Bronko

Status: Not Adoptable
Date of Birth: September 3, 2022

Bronko joined Mackenzie’s on September 17, 2025, after being transferred from another rescue. We’re quickly learning that he’s an affectionate, goofy boy who’s handling his heartworm treatments and activity restrictions like a true champ!

Once he’s medically cleared, Bronko will be ready to find his forever home—and we just know he’ll make the perfect addition to one very lucky family.

About Heartworm

Heartworm disease is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition transmitted by mosquitoes. When an infected mosquito bites a dog, it can pass on heartworm larvae that grow into adult worms, damaging the heart, lungs, and other internal organs.

The good news? Heartworm disease is easily and affordably prevented with monthly oral or topical medications. Unfortunately, once a dog becomes infected, treatment is much more difficult, costly, and can lead to complications such as blood clots in the lungs. That’s why strict activity and exercise restrictions are so important throughout the treatment process.

At Mackenzie’s Animal Sanctuary, we follow the American Heartworm Society’s recommended guidelines to ensure every heartworm-positive dog receives the safest and most effective care possible.

Before treatment begins, the diagnosis is confirmed through multiple blood tests, and the severity of the infection is evaluated with chest X-rays, urinalysis, and additional organ function tests.

Once confirmed, our dogs begin a carefully structured treatment plan that includes:

• Activity restrictions to reduce strain on the heart and lungs
• Anti-inflammatory medications to minimize inflammation
• Heartworm preventives to stop new infections
• Medications to eliminate microfilariae (baby heartworms)

After giving the dog’s body time to recover from this initial phase, we administer a series of injections that target and kill adult heartworms. Because these injections can be uncomfortable, our veterinary team sedates the dogs and provides pain relief to keep them comfortable. Activity restriction continues for another two months following these injections, as this stage carries the highest risk of complications.

From start to finish, the full treatment process typically takes about three months when following the American Heartworm Society protocol. Even after treatment, dogs may continue to test positive for several months—it can take up to nine months from diagnosis for veterinarians to confirm that the infection has been fully cleared.

The good news is that the American Heartworm Society’s protocol is over 90% effective at curing dogs of heartworm disease, giving them a bright, healthy future ahead.

Please sponsor Bronko today!