My dog has heartworms...HELP!!!

[LilHollywood17]

So, we recently got this bulldog that was found wandering around the streets.
Poor thing was so malnourished (you could see his little ribs and his spine and everything), and we have no idea what the deal with this dog is. He has a chip with nothing on it and hes been neutered. Other then that, we're completely clueless.
So we recently got him his shots and tested and his blood results came back positive for heartworms.
My mom's going to call the vet in the morning (they're closed now), but anyone have any advice on what options we might have to treat this??
And what are the risks that come along with treatment?

[LilHollywood17]

Just a bit of an update: We were able to take his test results to another vet, and they said he was in the very early stages and that an injection wasn't really necessary (thank goodness!!! I was so terrified because I've read and heard about how it could kill the dog) and that giving him heart worm meds should help (THANK YOU nikkie1580!!! The fact that you posted that really helped me be more comfortble about giving it to him :]).
We're going to get him re-tested in a bit and see how things clear up.

seeana
Oh, thank you :)
Animals are just a huge, huge part of my life (always have been and always will be).

Ah ha, bulldogs do make people smile, that's the truth!
I mean, they're a lot of work (with all their health issues and whatnot), but just lookin' into their faces and you know it's all worth it in the end. They're just so sweet and loyal.

[seeana]

I get so frustraited with some peaple who pop into this forum looking to get advice without having to go to the vet and it really depressed me.

But in the last couple of days Yourself and 7hill with the Great Dane puppies!  have restored my faith in human nature there are also maybe another couple that out there like both of you it makes it all worthwhile.

You do know Bulldogs will always keep you laughing, they are very good on skateboards too,they as would have seen have the biggest smile ever he will bring so much joy to your life.  I WANT ONE.Although must admit my Clumber Oscar looks a bit like one with long ears.lol.

Dont be a stanger ok.             sincerely Joan xx

[LilHollywood17]

nikkie1580
Oh, okay!
I understand :)
Just, there's so much information out there, and it can all be really confusing (and so, so scary!!!).
But I will try to make sure that his activies are kept to a minimum!
:)
Thank you so much!


seeana
Oh, there's no question about it: This dog is here to stay lol
We're all animal lovers (we have around 18 now lol) and we just can't bear to ever give any of them up! We never wanna abanond an animal. All we really wanna do is get him better. Before all of this, we were just obessed with getting him all fattened up and looking like a dog should! Not all skin and bones with scars and sores all over his poor, droopy face lol
He's such a sweetie and while he's a little hyper and just this huge drooling thing, we adore the little sweetheart.

[seeana]

Gosh poor darling , in a bad way through weakness and neglect.If the cost is too much go to your local newspaper with photo's of him and they should put a story of his plight in their paper its a good story..... as there is nothing sadder than a bulldogs face, its up to you whether you want to take this poor little soul on ,or look for someone else to give him a home .

Either way get in touch with news paper and show the photo's to them I have dealt with the press a lot over the year's in Aus and they do have a heart.

  Failing that, surrender this little lost soul to an animal welfare group with a  no kill policy.As you know you cannot make that decision.The Vet can help you there.

This breaks my heart, some humans have so much to answer for just letting him wander about or getting him in this state.

Please keep in touch we all would love to find out how he is going along the way.

[nikkie1580]

then do not give him if that do what your vet told you.i I am not a vet, This was just a suggestion from what my vet told me we foster abandoned stray neglected dogs and have had lots of heart worm cause more then i would like and this is   how are vet treated them. So  if your vet said no do not do not used it, treatment is based on the stage( baby teenage or adult worms) But i do know all vets say to rest and no activities until he better, nothing that will make his blood flow fast And you vet will give him the best treatment for him, we give advise but always talk to your vet first.  

[LilHollywood17]

Mmmkay.
But when we got the test results back, they said don't give him anymore heart worm preventivites :o

[nikkie1580]

immediately restrict activities no  ball chasing  no running and lots of rest. AND start him on heart worm prevention and continue this throughout treatment and after ,Dr might give him prednisone to help relive symptoms. the treatment will depend on how bad it is or what stage he is in, there are 3 stages.   So here it goes on day 61 he will have his  first treatment  stay at the hospital for two days and get injection send home with prednisone complete rest, day91 same as above except1 day extra in hospital after that 2 month of rest and restricted activity and then  6 month later a heart worm test and continue heart worm prevention. NOW there are risk in treatment that is why the hospital stay but it the only treatment or he could die with out it.it does take time and money but it wroth it.hope he better soon.