Heartworm

[chocolatecoffee]

Last night a rescue asked us to foster a dog that's mildly heartworm positive. She just flew up here from the States and she's an absolute doll. However, she was kept outside tied to a tire for years and, as a result, is extremely fearful and incredibly matted. We just fell in love with her, but I don't know a lot about heartworm. There isn't much heartworm here in Alberta and some people don't even put their dog on preventative, but since we go to the cabin in B.C. mine get preventative. However, other than getting them tested and giving them their medicine, I really don't know much about it. Mocha's been getting preventative every summer, Panna has been since we had her, and since we don't know if Cannelle was last summer, she's getting tested this week then going on preventative.

Is heartworm only transferable through mosquitoes? Would my dogs be at any risk if I brought a heartworm positive dog into my house? Would the dog be able to come to the cabin if there's a risk that she'd be exposed to heartworm? We were told that once she started treatment, she'd just need a lot of crate rest to expell the worms from her body successfully; what else is involved in the treatment?

By the way, here's the little sweetie : http://search.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=6342606.

 

[Buddy'sParents]

http://www.thepetcenter.com/gen/hw.html
http://www.heartwormsociety.org/GeneralInfo.htm

You may find these to be helpful, I don't know much other than general stuff.

 

[Buddy'sParents]

And by the way, what a cutie... it's so sad-her story.

 

[Brattina88]

Aw! So, are you going to foster her? Kudos to you if you do!

I'm glad it's mild!

I'm almost positive they're only spread by mosquitos, and as long as your dogs are covered they're really aren't at risk of getting it.
Usually the treatment will be two injections over 24 hours while the dog stays in the clinic over night. A second, milder injection may be done in 4 weeks...
It can hurt some dogs, cause pain to spread throughout the lower back muscles, and make the dog feel nauseated. Both symptoms will usually ease in a couple of days.
Though some dogs do not experience the muscle soreness, it is particularly important not to pick up the dog or put any pressure on the back for 2-4 days after the injections. Even a gentle dog might cry out and snap in pain if that area is touched. You will know the dog is feeling better when the eyes brighten, tail wags, and the dog resumes interest in the caretaker and home activities, usually in just a few days. Let the dog sleep in a crate or on a preferred doggy bed or blanket, wherever she is most comfortable, while you watch her and keep her quiet; some dogs think they’re feeling well and may even want to play, but it is imperative that no heartworm patient exercise during the recovery period.

She'll need rest, good water, nutritious food, and tlc which you'll no doubtedly supply

 

[bubbatd]

I echo Bratt.... I fostered 2 Goldens through heartworm. An expensive process and the dog has to remain quiet as the worms die and sections pass through their system ... the lungs can be a problem . They are very ugly long worms .

 

[Ash47]

Agree with Brat and Grammy. Also, they are not transferable through other dogs. Only mosquitoes.

 

[bubbatd]

Another reason for testing. When EliN adopted Yogi, he was tested negetive..yet the next spring he was positive. Seems he had just contracted them and they didn't show up in the 1st test. Because he had been put on the meds for prevention... the company paid for his treatment.

 

[chocolatecoffee]

Aw! So, are you going to foster her? Kudos to you if you do!

Ah, we caved . The rescue's making a vet appointment tomorrow morning to see what they'll choose as treatment and right after her appointment, we're picking her up...

some dogs think they’re feeling well and may even want to play, but it is imperative that no heartworm patient exercise during the recovery period.

So she's not allowed any exercise at all? I read that short leashed walks are okay, but the rescue said that she has to stay in her crate at all times except to go outside and pee. Other than that, she really can't move around at all and we can cuddle with her, but no walking around. Cannelle's going to go crazy when there's a new dog around and she can't play with it!

How long does the entire treatment usually take? Is it just the first two injections, then the following injection about four weeks later so it'll be around 5 weeks? What will she be like after the initial recovery period from the vaccinations and until the milder injection?

She'll need rest, good water, nutritious food, and tlc which you'll no doubtedly supply

Should I feed her on scheduled feedings or is free feeding best during this time to keep her body strong and her blood sugar up? She needs to be housetrained, but I don't think that'll be much of an issue at first since she's just going to stay in her crate the entire time. I'll be able to keep an eye on the amount she eats since the food will be in her crate and my others won't be able to get to it. I think I'm going to keep her on canned food since her teeth are in really bad shape.

Thanks for all of the advice !

 

[LabBreeder]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heartworm
http://www.canismajor.com/dog/hartworm.html
http://www.thepetcenter.com/gen/hw.html
http://www.vetinfo.com/doghw.html#Heartworm transmission

pretty much all the information I could find for you about transmission, treatment and heart worm disease in general.

 

[bubbatd]

It really depends on how hyper she is.... I really don't know with small dogs, as my only input has been with Goldens and a Lab. The Goldens I supervised in the back yard and one I took for slow walks... the other would be too excited on walks , so I quit. In total , it took about 6 weeks... but these were sever worms. You really have to go by the vet's recommendation. If there is any lung invasion... it's a longer process. Bless you for doing this !! I never had to cage either, as Chip seemed to understand " no play " ...It really depends on the breed, the severity and the treatment. Some treatments are very aggressive .... this is the vets decision.

 

[thewhitewitchone]

I have no input on the heartworm but I just wanted to express my disgust at someone keeping that little sweetheart tied to a tire! Unbelieveable.
Good for you for rescuing her and giving her the life she deserves.

Pam

 

[bubbatd]

Whitewitch...when you are in rescue , the tales are unbelieveable...!!! One of mine had been tied out with a puppy choke collar that as she grew imbedded into her neck. Another was tied to a lamp post when a student graduated for 4 days.

 

[dr2little]

Nothing to add to the already great advise. Just had to say OMG....she is so adorable. Fostering eh....we'll see, with a face like that are you going to be able to let her go? I wish you luck,I know you 're the ultimate dog lover and that is on heck of a cute critter!
I'm glad she'll have you and your family, no better place to recover and rediscover what LOVE really is!

 

[chocolatecoffee]

Thanks so much for taking the time to find so many websites for me and answer my questions!

I have no input on the heartworm but I just wanted to express my disgust at someone keeping that little sweetheart tied to a tire! Unbelieveable.
Good for you for rescuing her and giving her the life she deserves.

Pam

Thank you for the nice comment, but it's really all of the people who help the wonderful rescue she's in right now that have made it possible for her to have such a good life. She already has three adoption applications on her; I have a feeling she's going to be living the high life once she's healthy.

One of mine had been tied out with a puppy choke collar that as she grew imbedded into her neck. Another was tied to a lamp post when a student graduated for 4 days.

It's unbelievable what people will do . Bless you for taking them in.

Fostering eh....we'll see, with a face like that are you going to be able to let her go?

Hahaha, you hit the nail on the head with that one. Giving them back is always ridiculously difficult, but I have a feeling that this one will be the hardest yet .

She seems to be feeling better today and will start her treatment soon. She's still with the rescue coordinator and she said she's looking brighter today. I can't wait!

 

[chocolatecoffee]

Well, I'm picking her up tonight! I had hoped to start fostering her on Wednesday, but she had to stay at the vet's for two nights. She got a blood panel, urinalysis (her urine is very yellow so they suspect a bladder infection), and x-rays. Her blood panel results came back good, we're still waiting for her urinalysis results, and her x-rays showed that her leg had been broken and the pins they put in are too big. As a result, they've actually been poking out and they'll have to go in there and fix it, but they have to be sure that she'll be okay if she's anesthetized.

I'm also taking her for an ultrasound on Monday. Her heart is slightly enlarged and it seems to have a funny beat to it, so they think it might be a heart murmur. Depending on the results, they said that the vet might have to go in and operate on her heart.

Also, since she's so small, they think that instead of giving her two injections in 24 hours they're going to give her milder injections every week to kill the worms slowly. They'll decide on a final plan of treatment after her ultrasound results though. The poor baby...

I can't wait though! I'll be sure to post pictures as soon as she gets here .

 

[chocolatecoffee]

Unfortunately, extensive tests in the last day have indicated the heartworm isn't mild at all. It has travelled to most of her organs, including her liver, bladder, and lungs, and even if they were able to get rid of the worms, her organs have suffered far too much damage that she had no chance of survival. With opinions from two vets, my little Pumkin will be put to sleep tomorrow at 2:00 pm.

She must be in so much pain, yet she always wanted to play and was always twirling around whenever someone came home. She had come so far in the last week and we could see such a change in her. Please keep her in your thoughts.

RIP, my beautiful girl. Run and play without any health problems and a perfect little leg. I pray that whoever mistreated you will eventually get what they deserve.

You deserved so much more.

 

[bubbatd]

My heart is breaking for you and her.............**** the owners who don't do heart worm preventives !!! Owning dogs does take on more responsibility than food and water. More dogs are being put down everyday because of this. And it's preventable !

 

[gaddylovesdogs]

Oh my gosh That poor baby!! She looks so sweet...and now she has to die. Poor baby. I hate heartworms.

 

[moxiegrl]

thats sad poor baby