Heartworm Treatment
The neighbors called Animal Control and when they arrived to capture her, she ran into the woods. A man who was doing repairs on the house for the mortgage company managed to coax her out and she became very attached to him. He brought her home and took her to his vet, had her vaccinated for rabies, treated her badly infected ears and then found she was heartworm positive.  Since he wasn't in a position to take on another dog, he brought her to us. She's now at the vet's going through her second day of heartworm treatment.
"Andie" is pretty calm for a young adult dog but I'm still dreading having her crated all day. This girl is SO attached to people she just can't seem to get close enough. She's good in the crate at night but I'm concerned that six weeks of total crate rest and leash walking will drive us both crazy. Has anyone been through the treatment with their own dogs? I'm already trying to think of creative ways to keep Andie busy with bones from the butcher and possibly putting up a few crates throughout the house so she can move to where we are. Leash walking is no big deal, our yard isn't conventionally-fenced so I'm used to walking our fosters. She's not crazy about doing her business while on a leash, though. It was suggested we sedate her a bit with Ace but I don't want to do that unless all else fails. Any suggestions from folks who have been through this would be appreciated. Here's a photo of Andie taken before her shavedown. When she's recovered, she'll make someone a great pet: 
Please think good thoughts for Andie as she goes through her treatment. When I called the vet this morning she was doing well so she should come home tomorrow afternoon. 
Nita Midwest OES Rescue |
|
|
| Poor girl! No experience myself, but a co-worker had to do the treatment on her rescue. She said it wasn't fun...
Positive vibes your way! |
| I have. Actually twice. Once years ago with an older dog (belonged to an ex boyfriend) and a few years ago with Buddy, the dog that we rescued and placed with James's mom. Keeping them calm afterward is the hardest part by far because they feel better and want to go back to life as usual. Both of our experiences went well, though and the dogs came through great. |
| Years ago, we took in Reuben. He had started out as my b-i-l's dog, but a move across country had him finding a second home for Reuben. The second home decided that they couldn't keep him, so we grabbed. Two days later, we found out he was positive for heart worm.
Reuben was probably the only dog in history to gain weight while being treated for heart worm. And he had weight issues for the rest of his life. We did the crate in the rooms we were in most often, leashed to go to the bathroom (I hate rain) and hooked his leash to my jeans the rest of the time. The up side is he was very well socialized. Reuben loved tennis balls and frisbees, so we provided him with ots of those. He loved car rides, so we took him on those too. Good luck. And I hope Karma catches up to her first owners. |
Mom of 3 wrote: Good luck. And I hope Karma catches up to her first owners.
Thanks everyone. I'm sure we'll get through it.
As far as Karma catching up to the previous owners, I always try to look at it from their point of view and usually give them the benefit of the doubt. In addition to heartworms, the infection in Andie's ears was horrible and it's obviously been a chronic problem. Her ears have "cauliflowered" with scar tissue so badly that her ear flaps won't lay down flat against her head. Unfortunately, in this case I hope Karma catches up to them as well. No excuse for having such a high-maintenance dog and not even bothering with the most basic of care. Leaving a dog behind IMO is totally inexcusable.  |
| A friend of mine just rescued a dog that was undergoing heart worm treatments. They would comment on how tired she was all of the time from the meds. Lots of TLC and she's doing great now. |
| I do not have any experience with heartworm treatment - but I am so glad Andie has found you to help her. Thank you. |
We've had several that have come to us HW+, but so far, I have not been the foster mom of any of them. I am sure Belinda could offer you some tips. She's fostered several of those we have treated.
 for you & Andie.  |
| I picked up Andie from the vet this morning and wow, was she ready to go! She came home and readily walked into her crate and only barked for a few minutes before settling down for a nap. Tonight she's leashed and laying at my feet and enjoying being a part of the family again. She's really a calm girl so hopefully she'll be easier to contain than a lot of dogs we've fostered.
Thanks again for all your well-wishes and continue thinking positive thoughts for Andie. Nita Midwest OES Rescue |
| Glad Andie is home and calm. Years ago before preventative we had a sheepdog that underwent the Heartworm treatment. Crates were not the norm then either.
Keeping him calm was a challenge but we found that as long as we were in the room with him it was not a problem. When we left for work we closed the bedroom door and the blinds so he could not get excited about anything outside. He did very well and came through it all. Hope Andie does well. |
Didn't find exactly what you're looking for? Search again here:
Custom Search
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|