Would You Adopt a Dog with Heartworm?

It's perfectly acceptable to adopt a dog with heartworms, but you have to be dedicated to having the disease treated appropriately, because it's a horrible disease that can lead to a dog's death if left untreated.

What do I need to know about adopting a heartworm-positive dog?

Therefore, heartworm-positive dogs must have strict exercise restriction (ideally in a crate while not under direct supervision, and only short leash walks 2-3 times daily) for at least 4-6 weeks after treatment, but ideally until they become heartworm negative.

Do heartworms shorten a dog's life?

This treatment does not actually kill the worms, however it does decrease their lifespan; keep in mind, however, that the average heartworm can live six years, so shortening that lifespan could still mean your dog having a heartworm infection for four more years.