Heartworm Alert

[sillysadie]

I am writing this in sadness as I will probably lose two of the sweetest dachshunds you will encounter to Heartworm Disease.

I got a call from a rescue group in Texas that I work with that two mini black/tan siblings were coming to me but they had been diagnosed with a heavy infestation of Heartworms. The vet wanted to put the girl down but she said no and sent them to me.

Everyone who transported this pair just fell in love with these lovebugs. I received them in Dallas and proceeded with the long 10 hour trip to Albuquerque and not a minute's trouble with them except who could snuggle closer to me.

We took them to my vet who was willing to try after a complete blood work up. They were treated with only one injection as the normal treatment would have killed them. The were hacking and wheezing something awful.

The treatment seemed to go fine but the injection sites were tender as it is a pretty rough treatment as long needles are put into the back. We brought Mickey and Minnie home and started the rest period. They were eating well and feeling better.

Mickey has since experienced mild blackouts so I have been taking him to the vet each day for observation while Minnie seemed to be better.

Today they both are experiencing Liver failure from the toxins build up of the worms dying off. They are both on IV drips for a couple of days hoping to flush their system.

Minnie has gone into heart failure. She is being stimulated with Heart medications but she is losing her battle. We will give her two days before I will put her down. Her brother will be devastated but I will not let her suffer if it comes to it. The vet is still hopeful so I will be to for the moment.

I am writing this so people will realize that heartworms are 100% treatable with an inexpensive tablet given once a month. If your area is a slight to high Heartworm area please keep them on a preventative. This is not the first dachshund I have gone thru HW treatment with and it is a heartwrenching time for the dog and my family.

[Krista]

I second that!!!! I have seen so many dachsie's listed on rescue sites that had heartworms. Spare your dog the pain and keep them on Heartworm Prevention year round!!! I got a five dollar refund when I purchased a year's supply of Heartguard Plus. I think I paid about $27 and then I got $5 back. It is worth the money to save me from worry and my puppers from pain.

[Tanya]

Sillysadie,
God bless you and little Mickey and Minnie. We live in hot humid SW Georgia where mosquitos are everywhere so my babies are ALWAYS on HW prevention but I know of some neighbors who don't give their dogs HW pills and it kills me. http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/angry.gif

I will pray that Mickey and Minnie pull through. Unless you have seen a dog die from HW, you can't even imagine what Sillysadie and her little ones are going through. Please keep us all posted on their condition. I will ask God to keep them in his hands and to help you too.

Sending healing dachsie rayz to Mickey, Minnie and hoping you keep your sanity as you go through this difficult time. Bless you.
Tanya

[georgette]

What can anyone say except that our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. We never seem to become immune to the tragedies, do we? I'm so thankful that you're with them. How old are they?
-georgettehttp://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/kfrown.gif

[~8DachsieAngels~]

We will keep lil minnie and mickey in our prayers ... http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/kfrown.gif One thing i have learned about heartworm treatment is that just because your dogs on the pill doesnt mean that he or she is totally safe ... i read a article at my vets office a few mos. back about a dog that was on heartworm and came up positive for it they found out it was because he wasnt absorbing the medication into his system he had been having some problems with food and would vomit off and on they think that the meds. may not have made it totally into his system .. so if your dogs been sick wait to give him the pill until the illness has passes this way you are sure of total protection... Good Luck with those babies Shelly.

Jen

[Roxane]

Shelley:
What a terrible situation. It is gut wrenching sad, especially since we all realize it might have been prevented.
Bless you for hanging in there and trying,
Roxane

[sillysadie]

I went to see Mickey and Minnie this evening. They both have IV's strapped to their little legs and they look lost. Mickey recognised me and perked up a bit but Minnie didn't. They are such sweet lovebugs who love each other dearly and any body who happens to pass by. I must admit to crying for them as I left. I have only had them for two weeks and I was in love from the time we closed the door of the car. I will go in tomorrow morning and discuss our options....guess another tossing and turning night. BTW they are 6-7 yrs old and they have a heck of a tale as to why they were brought into rescue..for another day.

Shelley

[OneCoolPup]

Those poor babies. Give them lots of hugs and kisses for me okay? I'm so glad that if these are their final days, they have someone like you to spend them with.

[weenie]

Shelley,

I just got caught up on all of the posts. Please know that you are doing all that is possible for these little puppers. I will keep you and them in my prayers. Willi sends Mickey and Minnie doxie healing rayz. Keep in touch!

-Kris

[2DogsLong]

Shelley,
I send my best wishes to you and to Mickey and Minnie. Poor little guys. I gave F&O their heartworm pills last night and they sent healthy RAYZ to Minnie.

You are wonderful for trying to help these two dachsies.

[sillysadie]

Minnie died this morning. That beautiful sweet tiny little girl lost her battle to Heartworm infestation. I will miss those large liquid brown eyes staring up at me trusting that I would finally take care of them. On our ten hour trip back she just looked up at me wondering if she could trust me. She realized she could and snuggled into me the whole trip. Please folks- just put you little ones on a preventative. I guess Minnie will meet me me at the gates of the rainbow bridge as she never found her forever home.

<IMG SRC="http://www.geocities.com/sillysadie_99/mini.jpg" border=0>
Minnie is the top and Mickey is on the bottom

<font color="#00FFFF" font size="1">[This message has been edited by sillysadie (edited August 31, 2000).]</font>

[loving two dachsie's]

Shelley,

I just read this post and am so saddened by this. If only people would do the right thing. I also bought the double pack of Heartguard and receive the $5 rebate. A small price to pay for my dog's life!

Our prayers are with you for Mickey, the poor little guy will miss Minnie so much. It is not fair the little girl did not get a chance in life.

Linda


<font color="#00FFFF" font size="1">[This message has been edited by loving two dachsie's (edited August 31, 2000).]</font>

[Mickamack]

Shelley,

I am so sorry to hear about Minnie. You must be heartbroken. Even though she was only in your life a short time, I can only imagine how attached you had grown to her. I pray that she is now healthy and at peace, and waiting for you at the bridge.

Karen

[Tanya]

Oh Shelley, I'm so sorry. I've been praying for Minnie so hard and have even shed tears for these 2 babies. I know my Punkin will look after her until the day we go meet them at the bridge. You will be that wonderful rescuer who will escort those sweet puppers across the bridge who never went to their forever homes. But you know Shelley...with your love for Minnie and her trust for you...I think Minnie had found her forever home.
God bless you.
Tanya

Please consider putting Minnie's story on the Dachshund Memorial Garden webpage.

[wireweiners]

I am so sorry about Mickey and Minnie. I hope Mickie is doing better.

A money saving tip for those with multiple dogs. Get a prescription from your vet for heartworm meds. Since my mom and I have about 10 dogs between us, we have been doing this for years. I pay about $6.50 for six months supply of "blue" heartguard plus and about $12 for the "green". This is about half what the vet charges. Also, some vets will mix the ivomec cattle wormer for you in a dog appropriate dosage. It is liquid and is administered orally by syringe. It is very inexpensive. Some vets recommend this over the pills as they can be swallowed whole and sometimes pass through the system without dissolving.

[Penny's Aunt]

I had heard some years ago that it was possible to do open-heart surgery to physically remove the worms from the heart. Then, the dog was treated with medication.

I don't live in a heartworm area. Is this surgery something that is ever offered, or is it too expensive?

[Becky's Mom]

Shelley, I am so sorry. Prayers of healing and hope for you and Mickey. Such a tragedy when the solution was so simple. Florence and Becky Ann

[Wienergal]

Shelley, I can't tell you how sad I feel for you and for Minnie. This has got to be the hardest part of rescue. I'm glad she was with someone who cared about her when she left this world.

--Pamela

[georgette]

She really did (does) have liquid brown eyes, doesn't she? I hope that Mickey takes a turn soon in whatever way his destiny is to be.
I'm glad that we're all so drawn to this thread even if it is so sad too often. We're kind of like the Am. Cancer Society - waiting for the day when there's nothing to post here.
You're such a good person Shelley. <IMG SRC="http://dachsie.org/ubb/cwmsmilies/cwm34.gif" border=0>
Georgette

[sillysadie]

Mickey is Home!! He is resting on the couch enjoying belly rubs but he is so happy to get back home. He did look for Minnie but I think he is exhausted from the last few days and is sleeping quite a bit. I miss Minnie alot but I have moved on and want to concentrate as much as possible on Mick. I will try to post Min on the Memorial Garden page as Tom suggested so someone might learn from her death. Keep up the rays for our little boy.

[SandyLynn]

Healing rays from my Mickey, Cleo and Winnie to your Mickey. I'm glad Minnie had someone to care about her, even if only for her last few days.

[WOTANSMUTTI]

Oh Shelley!

I haven't been reading this section and have recently caught up. That pict of the babies clinched it for me. Kleenex time<IMG SRC="http://dachsie.org/ubb/cwmsmilies/cwm36.gif" border=0>

I'm glad that Mickey made it. Your are a wonderful person to have been so brave in the face of all this hardship. Give Mickey a gentle hug from me.

Sonja

[sillysadie]

I guess we will end this thread with Mickey passing away this evening. I held him until he was gone . He is with Minnie now and he is happy and without pain . I just wish everyone could have met these two little book ends. They touched everyone who helped rescue them and we are richer for knowing them. This is the hardest part of rescue but I wouldn't have changed a minute I had to spend those sweet babies. Thank you all for comforting thoughts and wishes for Mick and Min. They were special.

[Roxane]

There really are no words to adequately express the sadness I feel. If they had any chance at all it was with you. Mickey and Minnie are now togther, forever, as they were meant to be.
A tearful thank you,
Roxane

[SusanFreddie]

Shelly,

I'm saddened by this. Just so unnecessary. I don't think I could do your job. A big thank you to you.

Susan (Doxielover - having problems using my real Username).

[weenie]

Hi Shelley,

Words just cannot express the sadness that I feel for you and Mickey and Minnie. I just know that they have found each other on the bridge and will live forever together like it was meant to be. Please hang in there and Willi sends you lots of hugs and kisses!

-Kris

[guest]

Shelley,
Consider yourself hugged

Shelbie and Mum
xx