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Dirofilariasis

10K views 47 replies 13 participants last post by  Connie Sutherland 
#1 ·
Fancy name for heart worm. Thunder had his yearly physical yesterday. Vet called today and said he had it. Hopefully we caught it before it caused any damage.
I went through it with a dog some 25-30 yrs ago. That was successful!
 
Discussion starter · #6 ·
The mosquito is the vector.
Yes, Thunder was on HeartGuard. Because he was, the vet told me that the HeartGuard folks will pay for the treatment. Hopefully, that's the case. How I need to prove that, I'm not sure other then the vet has records of my purchasing a 12month supply, one year ago at Thunder's last annual visit.
I will probably change to a different monthly preventative when all this is past.
He's young and strong. I have good hopes for a complete recovery.
 
Discussion starter · #10 ·
In discussing this with my vet today, he commented that the manufacturere will probably NOT guarantee the product because they can't control the online products as to production date or shelf life.
Moot point anyway. In looking back at my own records, ther was a gap in treating Thinder in the fall/winter. In this part of the country, it's said that winter treatment isn't necessary because of our hard winters. We've had a couple of really mild ones the past few years. :oops: :oops: :oops:
Connie suggested that I ask the vet to match the online prices. The only reason I've bought them online is price.
 
Discussion starter · #15 ·
Thanks for all the support everyone!
Thunder will definately be staying home. Being retired, there ain't no way I could handle boarding him during treatment. Luckily I'm only 5 mins from the vet. He's usually pretty calm when he's in the house for an hour or so in the evening. We'll see when he spends the whole day/night. Nightime around here is when all the action is. Hope the wrong neighbors don't miss his "whupa$$" bark! Shotgun and 00 ready at the back door. :D :D :wink:
I just got back from the vet for his second blood test. They told me it was to eliminate any false positive from the first test. Still, another $130. Better get used to that. :roll:
Because of the weekend, it looks like Monday we'll start treatment.
 
Discussion starter · #18 ·
Tonight was my first night at training without Thunder since he was 12 wks old. It sucked!
Now I just have to control myself and not run the poor Presa pup in the ground. Everyone at training tells me I NEED two dog to keep up with my ADHD. :D :oops: :D :oops:
 
Discussion starter · #20 ·
Treatment starts Monday. Two days. One shot each day. Best part is only 4 weeks recovery time.
Monday, I'll also set up appointments for the two old terriers to be tested. They were on the same schedule! :roll: :oops:
 
Discussion starter · #27 ·
Heartworm was originally almost exclusively a Southern problem. My first contact with it was in the 70s here. Back then we were told it wasn't needed during the winter months. That change (unknown to me :oops: ) in the mid 80s when they started recommending year round treatment in this area.
In talking with my vet, he said most stray dogs will test positive now. Also a big problem with the coyotes around here. (Lots)
The river system, in particular the Mississippi had a lot to do with it's spread north. As the crow flies, I'm about 1 1/2-2 miles from the Mississippi.
We've also had some abnormally mild winters the last few years.
 
Discussion starter · #32 ·
David Frost said:
Bob, sorry to hear about your dog contracting heartworm. Heartguard did pay for one of ours that contracted the worm. All we had to prove was his vet records. He was on preventative 12 months each year. In the south it's important to do that. Hopefully they've discovered it before any damage was done and he'll make full recovery. The dog we had treated, a lab, suffered no ill effects, so hopefull all will work out for you. I would have read this sooner, but I kind of avoid this section because I'm afraid I'll get caught up in a raw feeding cult or something. (no offense anyone).

DFrost
Thanks for the concern David.
Yea! Ya gotta watch out for some strange folks around here. :lol: :lol: :lol: :eek: DUCK!
 
Discussion starter · #35 ·
:eek: :oops: Connie, ya got me good on that one! :D :oops: :D
Until I saw the (kidding) at the bottom, all I could think of was "OH $#!+"! I done it this time! :lol: :roll: :lol: :roll: :oops:
 
Discussion starter · #40 ·
Carol, I gotta say that pumping arsnic into a dog isn't what I'd call natural. That's what the treatment calls for. Going through this, I doubt you could talk me into a wait and see attitude.
I would be curious as to the heartworm problems in your area that your vet opts for this direction.
 
Discussion starter · #43 ·
Carol Silrum said:
Bob,
That does sound like a pretty bad "treatment" -- I'm going to call him tomorrow and discuss.
I'm certainly willing to start giving them Heartgurd ASAP! And don't short haired dogs like my Decker get bit more often??

Thanks again for your knowledge!

~Carol
Not sure if the length of hair has anything to do with it. The skeeters can still bite the dog's nose. They are attracted to our face by the carbon dioxide we breathe. I would guess it's the same with dogs.
 
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