Unfortunately it's against forum rules to offer medical advice for a dog that hasn't been to a vet. Heartworm treatment really needs vet intervention, because the treatment can kill the dog if it's done incorrectly. I would honestly look into whether you could report this dog as a neglect case to your local animal control, with the information that he's heartworm positive and has a paw injury, but is receiving no treatment for either. If you don't want to go that route, I'd start contacting vets and shelters/rescues in the area to see if any of them know of charities or reduced cost vet services that might be a more viable option.
Helping neighbor's dog heartworm positive
His owner is terrible and if I could, I would ban such people from keeping dogs, or any pets. For years I have been fighting with this person to make him take at least some care of his dog. He stays outside ALWAYS, in any weather. Not much I can do about it. At least not tied up. I have a similar size dog, and they often play together. His dog is younger, at least 3 years younger than my dog, he used to be playful and would make my dog tired. Now he does not play anymore. His fur looks bad, with bald spots or thin in some places. Lately, he started limping, I checked his legs and found one paw looks like this
I have no clue what it is. Found no injuries, just swelling and an overgrown claw. The owner claims it is arthritis and gives him over-counter glucosamine (he figured it all by himself). Definitely not what it is. A vet visit is out of the question. Since I have no other choice, I gave him azithromycin for a week to see if it will help. Looks like it helped some. His paw is still not normal, but not as swollen, and looks like he not limping much anymore. I trimmed that claw - owner never bothered.
I talked about his skin condition with the owner. Asked what he feed him with. It was some food with corn number #1 ingredient. I told him to get food with the meat #1 ingredient. Asked about flea treatment. He said he stopped giving flea and heartworm prevention to him about a year ago because he got retired and "can't afford it anymore". OK, I told him I can find and help him to order discounted flea drops, like generic Frontline, etc. For heartworms, I can share my bottle of Ivomec, but since the dog was off preventive for such a long time, he should be tested first. I got a test online, tested him last night, and turned out to be positive. Now I don't know what to do. I really doubt this person will take him to the vet and pay a few hundred for treatment. I could do what I can at home, but not sure what I can do since the dog not even stays with me. I can give him meds once in a day. I heard people did "slow" treatment with preventive only. Is it possible? He is a nice dog. I remember he told me a long time ago that he had a couple of dogs before, and they all died from heartworms! Makes me really mad.
PS. dog is German shepherd mix, looks mostly like GS, about 80 LB
I have no clue what it is. Found no injuries, just swelling and an overgrown claw. The owner claims it is arthritis and gives him over-counter glucosamine (he figured it all by himself). Definitely not what it is. A vet visit is out of the question. Since I have no other choice, I gave him azithromycin for a week to see if it will help. Looks like it helped some. His paw is still not normal, but not as swollen, and looks like he not limping much anymore. I trimmed that claw - owner never bothered.
I talked about his skin condition with the owner. Asked what he feed him with. It was some food with corn number #1 ingredient. I told him to get food with the meat #1 ingredient. Asked about flea treatment. He said he stopped giving flea and heartworm prevention to him about a year ago because he got retired and "can't afford it anymore". OK, I told him I can find and help him to order discounted flea drops, like generic Frontline, etc. For heartworms, I can share my bottle of Ivomec, but since the dog was off preventive for such a long time, he should be tested first. I got a test online, tested him last night, and turned out to be positive. Now I don't know what to do. I really doubt this person will take him to the vet and pay a few hundred for treatment. I could do what I can at home, but not sure what I can do since the dog not even stays with me. I can give him meds once in a day. I heard people did "slow" treatment with preventive only. Is it possible? He is a nice dog. I remember he told me a long time ago that he had a couple of dogs before, and they all died from heartworms! Makes me really mad.
PS. dog is German shepherd mix, looks mostly like GS, about 80 LB
1 - 10 of 10 Posts
I don't see how it will help. They will just euthanize the dog, they don't keep or treat sick dogs in local shelter.I would honestly look into whether you could report this dog as a neglect case to your local animal control, with the information that he's heartworm positive and has a paw injury, but is receiving no treatment for either.
Then searching for affordable care options might be your best choice. Though if you really can't get this dog veterinary care, euthanasia may be the more humane option than a slow death by heartworm, and it may lead to consequences for the owner that discourages or prevents them from getting any more dogs.
Don't get me wrong. This sucks. I'm sorry you're dealing with it, and you really don't have any good options.
Don't get me wrong. This sucks. I'm sorry you're dealing with it, and you really don't have any good options.
I am not really in a situation to take care of my neighbor's dogs, I have a dog and cats myself (all rescue), a special needs child that needs a lot of care, plus a family in Ukraine. I can give him meds at home once in a day, but I don't have time or extra money to ride with him around vet clinics.Then searching for affordable care options might be your best choice.
I more meant to see if you could convince the neighbor to take him if you could find a free or low-cost clinic or charity program.
But as I said, there's no real good solution here. And what the owner is doing IS neglect, legally, in the USA. Hopefully other members have a better idea of organizations or programs that might be able to step in without euthanizing the dog, but unfortunately those kinds of options aren't available everywhere.
But as I said, there's no real good solution here. And what the owner is doing IS neglect, legally, in the USA. Hopefully other members have a better idea of organizations or programs that might be able to step in without euthanizing the dog, but unfortunately those kinds of options aren't available everywhere.
OK, never mind, I know all about neglect, animal control, and such, but I don't have a lot of time that I can spend on discussions unrelated to treatment. I'll check other options. Thank you for your replies 
Yes, unfortunately treatment advice is not something we can provide, per forum rules, due to the risk of causing harm to members' animals and potential legal liability of the forum. I wish you luck finding what you need.
I know it sounds awful, but euthanizing this dog would be more humane than watching it suffer and die a painful death from heartworm. Treatment is very expensive and very painful. It’s similar to a human going thru chemo. I’m so sorry you’re in this position!I don't see how it will help. They will just euthanize the dog, they don't keep or treat sick dogs in local shelter.
1 - 10 of 10 Posts
Puppy Forum and Dog Forums
Come join a community dedicated to the discussion of grooming, food reviews, training tips, rescue groups, and dog pictures. All dog breeds and dog breeders welcome
Full Forum Listing
Top Contributors this Month
View All
3GSD4IPO
47 Replies
DaySleepers
45 Replies
Little Louie
24 Replies
Recommended Communities
