Gail, I'm just seeing this. Sending prayers for your Zoey that follow up tests will yield good results. Same for your other furbabies. I can imagine you are sick with worry. {{{Hugs}}}

thanks Kristin, I am very worried. My stomach flutters every time I think about it, which is pretty often. You know with the big doggies, I've worried about hip/elbow dysplasia, bladder stones, pra, getting into doggy fights, lepto, but heartworm was never even a blip on my consciousness, you get the test., you give the meds, nothing to worry about:(

The vet looked at me when I said sadly we were not compliant, then when he realized I meant with all "three" dogs, he looked very worried. The only saving grace was that Razz was away in the summer being shown, and I made sure I sent his revolution meds down with him, of course I checked in with the handler to make sure he was getting his meds. Would that I had done that with my husband! I think Razz must have got all his meds, because there were no left over doses that I found!.

I asked my husband why? Why did you not treat them, he said I just forgot, nothing more than that. Last summer was the first summer, I n ever followed up with him on meds. So it is my fault too. :cry:

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/yor...rm-strain.html

I'm not sure of the details... I think a 2nd test is done to determine the strain...

It makes me so sad that you have to worry about all three of your babies. I know how much you love them, and you give them the best of care. I'm holding out hope that Zoey's bloodwork results will be good. You are so in tune with the health of your pups, and you would do anything to protect them. Please don't blame yourself. My prayers and my heart are with you. I wish I could do something to make this easier for you, but know that I care, am here for you, and will be pulling for you.

Awww Gemy, sorry you are going through this. Don't be so hard on yourself. Sending good thoughts and prayers your way for your babies and you.

I will continue to hold you and your babies in my heart, thoughts, and in the light. I hope today is a brighter day for you, filled with hope and comfort. If my wishes made it so, you would have peace of mind and a lifetime of health, love, and happiness with your family.

Thanks Lisa, only one more day to go, before I find out the results!. Keeping everything crossed I can.


Thanks Cha Cha I appreciate that. We need all of those prayers and thoughts we can get. Waiting is the worst, not knowing.

Sorry that you are going thru this. Praying for good news today. This has always been a worry for me and my crew. Heart worm is so prevalent in this area it's a real scare!
Sending good thoughts!

Stuff happens. Ellie has been late before too. Maybe put it as an alert to give once a month in your cell phone? Then the alarm will go off on that day...

ON is pretty close to MI and the protocol has changed her. Medicating for only part of the year is no longer considered acceptable here because there is no guarantee that all mosquitoes die off. There have been positive cases when owners didn't medicate in the winter. So it should be once a month, every month, year-round, with at least annual testing, and watch that they don't throw it up.

All of them fail at one time or another. There are some serious concerns about Revolution having a fairly high failure rate. Personally, I would not trust it.

The new strain is probably isolated around MS right now, but there could also be other afftected areas. There are concerns about the current heartworm meds not working against it, but in the lab, they were all still 99+% effective as long as they were given once a month for three months after the dog was infected. However, there are still a ton of reported cases of heartworm positive dogs down South where the owners are compliant. It's a hard one. All you can do it give a good product year-round.

For almost all dogs, standard of care is Immitcide therapy (arsenic based injections). Slow kill is generally not recommended. The disease can progress during that two year period. Chest xrays will help the vet stage the disease to see how far things have progressed. Prior to treatment, it is becoming very common and a very good idea to give Doxy to kill the wolbachia (some type of nasty that heartworms carry). This makes the Immiticide easier on the pup.

The American Heartworm Society is the authority on all things heartworm and it's a great site to go look around and study.

Thanks very much Crystal, I appreciate this infor. I will go look at the American Heartworm Society now.

It is appropriate timing as it is confirmed I just received a voice message on my cell, she definitely has heart worm. My vet is in surgery right now, and will call me at home this evening to discuss the treatment. :(

Final test positive for Heartworm
 

Well the more specific antigen test came back positive. Our vet recommends hospitalization while she undergoes the heartworm treatment, also a heart/lung xray.

Zoey is going into the VEC in Toronto for a consult 8 30 am Monday and to her general vet at 12 30 pm for thoracic Xrays.

Our general vet thinks she should be hospitalized for at least 7 days while she undergoes the arsenic treatments - ie adulticize. How's that for a spin on words. :(

My beloved friend Diane is probably smiling right now in heaven. For much of my life she taught me about the power of prayer, and I know she would love how much I am praying for you, Zoey, and the rest of your family. I will continue to hold you in my heart and prayers.

Oh no..... this is terrible, I am so sorry, Gail!!! I will be hoping that all goes well for Zoey and her treatment..... please keep us posted.

We will be praying for Zoey and mommy as they go through this!

I'm so sorry to read this, Gail. I'll keep Zoey in my thoughts and prayers for a good outcome. Have you read this thread?

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/sic...art-worms.html