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Care until heartworm treatment begins
I recently adopted a dog from a shelter. He is heartworm positive, was treated for hookworms 2 days ago, and is very, very skinny. The vet said his red blood cell count is 'on the cusp.' I just gave Atticus hookworm treatment two days ago. We cannot begin heartworm treatement for three weeks. Other than limiting his activity, how do I best care for him? He is not eating much and I have to really work with him to get him to eat. Should I give him a diet higher in protein than usual?
I've been thinking about him all night...What is his primary food? You don't have long to build up his immune system; the stronger he is the better he will tolerate his treatment.....Let me know and I'll get back with you......Karla
I'm surprised the shelter let you adopt him being heartworm positive. Around here they won't let you adopt them until the treatment is complete.
Peek had some great suggestions to get him to eat. Also, try to limit his activity. Do not allow him to run hard (even if he feels up to it)
Good luck!
Peek had some great suggestions to get him to eat. Also, try to limit his activity. Do not allow him to run hard (even if he feels up to it)
Good luck!
Did they go ahead and give him his first dose of HW preventative? This is usually the first step in treating a HW positive dog. Its simply the regular, monthly chewable that most dogs take...and yes, it is given even to HW + dogs, as it begins eliminating the microfilaria, and helps prevent transmission to other dogs that happens when a mosquito bites your dog and then bites dogs that live nearby.
This is well tolerated and should have been done already.
In the meantime, yes, he needs to beef up a little. I find that dogs love cooked chicken and cooked ground beef added to their foods, along with cooked rice. (I won't get into raw foods, they have merit, but it must be done with care and great understanding of fresh, raw feeding).
See if your dog like the addition of cooked, shredded chicken or ground beef. Sometimes simply adding cooled chicken broth to his regular food will help. There are premade dog "gravies" that can be found in pet stores that will tempt the pickiest eaters. Sometimes adding jars of baby food meats and vegetables to food helps, too.
Good luck, and I hope he gains weight and begins the real treatment soon, and recovers quickly.
This is well tolerated and should have been done already.
In the meantime, yes, he needs to beef up a little. I find that dogs love cooked chicken and cooked ground beef added to their foods, along with cooked rice. (I won't get into raw foods, they have merit, but it must be done with care and great understanding of fresh, raw feeding).
See if your dog like the addition of cooked, shredded chicken or ground beef. Sometimes simply adding cooled chicken broth to his regular food will help. There are premade dog "gravies" that can be found in pet stores that will tempt the pickiest eaters. Sometimes adding jars of baby food meats and vegetables to food helps, too.
Good luck, and I hope he gains weight and begins the real treatment soon, and recovers quickly.
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