A friend just found out that her dog, Zeus, has heartworm. Does anyone have any good information (websites, books, anything) on heartworm and its treatment? She's a nursing student, so it can be medical terminology heavy. Also information on what to expect during treatment?
Zeus actually tested positive for heartworm a year ago and somehow the vet clinic overlooked the results and she was never told. When Zeus went in for his annual exam, vaccines and heartworm test, it came back positive and they discovered the mistake when they went through his records. So, my friend is frustrated and upset. This dog is her baby. Prior to the heartworm test a year ago, he was not on heartworm preventative.
Also does anyone here have a dog who's been through heartworm treatment?
Heartworm Treatment
Re: Heartworm Treatment
http://www.heartwormsociety.org/
I'd say that was a pretty serious "mistake" on the vet's part, and I have to wonder, what is he doing to address this, is he offering to pay for the treatment!!??? Is he a competent vet?
It depends on the worm burden, and how soon treatment is initiated, I'd be for getting a new vet and consult about the dog's treatment.
I'd say that was a pretty serious "mistake" on the vet's part, and I have to wonder, what is he doing to address this, is he offering to pay for the treatment!!??? Is he a competent vet?
It depends on the worm burden, and how soon treatment is initiated, I'd be for getting a new vet and consult about the dog's treatment.
..........Traci
Re: Heartworm Treatment
I agree with you that it's a serious mistake. I think what happened is that vet clinic never called with the heartworm test results, and the dog's owner forgot to call them when she didn't hear from them.
The vet has offered to do the treatment at cost. It's the same clinic but not the same vet who did the heartworm test last year (the vet who saw him a year ago was there part time and temporarily while someone else was on maternity leave). I think my friend will be staying with the same clinic because of the cost discount. The reason the dog wasn't on heartworm preventative in the first place was because his owner was having financial difficulty. Even though he's on preventative now, the damage has been done. It's a frustrating situation all around.
I've been taking my dogs to the the vet who owns the practice (not one of the vets who's handing this case) for 15 years, and have always had a very good experience with him. But it's still a big mistake, so I don't know what I'm going to do about my dogs yet.
Thanks for the link! The dog has an appointment on Sat for chest x-rays and bloodwork. I know his owner wants to start treatment as soon as possible.
The vet has offered to do the treatment at cost. It's the same clinic but not the same vet who did the heartworm test last year (the vet who saw him a year ago was there part time and temporarily while someone else was on maternity leave). I think my friend will be staying with the same clinic because of the cost discount. The reason the dog wasn't on heartworm preventative in the first place was because his owner was having financial difficulty. Even though he's on preventative now, the damage has been done. It's a frustrating situation all around.
I've been taking my dogs to the the vet who owns the practice (not one of the vets who's handing this case) for 15 years, and have always had a very good experience with him. But it's still a big mistake, so I don't know what I'm going to do about my dogs yet.
Thanks for the link! The dog has an appointment on Sat for chest x-rays and bloodwork. I know his owner wants to start treatment as soon as possible.