It is administered by deep IM injection into the lumbar muscles. An important new feature of this drug is the potential ability to minimize post-adulticide complications in dogs with more severe heartworm disease. Leakage of the drug around the vein can result in intense perivascular inflammation. The incidence of side effects due to the systemic toxicity of this drug can interfere with its use in many patients. Thiacetarsamide's efficacy is dependent upon a full dosage schedule being administered.
Male worms are more susceptible to treatment than female worms.
The primary post-adulticide complication is the development of severe pulmonary thromboembolism. Pulmonary thromboembolism results from the obstruction of blood flow through pulmonary arteries due to the presence of dead heartworms. If heartworm adulticide treatment is effective, some degree of pulmonary thromboembolism will occur. When dead worms are numerous, widespread obstruction of arteries can occur. These patients require strict reduction in exercise and anti-inflammatory doses of corticosteroids.