with heartworms. - Page 1

 What is your opinion on breeding a male that is being treated for heartworms. ?

i would not breed a dog with heart worms , not a good idea.

In your opinion, What makes it not a good idea.?  What if it was a young male being treated for them.  He hasn't been sick and shows no signs of being ill.  It was caught at the early stages.  I am just trying to get an understanding of things.   Im not being a smarta--, just trying to see things from different points of view.   

Treatment for heart worms takes a toll on the dog.  They may appear to be just fine, but it is better for the dog to rest during treatment.  IMHO

OK, i understand now. The treatment that is being used on a dog I know is the ivomec oral. Not the once a month preventative, but the treatment dosage.  This dog never showed any signs of slowing down or stress.   He is living a very normal and active life.  He was bred twice that I know of during treatment and it has not seemed to affect him at all in any way. This dog is relatively a young dog, just turned 4yrs old.   I just wanted to see different ways that breeders would view this.   Thanks for the opinions.  

Why would you breed a dog with a compromised immune system??

I can understand why the immune system might be compromised due to the heartworms. However that would not make that weak immune system heredity.  Maybe I am not understanding the comment, if that is the case, I am sorry.   

Edited to add:  I want to make it clear this dog is not mine.  He is for a friend.   However, We did breed to him in the past. He was almost done with treatment.  I was criticized for doing it by a particular breeder.  However this same breeder is doing the exact same thing.  The difference being the dog she is breeding has just been diagnosed with it and he is 6yrs old.  She also told me the dog was going down by the day and in a matter of over night the dog started coughing and it was getting progressively worse.  Now IF all this is true, that is a dog I would never consider breeding.  

Is this your dog? Why would you let your dog get heartworms if it is indeed a dog that has proven himself enough to be breeding material? What is it about the dog that makes him breed worthy? I personally wouldn't, especially while he's getting treated. I don't think it'd really do anything to the breeding, but as the dog is being treated for heartworms, he should be put in rest, like serious rest no strenuous physical activity, because the microvilli in the heart are dying. If a clump gets together and he gets his blood pressure going, it could cause a clot or a stroke. Just not the best time to breed. I'd wait until at least 6 weeks after the treatment before breeding him. And that's only if the dog has proven himself to be breed worthy, not just a pretty dog or a nice dog, or nice pedigree. What does the dog have to offer? There's WAY too many GSDs (as well as other purebreds) that end up in the shelter and put down. JMO, but unless the dog has something serious to bring to the table, I wouldn't breed him, heartworms or no heartworms.

Macrowe1, in the comment right above yours, I stated the dog is not mine.   I understand your opinion about using breed worthy dogs.  However, as time goes on, the definition of Breed worthy developes many many different opinions for just as many people.  I am not going to argue that point.  However, My OP was about breeding dogs with heartworms, not about breed worthy dogs.   That has been discussed in many other threads and every one turned into a battle ground.  That WAS NOT the original intent of my OP.  

I saw that after I posted, but still gave you my opinion on breeding dogs with heartworms. Not worth the risk in my opinion to the male. Wouldn't affect the breeding, but can throw clots in the male. It'd just be risky if you ask me. And you said he's being treated orally with ivermectin? Do you know what kind of dose he's given? I know the clinics that I've worked at do a series of ivermectin injections in the dog. I'd just be worried because ivermectin in larger doses for dogs, like the amount given to treat heartworms, can have side effects in and of itself. I'd wait until the dog fully recovers from heartworms and no more microvilli are detected in the bloodstream. Also, if the dog has had heartworms for an extended period, it could enlarge and damage his heart. Before breeding I'd suggest having a vet check him out and make sure he's healthy enough. I understand you don't want to get into the discussion of breed worthy dogs, and that's just my opinion, but they should at least be healthy enough to be bred.