Heartworm Positive

[ouchthathrts]

Hello-
I recently adopted a boxer, (Chatham) who came to us from a rescue organization. She was heartworm positive and going through treatment at the time of adoption. Since we had never owned a dog, we didn't understand the seriousness of problems that might arise. Let me tell you that I do know now! I think I've been to the vet at least once a week (if not more) for the past month. My vet tells me that all her problems are attributable to the heartworm medication that was initially given. He (the vet) tells me that her immune system is shot right now due to the initial shot she received when it was found out that she was heartworm positive. We've experienced urinary tract infection, coughing, lack of appetite, staph infections. Our pup has been on more medications and ointments in the last month then I care to talk about. My question is....Chatham scratches her face all the time now, to the point of cuts under her eyes. Does anyone know what this might be caused from? Is there some kind of cream I can put on her face so that it's not itchy. I'm afraid to put any type of medication on these cuts since they are so close to the eyes. I'm also afraid that these cuts will turn into a staph infection just like the bug bites she got last week. Please help if you can!

 

[Nifftea]

Welcome to Boxerworld. With all the problems your dog has already had, I would be leery of treating her without a vet's approval. As many times as you have seen him I would think he would reccommend something over the phone saving you the expense of another trip to the vet. Hoping things get better!

 

[Aimee]

I too would give your vet a call. Hopefully he can recommend something you may already have at home for her. Hugs to Chatham and hugs to you. I knew the treatment was rough but I didn't know the after effects were so awful :( Keep up the good work, you sound like wonderful boxer parents!!!

 

[ouchthathrts]

Thanks

Thanks so much for your responses. With all the times I've been to the vet, don't know why I didn't think of giving him a call. That's exactly what I'll do tomorrow morning. Thanks! Diane

 

[Sabrina Jay]

Did I understand your post right, that you already have already adopted this dog and he/she was just treated for heartworms?

We keep them 6-8 weeks AFTER their treatment, as you MUST keep them confined/quiet during the first 4-6 weeks, while the worms *break-up*. There should be NO RUNNING, JUMPING, etc. The dog needs to be taken out on a leash for potty breaks, unless the dog can be trusted not to run. The dog must be crated to limit activities.

The most dangerous time (that we have found) is 1-3 weeks after treatment.

The coughing is VERY common after treatment...and this is CRUTIAL that the dog is kept quiet!!! Again, the worms are *dis-lodging*and *sluffing off*. This will sound gross, but basically chunks are breaking off, and can pass into the lungs. This is why it is so very important for almost complete confinement.

 

[ouchthathrts]

Here's the Scoop.....

You did understand what I posted and I wish I had owned a crystal ball before the adoption. This is what happened.....the foster mom called us up and said that she had a dog that would be a good match for our family. She informed us that we could not have Chatham for 2-3 weeks because of this confinement period (Chatham was about 2-1/2 weeks into the treatment) but she would bring Chatham over for a visit. We said that sounded great. The foster mom came for the visit with Chatham and at this time, she (the foster mom) said she checked with the powers-that-be and we could have Chatham that day as long as we kept her crated, quiet and calm. We agreed to this and the foster mom gave us her crate to borrow which was in the back of her car. Because of all of the problems Chatham has had and because I have talked to vets and other rescue type people, I have found out that the practice of giving a rescue dog to a family prior to the finish of heartworm treatment is very unique, (I am putting it mildly). We did EVERYTHING that we were supposed to do. She was kept quiet, she went out on a leash for bathroom breaks, (that was the only time she was out) and she was given lots and lots of TLC. I work at home so I've had the luxury of giving Chatham 100% attention. I chose to use my own vet since the rescue org. vet was over an hour away, incidentally, I was told this would not be a problem. It became a problem when I was told that none of Chatham's vet bills would be covered but after a few phone calls I got that straightened out. My attitude was that if Chatham had stayed in foster care until her heartworm treatment was over, the rescue organization would have been responsible. If I can be so bold to voice my opinion on the adoption process....please don't adopt out a dog that is in the middle of heartworm treatment. Eventhough most times the dog will be fine there is still the slim chance that someone will go through what I have been through. We are new dog owners and this has been a horrible experience! We love Chatham very much and the only option we had was to see her through this whole mess. Thank God she is finally pulling through this. I only hope that I am not the only one that has learned a lesson from this. Thanks again for all your help and responses. Diane

 

[iluvboxers]

I wish everyone who thinks heartworm protection is not needed would read this post. I have a freind who fosters and it is an ordeal getting them healthy enough to be adopted. As long as they are in foster care the rescue group pays the bills. We have a vet here that charges much less for the rescue dogs. Hope that everything works out ok and Chatham will be normal and healthy, the treatment is very hard on them. What part of Florida are you from, I am on the space Coast and know the rescue here is full, yours may have been also and they just needed to find homes ssoner than they really should have. This one lady told me how many dogs she had and I could not believe it. I don't know how she did it...

 

[PGIBSON]

adopting heartworm positive

I found this site 2 days after adopting a 5yr old from the rescue group... I may have waited to bring her home if I had found this first. Knew she was heartworm positive but were anxious to get her out of clinic. We too find ourselves a bit worried if we can provide all the needs-she seems so fragile in this condition... pants easily(who doesn't in Houston) and is skin and bones. She has itched her face a few times but does not seem to have irritation. Dakota is 2 weeks into treatment... the hardest part will be keeping her from doing the "I'm so happy you adopted me dance" until she's better!!! Good luck to you and your new baby... Beth

 

[Moonshadow]

Keep the faith!

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

Our beautiful white rescue girl, 3 year old Meta, was heartworm positive when we got her. We knew she was and the shelter wanted her to live so badly that they had kept her much longer than they normally do. They also found funds to pay for the treatment She was so sweet. They had helped her to gain some weight, but she was still skin and bones when we got her.

We brought her home for two hours to get acquainted, then it was off the the vet to be spayed. Two weeks after that, she and our four year old Nala whom we had bought back from someone last year (after the fiances ex-wife had sold her) both went in for heartworm treatment.

They had their initial "large dose" treatment and we kept them both in the house, calm and cool. We had to put them on steroids for their cough and they both had antibiotics for infection. It was rough and hard to watch them looking so weak. But, eventually they were both stronger and we could start fattening Meta up. They started feeling frisky and we took them in for their low dosage shot and found out they would be able to take walks and behave a little more (boxer) normal. When we went for their "final" check up, we found that there were still signs of microfalaria so they got another low dosage shot. When we went at the end of that period they not only showed signs of the larva, but the vet even thinks that there are still worms also. This time they got a medium dosage shot.

However, after all of that, they seem to feel very good. They are gaining weight and very happy and frisky!

I think the only reason they let us get Meta when she needed the treatment was that we were treating our other dog. You have to be willing to go the extra mile and in our case it has been several miles.

My girls are both worth it. Meta has been and will be a great addition to my life. If I was to rescue again, I think I would look for one with this condition that needed my patience.

ANOTHER PLUG FOR HEARTWORM PREVENTATIVE!!!

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