The Official "Dogs of the DMF" Thread

[Drjones]

Saw the vet.  No real diagnosis for the diarrhea, but he gave me some bland food used in treating diarrhea to feed her for this week.  Outwardly she's in good health, but does have heartworms.  Recommendation is to hold off on the spay until she's through with treatment for the worms.  I need to double check with the county shelter to see what liabilities I'm held to on the spay.

Spring board. Jump off. Right into the deep end of the pool of pet ownership.

[RAT900]

Drj  I don't think the county shelter should have much of a problem with you following the Vet's advice....and if they do...well make the beast with two backs them

Any dog facing surgery needs to be in good health or damn well should be

Immiticide is used to attack the heartworms, couple of shots

depending on how much diagnostic pre-work/testing you feel like having done the cost ranges from 200-300 bucks up to 1K

they say to keep the dog on very limited exercise after treatment as the worms die and break-up over the ensuing months  

and getting the dog's heart and lungs cranking at high output with all the debris in them can kill the dog


yes you're in the deep-end....but I will offer this; every dollar, minute of caring and concern I have invested in my dogs over the years

has been paid off by what the animal has given back to me

[Drjones]

I also emailed a local ACD rescue group to see what their recommendation is and they favor a "soft treatment" of heartworm preventative for a month, spay, recovery then heartworm treatment as long as she's not "high positive" for heart worms.  That's probably the route I'll propose since there are too many limitations for a dog that is not spayed; no day care, no dog park, potential lease issues should an altercation happen at the apartment, etc.

Not that she'll be that active until these hurdles are crossed, but there are risks either way.  Risk the spay with adult worms present or risk the spay with potentially damaged heart health from the heartworm treatment.  Really won't know the best option until they image the internal tissues as there's only so much you can tell by the blood test. The cost of the Immiticide treatment is not an issue as I keep my finances in order in case of emergencies.

[RAT900]

Good if you are willing to do the imaging to see how much adult infestation there is...

the preventative will help to keep the additional new worm count down

but yes it is sort of a dilemma on the spay w/adult worms present or not...risk either way

good luck! please post up how it is going

[Polpetta]

Good luck, sorry about the heart worms and congrats on the puppy 

[somegirl]

I got behind and just now saw all the recent losses.   

My condolences to everyone but especially to K and M for Jasper.   I am so glad we got to meet him.  I will never forget the image of Grover, our ancient arthritic whippet, chasing Jasper the Great Dane around the house.  I hope they are playing together once again.

[DesmoDiva]

We need some good DMF juju sent our way.

Henrik is about to go into emergency surgery for a bowel obstruction.   

[Stella]

We need some good DMF juju sent our way.

Henrik is about to go into emergency surgery for a bowel obstruction.   

What?!?! 


Good juju sent for sure!  Keep us posted.

[somegirl]

Sending good vibes to L and Henrik!

[RAT900]

rooting for the boy!!

[elyse]

poor henrik!  sending lots of good thoughts his way!

[DarkMonster620]

My two dogs started barking and howling the second I got in the cab to drive me to the airport . . . wonder how clean the house might be?

[cokey]

Violet goes in for spaying this Sunday.  Just turned 4 months last week..  very playful, wont stop licking us lol..  training classes soon...   my daughter keeps trying to use her as a horse. 

[DesmoDiva]

Thanks all!   

Henrik pulled through surgery well. 

The vet was able to push the obstruction (a hunk of carrot) through without opening up his intestines.  A shorter recovery time and less chance of infection.

Had time to do his neuter as well.

He should come home tomorrow with a pain patch.

The challenge will be keeping him quiet with hyper Otto around.

[Kopfjager]

The vet was able to push the obstruction (a hunk of carrot)

Who the make the beast with two backs gave the dog a carrot?