Heartworm :*(

[Tambrey]

I took my Blackfoot to the vet today because just in the last few days, he has gone from picking at his food, to not eating regular kibble, so I fed him eggs and bread until I could get some different dog food...I got him Science Diet senior kibble and canned food and he still only ate the canned food with some egg and bread...today he turned his head away from that even, and he has gotten thin really fast...

The vet asked how long he had been like this, and I said only 3 or 4 days, but today was the first day he refused to eat anything at all...I figured he had a bad tooth, being 9 years old...

He listened to his lungs and heart, took his temp (a bit of a fever), and drew blood because he suspected heartworm right away...he was right
He said there is not alot of evidence in the blood, but it is hard to say how bad the actual heartworm(s) is at this point...

He said once it is detected, it is difficult to treat because by this stage, it is fairly well set in...but I want to try...so he gave Blackfoot a shot in his back muscle to actuall kill the worm(s), a shot of steriods and antibiotics...plus he sent him home with steriods and antibiotics for the next two weeks, and I follow up then, or sooner, as he might need more antibiotics...
He said the next two weeks will tell us if he will make it through or not...
He said in vet school, they talked and showed picks of open heart surgery where they actuall go in and remove the heartworm...I asked if he can do this and he said no way...he was not trained enough nor had the equipment to do that...
And to be honest, with Blackfoot as he is right now, I am not sure he would survive a surgery...

I feel AWFUL We do everything we can to protect them and love them and care for them...and things still happen...

I am going to feed him whatever I can get into him these next two weeks...tonight I made up some oatmeal, some chicken gravy, bread...he licked at bit at each, but really did not eat anything...*sighs*...
I do hope he begins to feel better after the shots and meds all set in...

But the vet said the main thing to worry about next is that the worm will die, and it will travel through the heart to the lung, and that is where most dogs show signs of deterioration...so we do whatever we need to do to get him past that...and pray it all passes without major incident...

If he makes it through the next month, he goes in again for one or possibly two more shots...right now he is weighing 70 pounds...

I just have to brace myself for the possibility that Blackfoot might be crossing over the Bridge sooner than I ever thought he would...
I am on my way to the prayerbooks now....

[Traci]

Tambrey, I'm sorry to hear this. While I agree with your vet that surgery is probably out of the question, if at any time you question your vet's level of experience, don't hesitate to see someone else, especially during this treatment period.

Hang in there, I'm sending good thoughts and well wishes that Blackfoot pulls through this.

[Tambrey]

Thanks Traci...I will stay positive and do whatever I can for Blackfoot...

I was noticing in the vet's this evening also, when he was looking up at me, and the lights in the office were in his eyes, that there is a bit of a bluish hue to them...*Sighs*...he is getting old too fast...

I just hope this heartworm does not do him in...or make him suffer...I will not let him suffer...I will do what I can for him, but I do not want to hang onto him for selfish reasons if this does not work...

All I can do right now is hope the meds work, and do not injure his lungs as it all works through his system...and that he will soon begin to eat again and gain his strength and weight back...

[k9Karen]

I'm so sorry to hear this, Tambrey. I wish you and your sweet pupper all the best. Hope everything turns out OK. Keep us posted.

[Tambrey]

Thank you Karen...this is NOT what I was expecting to hear this evening when I took him in...I figured they would keep him overnight and remove a bad tooth in the morning...heartworm what not even something I had thought of...

Now I need to get our other two dogs in and tested...just to be sure they are safe...if there was one infected mosquito there were probably more...

I was just reading on a site about treatment...Blackfoot is a strictly outdoor dog...he loathes being inside (believe me, I tried to make him an indoor dog!)...except durig thunderstorms...big chicken
But, I am thinking I may bring him in on the vestibule for the next few weeks...it is a smaller room, he is used to it because that is where he is when it storms...so he can rest...yet I do not want him to be more stressed by having to be inside all the time, and not laying out in the sunshine he so loves...

Not that there is alot going on along our dirt road, but the owner of the horses comes by daily, and they are doing railroad work not far away, and the highway is being repaved...so all their equipment is down here and lots of activity going on every morning and evening...
They say to keep the dog as quiet as possible during intial treatment so there is a better chance the dog can absorb the dead worm(s) and not have any dislodge and travel to the lungs...

[ShelbysMom]

Oh Tambrey, I'm so sorry to hear this. My prayers are with you that Blackfoot will pull through.

[Tambrey]

Thank you Shelby'sMom...
Any and all prayers and well wishes are greatly appreciated and accepted...

But for now...I need to try to get some sleep...morning comes too soon...

He is in God's Hands now as to what happens...the ver did what he could...I will do what I can as far as foods and giving his meds...and pray he pulls himself through this well enough...

[Marty]

I had a foster, Dirk, who was VERY heartworm positive. It was my first experience with this, and he pulled through just fine. I remember that the coughing was very unnerving. He felt bad enough that he kept himself pretty quiet on the doggy bed at my feet. Maybe Blackfoot will do the same. Prayers to you all.....

[Tambrey]

Marty...that is good to know...it gives me hope for Blackfoot...
I am thinking that since it is getting colder, even though his "house" is a double walled insulated 8x8 shed with concrete floor and bales of straw, plus an igloo dog house inside of that...still, I am going to bring him in on the vestibule for the most part, especially at night, and let him out in his yard for periods of time during the warmish days...

I hope that we caught it early enough to treat successfully...

[Tambrey]

Well, Blackfoot is eating, although not what I prefer him to eat...but right now it is something in his stomach.

David went to give him his meds yesterday morning, and he took with him some eggs and bread, along with a few slices of deli ham. Blackfoot loved the ham and did not even notice the two pills wrapped up in it. However, he would ont touch the eggs and bread.
David came and looked in the fridge for anything, and found the leftover pizza we had...supreme...he took 2 slices out and Blackfoot gobbled them right down and wagged his tail, so David came and got 3 more slices. Blackfoot ate 1-1/2 and David left the rest for him to eat later...he did.

So, I stopped at the store and got frozen hamburger pizza, 10 for $10.00...he ate an entire pizza lastnight and another this morning...

Now as I said, it is not what I would prefer him to eat, and I am going to try other things today...mac and cheese with ground beef in it...some chicken cooked up...any other ideas to get him to eat during these next few weeks, and have it be halfways healthy for him?!

He is looking better, and pretty much keeping himself at rest...I have him outside still as he is not running or barking or anything, but it is supposed to rain today, so he will most likely be coming inside then...

Thanks for the continued support and prayers during this time...