Heartworm sorrow

[jelly8bean]

My Indigo went in yesterday for her first annual shots since I adopted her last March. I just about dropped my jaw when the heart worm test came back positive. :eek: The vet said she believed that since she came from the SPCA the prior home likely did not have her on preventative. She thinks that Indigo was infected when I adopted her and the worms just had not reached the stage to test positive, but that she could have started testing positive within a month of my adoption. I am sick that my lovely girl has this. The vets are sending more blood out to confirm the diagnosis, but I believe that we will have to start treatment next week. As I'm sure you all are aware, the treatment is very difficult on their bodies and while it kills the heart worms they take time to breakdown and pass out of the heart. In doing so they can cause problems in the heart and lungs so, Indigo will have to be restricted movement for 8 weeks. Leash in the back yard etc, you all know how hard this can be on a 2 year old. My only hope is that her heart and liver/lungs are not too damaged by this. Right now she is the picture of health with muscles and gleaming coat, high energy, running everywhere and sweet as she can be.

[Sue J]

Oh jelly8bean, I'm so sorry Indigo and you have to go through this. The two or you will be on my "take care of" list that I submit daily. Please keep us posted, it's our turn to support you as you have been so good giving us support.

[tnsteelerfan]

oh that is just awful!!! you and your baby will be in my prayers!!

[magtie]

sorry to hear that. At least they caught it now though.

Keep us updated

[Rich S]

Sorry to hear your news jelly. I'm sure things will turn out just fine though.

[jelly8bean]

I have heard from two different folks now that this happened with their rescue dogs and that they sailed thru the treatment and lived (and are living) full and happy lives. This gives me heart.. as well as the support I get from this group. Thank you

[fritz'mom]

I'm sorry to hear this Jelly. I just wanted to give you a bit of encouragement. I have a 14 year old Akita that was given to me as an adult dog by my brother in law. She underwent heart worm treatment when she was about five years old and is still living a very healthy life. I know that there is always the possiblility of complications but the majority of dogs do fine with it. As I said, my girl is about 9 years on the other side of it and doing fine.

Hope this helps, just give her a little extra love this week!

[violator]

so sorry to hear this, my old doberman was a rescue dog, he was bein used for fighting and confined to a cage 24/7 when not "in use" he looked fine when i got him, all bouncy and happy but after a month i started noticing a change in him and he started becoming incontenent...so i know how u feel to have a dog u love to death and then see changes my thoughts go out to the both of you, i am sure you will both come though fine...i'm so glad we dont have the heart worm problem in the U.K...how do dogs get it ??

[SnuzerDog]

Jelly, my thoughts will be with you and Indigo. Try to stay positve so that she doesn't pick up on your worry- you know how they will!

Violater, I believe this is passed as a parasite directly to the bloodstream by mosquitoes- but somebody please correct me here if I'm wrong. Then the larvae grow into worms and nest in and around the heart. I know I read warnings occasionally to people with dogs who live in areas with high levels of mosquito infestations...:(

[Sue J]

SnuzerDog: I believe you are correct. All of our dogs are put on heartworm preventive from Feb./March to Nov., then given a time off in winter. Mosquitos were bad here last year.

Violator: Doesn't UK have mosquitos? You might want to do an internet search on heartworm and check with your vet there.

Jelly: Glad you're staying positive!

[jelly8bean]

Thanks to you all for the support. My dogs are on heartworm all year round because this is a very high risk area. I am still waiting to hear back from my vet on the final treatment plan and cost.

[violator]

SnuzerDog: I believe you are correct. All of our dogs are put on heartworm preventive from Feb./March to Nov., then given a time off in winter. Mosquitos were bad here last year.

Violator: Doesn't UK have mosquitos? You might want to do an internet search on heartworm and check with your vet there.

Jelly: Glad you're staying positive!

no sue we do not, we have wasps, bees, and hornets...but no mosquitos...thanks god.


i am sure you and your prized pooch will pull through this, i hope to god all goes well x x

[RKCM]

This is an old thread and I am sure Jellybean's dog came through the treatment, but it isn't cheap. Does anyone know?

It is so important to keep dogs on heartworm preventative and it's cheaper than not. It is amazing to me how many people neglect that. The rescue should of had him checked before adoption. In the south, we see a lot of dogs that are neglected by not providing heartworm meds. It is just a given.

Does other areas see this too?