Heartworm Question from Bet643

Hi Bet!  I'm starting a new thread for you so more people will see your question and respond.  The Welcome Thread doesn't always get read by all members.  Welcome!
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Hi , I'm new to the community also.  I have a 4yr. old male that I adopted from our local A.P.L. He was tested for heartworm, had his shots and everything else that you can think of. I was told his heartworm was negative.. Got him to the vet the next day, put him on heartworm pills along with his exam. Now, I  had my Vet test him for heartworm a yr later, and it turned out positive. I was told that it probably didn't show  up the first time because it was in the early stages. Now my poor dog had to go through some very painful injections deep in his lumbar plus a oral treatment. Drew some more blood to see if there are anymore babies swimming around, and so far it looks good. Still on sentinal and he will be tested again. I just hope he doesn't have to go through these painful shots again. He was so soar that he couldn't even  walk. I had to get him on pain meds just so he could get up to go outside to do his business. It would have broken my heart if he had to be put down. The A.P.L. said I could have another dog,,but that would be out of the question. I am already attached to this one.  I already had to put down my other dog that was 14 yrs old with cancer.