Dirofilariasis

Old earth dog · Post by **Old earth dog** » Jun 07, 2006 11:40 pm

Fancy word for heart worm. Thunder got his yearly physical yesterday. The vet called today and Thunder has heartworm. That especially sucks because he get Heartguard all year long. Hopefully, it was found fast. I'll be discussing the direction to go tomorrow with the vet.
I went through this about 30yrs ago with Thunder #1. Ironic huh!

Patrushka · Post by **Patrushka** » Jun 08, 2006 1:04 am

How could that happen? That's terrible! I sure hope it was discovered early. Let us know what happens.

PeggyC · Post by **PeggyC** » Jun 08, 2006 7:14 am

OED, I'm so sorry to hear this! Let us know what you decide... my thoughts are with you and Thunder.

OMG! They can still get heartworm when they've been taking Heartguard???

caliloo · Post by **caliloo** » Jun 08, 2006 7:45 am

Oh no!

I am so sorry to hear this OED! I too want to know how that can happen when Heartguard is being given!

Thoughts and prayers with you -

Alexa

newtohosta-no more · Post by **newtohosta-no more** » Jun 08, 2006 7:57 am

I'm so sorry to hear this! I sure hope Thunder will be okay.
It sure doesn't give us much confidence in the pet meds we buy when something like this happens.

wishiwere · Post by **wishiwere** » Jun 08, 2006 8:05 am

Oh man! I'm so sorry too! How horrible for you both! We know how much you care for him!

Do you mind me asking what his symptoms were. Just assumed protection was 100%

Please know he's in my prayers for a quick response to the meds and full recovery! Dang it's so hard when the kids are ill.

gljo · Post by **gljo** » Jun 08, 2006 8:20 am

Oh my! That is awful news. Keep us up on what your vet has to say and how Thunder will be treated. We'll be thinking of you both.

gljo

Ginger · Post by **Ginger** » Jun 08, 2006 11:50 am

OED, sorry to hear that

Hopefully it is early and/or the Heartguard has kept it to a minimum. He is healthy otherwise? Give him a pat for me please, and don't worry! they can do so much more about heartworms now than they could years ago.

Ginger

Tracy_Zone5 · Post by **Tracy_Zone5** » Jun 08, 2006 1:44 pm

I'm sorry to hear about Thunder.

One of our dogs had heartworms about 7 years ago and she is fine now. The treatment was very painful for her and a little expensive for us, but worth it. They have been on Heartguard ever since and I assumed they were totally protected.

I hope your dog is in the first stage, when it is fairly easy to treat.

Tracy

patsue53 · Post by **patsue53** » Jun 08, 2006 6:41 pm

Oh my gosh! You must be devastated! How can that happen when he's on heartguard? That's very scary!

Old earth dog · Post by **Old earth dog** » Jun 09, 2006 2:47 am

Well, three things important in this situation.
1st: In looking at my own records, I DID miss three months this winter. Old school of thought is they need the Heart guard only during the summer months in areas of cold winters. I WAS WRONG!

2nd: The manufacturers of HeartGuard will cover 100% of the bill if the dog get heartworm IF taking their meds 12 months out of the year UNLESS you've bought them online. They wont guarantee their product's shelf life or production dates if bought on line.
3rd: Ask your vet if he will match the online prices. Most will from what I've been discovering talking on a couple of the training forums I visit.
I may be doing it the hard way, but this old dog ain't to old to learn.

wishiwere · Post by **wishiwere** » Jun 09, 2006 7:02 am

Interesting on the online stuff I guess. For one, don't they have 'expiration' dates right on the package and dose it's self?

Keep us up on how he's doing OED. Keeping him in good thoughts til then!

caliloo · Post by **caliloo** » Jun 09, 2006 8:19 am

Well that is depressing.

I skipped the 3 cold months of heartworm meds this year too - I guess I can only keep my fingers crossed that Diva will test neg next month at her physical.

My vet cautions against using the online sources, he says many of the online companies get their drugs from a plant in Mexico where the guidelines are not as strict. I thought that was a bunch of hooey and an excuse for him to charge more than the online vendors. Maybe there is something to his claim?

I will keep you and Thunder in my thoughts and I hope everything works out well.

Alexa

Linda P · Post by **Linda P** » Jun 09, 2006 10:16 am

I hope they can successfully treat your buddy. I had no idea that they can be infected during the winter months.
Linda P

patsue53 · Post by **patsue53** » Jun 09, 2006 1:26 pm

My vet doesn't prescribe heartworm meds for winter months.

Hugo is just now due for his checkup and I havn't started him on them yet. I think I'll change his checkups to March!

Tundra_Queen · Post by **Tundra_Queen** » Jun 12, 2006 3:01 am

OED, I'm so sorry to hear about Thunder! I hope he will be ok. HUGS

outtahand · Post by **outtahand** » Jun 12, 2006 5:38 am

Really sorry to hear about your boy!
I was reading through the literature that came with my
last package of Heartguard plus, and it mentions a couple
of times about making sure the dog chews the whole
"chewable", not wolf it down. I'm assuming its because
it makes it that much less effective that it wont protect.

The last 4 months, I break it into small pieces, and put it
in their bowl with a small amount of dog food, because my
older one is a gulper when it comes to treats!

Old earth dog · Post by **Old earth dog** » Jun 12, 2006 11:37 pm

Thought it was going to be today but the treatment will start tomorrow at 4:30. Two shots. 24hrs apart. They're talking about hot water bottles and meds for pain and swelling. If this was my terriers I wouldn't give it a lot of thought. Neither of those two know what pain means. Thunder yelps when I pull his hair when I'm combing him.

Keep him quiet for 4 weeks. Fun, fun, fun!
I think I'm gonna be doubling up on my meds before it's all over.

My dogs will be on heartguard ALL YEAR LONG from here out. I screwd up and it wont happen again!
Jim, good idea about breaking them up. All thre of my dogs bolt it down.

PeggyC · Post by **PeggyC** » Jun 13, 2006 8:10 am

OED, you and Thunder will be in my thoughts today. Such an ordeal for both of you! I know its just like having a child that's very sick... pretty hard on the emotions.

I also want to thank you for all the info with regard to the Heartguard. Ours came off for three months this winter also but never again.

LucyGoose · Post by **LucyGoose** » Jun 13, 2006 10:26 pm

OMG Bro!!! I missed this........We too go off during the winter months.....but my sisters vet does not.....well, I think I best keep old Ginger on all year now......oh man, poor baby.....Good luck and I sure hope all goes well.....Love ya!!