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Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Another Dreadful Disease - Heartworm!
| So, I feel so relieved that my Beau was brought back from near-death, his IMHA is under control and his drugs diminished. Hooray! I get a call last night that my GSD Chloe tested positive for heartworm. She's going in for confirming bloodwork and chest/heart x-ray tonight. I'm devastated just thinking about this treatment, which I hear is absolutely brutal. Of course, Beau is being tested tonight as well -- although I'm thinking Chloe contracted it while in the rescue given the timing. Does anyone have any experience with heartworm treatment? Is it really as bad as it sounds? |
| Sharon PA |
| Sharon, I am so sorry to hear this. Good luck tonight at the vets. The only experience I have had was many many years ago my Standard Schnauzer probably died from this without our knowledge. There were no tests for it and no preventatives. She seemed very ill at the end but we didn't know what it was. I was a teenager and it was devastating to me. I think the seriousness of the treatment depends on the degree of invasion. But it does mean that for a period of time she must be confined to a crate and leash walked while the heartworms are killed. I know many dogs have survived this treatment. So for now, let's be optimistic that this will work. They will be using a similar ingredient that is in heartworm preventative but at a much higher and prolonged dose. Here is an excellent page that describes everything you need to know. http://www.heartwormsociety.org/pet-owner-resources/heartworm.html#treatment my best patrice |
| Patrice NYS |
| Patrice, thanks for the link. It was helpful. My head hurts from all this. I really never wanted to be on a first name basis with everyone in the vet's office and emergency hospital, and neither did I want to know as much as I do about disasterous dog diseases. But you gotta do what you gotta do... Thanks again! Sharon |
| Sharon PA |
| Sharon, I am so sorry to read your post. I hope everything works out o.k. I sure do understand your comments about first name basis etc. I miss the innocent days of owning a dog and you had never heard of all these awful diseases. Take care penny |
| Penny Lytle Creek Calif |
This thread was discussed on 06/05/2011
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