Heartworm positive

RexLover · 01-27-2009, 08:57 PM

Rex is new to us. We adopted him just this past thursday. He had a checkup with the vet and I asked him to test for heartworm (I was told he was tested for everything but heartworm.. weird, I'm wondering if she new he had them and didn't treat because it's expensive to treat.)

Anyway.. yep the test was positive. Poor guy. I'm a brand new dog owner and wondering what this treatment involves, the vet explained but not too in depth. I'm also wondering what special care needs he'll need when he comes home or any other info I should know.

Thanks

KelliCZ · 01-27-2009, 09:12 PM

Depending on the age of the dog and the severity of the heartworms - most dogs tolerate treatment well - the hardest part is the need to keep the dog quiet after treatment.

Was this a rescue organization or a private individual you got the dog from?
When my Jazz tested positive the shelter offered to cover the cost if I used their vet

RexLover · 01-27-2009, 09:29 PM

I'm looking at the form I had to sign. They are dog control officers of a small town north of us. The release sheet says it's the Department of Agriculture and Markets, Division of Animal Industry (licensing unit). We had to pay a small adoption fee. I had to fill out a licensing form also (NYS requires all dogs be licensed). I'll be getting a certificate for a $30 neutering too. Maybe I should call the head office? Sigh... I got a $550 quote from my vet.

5 s corral · 01-27-2009, 10:51 PM

hi
so sorry to here this but that is a great price i had a gsd and the vet wanted 1500.00 to start
i did get it cheeper the hardest thing is not letting
run around i would call where you got him from and ask if they could help with the money
how old is your dog
jamie

spotted nikes · 01-27-2009, 11:08 PM

It's VERY important to keep them quiet. You don't want them to exert themselves because you don't want the heart to pump hard, causing a clot to loosen and cause problems.

Depending on severity they do either a slow kill or fast kill method. If you click on the "seach" button on this forum, and put in "heartworms" you'll find quite a few threads on it.

Here's some more info-
http://www.placervillevet.com/canine%20heartworm.htm

RexLover · 01-28-2009, 12:36 PM

Thank you for your responses!

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5 s corral

how old is your dog
jamie

The vets guess he's around 3 or 4 years old.

Quote:

Originally Posted by spotted nikes

Here's some more info-
http://www.placervillevet.com/canine%20heartworm.htm

Great Link! Thank you!