Good and Bad News about my Rescue
Unfortunately, I chose to have some extra vet work done and he tested slightly positive for heartworms. They said I didn't have to adopt him if I didn't want to but, the whole reason I rescued him was so he wouldn't die so it wouldn't make much sense to not try to save him again. Anyway, their vet offered a suggestion that since he was just slightly positive, a new school of thought was to just put him on Heartgard or Revolution to keep what he has at bay and let him live out his life like that, rather than put him through the arsenic poisoning and rest period. I have to say, I'm pretty upset right now. Has anyone gone through the deworming process or heard of the alternative that the vet at the pound offered? I only want to do what's best for him and I'm leaning towards the arsenic just so we get rid of them completely. I'm just hoping it won't cost a fortune to do it. Am I an idiot for even considering putting a dog that I've never met through a potentially expensive treatment? |
|
|
| Oh man this sucks! I can't help with the heartworm side of it, but I don't think you're an idiot at all. Edison was waiting for you. That's all there is to it.
Hugs & slurpy kisses from Jil & the girls. |
| Jill, If you do what the vet suggests, will that greatly decrease his life or make it uncomfortable? |
| As far as putting him on preventatives and not actually trying to get rid of the worms? I don't know.
I know the arsenic treatment is dangerous but seldom fatal. They stay in the hospital for 2 days getting the treatment to kill the worms But, it does require the dog be on restriction for 1 month-- lots of rest, no running, but after that, he should be good to go. I'd be lying if I said I was thrilled about spending the money (especially after tossing out $400 for my 2 healthy dogs this week, but I'd rather he be better permanently than running around with worms. that's not good for him and puts other dogs at risk too. I just don't want him to suffer. |
| No brainer, I think. Spend the money. He'll feel better, you'll feel better. |
| Yeah, I know. I don't know why I'm even questioning it because as soon as I see him, there's no way I wouldn't fix him.
I just talked to James's mom to make sure that she'd be up for caring for him during the treatment and she said absolutely, as long as it isn't contagious to her cats, which it shouldn't be. He can't get excited for a month so there's no way he could stay here. Clyde wouldn't leave him alone. |
| Hi Butterscotch's mom,
Oh I'm soooo sorry to hear about your rescue's medical problems. I can relate so well if you've been following the trials and tribulations I've had with Panda this past couple weeks. Although he's been in my home for a year and I love him more than ever. You are such an angel for saving this boy and you're right..you can't give up now. I do understand regarding the money situation however, sometimes it's really tough and in your case you haven't met your boy yet. Is it possible the rescue people will help cover some of the cost? Heartworms is extremely rare in the Lower Mainland where I live but does occur in the interior of my province so I'm not familiar with it. I find the internet my best friend when I have to try to find out as much info as possible about anything. I'd start there...read everything you can about Heartworms and see what most think is the best method. I'm always of the school of thought that "This boy needs me and I've already stepped up to the plate". So you know where I stand in terms regarding the choice. Hugs to you and him! I want to offer you all the support I can - please let us know what's happening. Marianne |
| Jill-
Can you call your vet for advice? Maybe he can reassure you on what to do. |
| Yeah, that was the first thing I did after I talked to theirs. He said full treatment, hands down. I guess I was just hoping for another solution that wouldn't be that. |
| This probably won't make you feel any better, but after we adopted Maggie, she broke her leg not once, but TWICE, and it cost about $2500 each time for the surgery. And, yes, she has had health problems, and yes, she will eventually have even more health problems, but it's almost 4 in the morning, and I look at her, "holding up the wall" and right now, I don't care about a penny that I've spent...this dog makes me so happy, and hopefully, once she's a certified as a Therapy Dog she will make other people happy.
I don't know if it's that we get attatched to the dog we buy, or we buy the dog that we get attatched to, but my dog, Maggie...she really does make me happy. And that devalues ALL of the vet bills we have received (and let me tell you, we have received A LOT of bills). It's just, the reason that I want to have Maggie certified as a Therapy Dog is because she makes ME happy. And I guess I want to share that with everyone. I know my dog is not THE BEST dog in the world, but she simply makes me feel good, and I want to go and visit people and give them the same feeling that I get. So, anyway, what I wanted to say is that sometimes animals are expensive. But I know that when I met Maggie, I totally connected with her, and it went beyond saving a dog. It was more about using this dog to save people. And that's what I'm determined to do. |
| Hi Jill.
So sorry for the both of you  . Poor little guy deserves a second chance. I hope things work out for you all.
Uncle Pete |
| Jill,
I'm so sorry you and Edison will have to go through this, but I think you know you have your answer - you will adopt him and you will do anything in your power to cure him. Can't wait to see pictures! Chris |
| You all know me so well. Of course I'll fix him. I'm currently bargain shopping for treatments right now. My vet is good but tends to be expensive and to be honest, when I talked to the tech and asked questions, she wasn't very compassionate or knowledgeable. Everyone really does the same treatment so I checking out a couple of vets that have been recommended to me.
Either way, he'll be home with me tomorrow, which I'm excited about. He's not contagious to other animals. The only way it could spread is if a mosquito bit him, then bit one of my dogs and spread the infected blood, then made it past their heartworm preventatives. Cats are apparently more resistant to heartworm. On a lighter unfortunate note, James's mom didn't like the name Edison so it got nixed. I couldn't much argue since she was willing to keep him. She wanted to name him Lucky, which I scoffed at, but considering that we'll be essentially saving his life twice, Lucky doesn't seem too far off! |
| Well, I still think he looks like an Edison, but like you pointed out, Lucky is pretty appropriate
He'll still be Edison to me, though. I was worried you wouldn't get to pick him up tomorrow. How disappointing would that have been!?! |
| I agree...sounds like he's pretty Lucky to me, too!! |
| This is turning into a great story ButtersStotch! Thanks for helping Edison/Lucky go trough this, you just earned a set of angel wings. |
| Lol. It would be a much better story without heartworms!
A friend in my office recommended her vet, who when I told the tech on the phone his story, was very compassionate. They estimated the total cost at half of what my vet said. I'm feeling much better about that part. So now we just have to see if he can handle the treatment so I took the first available appointment they had (which isn't for a week and a half because one of the vets is in the hospital and they're all backed up). I think this might be ok after all. I know I said it already, but I can't wait to get him tomorrow! |
| Years ago I had a dog go through the treatment, he pulled through it no big deal, you have to keep their activity low. I wouldn't let it bother me and go ahead and get him fixed up. This is going to be the best dog you ever had. |
| You're a good person. |
| I put a sheepie thru that when she was about 2-3. She did fine. Lived until age 12 or 13. I'm the type, let's just get rid of them once and forall. |
| Hi Again,
Oh sheesh just realized all these weeks I've been reading your nic as Butterscotch..hee hee. Just realized my mistake today. 
That was great regarding the news about the compassionate vet! Yah!! I wondered if you have ever seen the wanted poster of a cartoon dog..it goes something like this...dog missing, 1 ear, 1 eye, fur missing in some places...yada yada...it goes on and on...then states..goes by the name of Lucky.  Anyway that came to mind when you mentioned the name Lucky..suits him, that or Chance. It's always wonderful to hear about a successful rescue!
Marianne and the boys |
| It's 7:30 . . . how was the trip?
How is Lucky? Inquiring minds want to know! |
| HEY JILL...WHERE ARE YOU? |
| I just reported the whole story in the "Rescuing a Sheepdog" so I wouldn't gum up medical and nutrition with a rescue story.
Check out: http://forum.oes.org/viewtopic.php?t=3883 for the fully story! Jill |
Didn't find exactly what you're looking for? Search again here:
Custom Search
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|