Dirofilariasis
Moderator: Chris_W
- Old earth dog
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Dirofilariasis
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!
I went through this about 30yrs ago with Thunder #1. Ironic huh!
How could that happen? That's terrible! I sure hope it was discovered early. Let us know what happens.
Pat
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Keep your face always toward the sunshine and the shadows will fall behind you.
~ Walt Whitman
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Keep your face always toward the sunshine and the shadows will fall behind you.
~ Walt Whitman
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???
OMG! They can still get heartworm when they've been taking Heartguard???
"A friend is someone who knows the song of your soul and sings it back to you when you have forgotten the words."
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- newtohosta-no more
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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.
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.
Jane (from the middle of the Mitten state)
My hosta list: viewtopic.php?t=39540
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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
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
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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.
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.
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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!
Keep us up on how he's doing OED. Keeping him in good thoughts til then!
Jane (from the middle of the Mitten state)
My hosta list: viewtopic.php?t=39540
My hosta list: viewtopic.php?t=39540
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
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
Spring - An experience in immortality.
- Henry D. Thoreau
- Henry D. Thoreau
I hope they can successfully treat your buddy. I had no idea that they can be infected during the winter months.
Linda P
Linda P
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And frosts are slain and flowers begotten.....
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And frosts are slain and flowers begotten.....
Algernon Charles Swinburne
Latitude: 41° 51' 12.1572"
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- Tundra_Queen
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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!
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!
~*jim*~
You CAN change fate.
Destiny doesnt care about the pattern,
as long as the result is the same.
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You CAN change fate.
Destiny doesnt care about the pattern,
as long as the result is the same.
Jim's Hosta List
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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.
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.
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.
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.
"A friend is someone who knows the song of your soul and sings it back to you when you have forgotten the words."
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