Heartworm Positive – Page 3

Lilly

July 1, 2002January 7, 2021 by westiemed in Stories

July 2002:

I received a call from a man in southern LA who said he had adopted a Westie from a local shelter. He went on to explain that after taking her to the vet and learning of her health problems he could not keep her and wanted to turn her over to rescue. Dave and Mary Shipman went to pick her up at the vet’s office and brought her along on a rescue transport to me. I was told that she had a bladder stone but had no idea how severe her condition was until Mary and Dave filled me in. The poor baby was completely incontinent and had to wear a diaper when indoors. She arrived on Sunday and we were at my vet’s door Monday morning. Surgery was done that afternoon and a two-inch stone was removed from her bladder. She had also been diagnosed as having a level three heart murmur, my vet could not find anything that serious and felt like it was a level one at most. No surgery required! She came home with me and the change was amazing, what a little sweetheart she is!

But Lilly’s troubles were not over, she is heartworm positive and began her treatment on 7-22-02. She is doing great so far and I expect a complete recovery!

I have no idea what circumstances led Lilly to that shelter… I can not see any behavior problems at all, she gets along well with my other Westies and loves to play. Now she has a family in her future that truly loves her, I am looking for that family now. 🙂

I have to say that without this help I would not have been able to continue with rescue until I raised additional funds somehow. Once again Westie Med has kept me afloat and I can not thank you all enough!!!

Laura Louisiana Westie Rescue

Update September 2, 2002:

Lilly was declared all clear of those nasty heartworms last week and was adopted this weekend. They are previous Westie owners, it was love at first sight!

Update February 2003:

Lilly is doing great. She has fit in very well with our family, except for the cats of course. She has had no further medical problems except she favors her left rear leg. She loves to be the center of attention and doesn’t eat unless she is in the room with us. She sleeps at the end of our bed and has proven to be a good watchdog, although we haven’t found what she is barking at. She is also a skilled hunter with a heart. One day my wife let her in from the backyard with what looked like leaves in her mouth. It turned out to be a small bird that appeared to have no physical trauma though it was in shock.

We love Lilly and are very thankful for your assistance.

Sincerely, Bob and Gayla

Update June 2003:

Miss Lilly is doing great and has been a wonderful part of our family. She remains heartworm free. Gayla has really spoiled her. She loves to drink her water with ice in it and she thinks it is a real treat to drink out of a handheld cup. She eats special food supplied by our vet so that bladder infections can be avoided. She loves the attention that we give her. She does tend to be obsessive-compulsive especially where our cats are concerned. We keep them separated, not knowing who would be the winner in a confrontation. She has been such a blessing to us and we thank you so much for helping us find her.

Sincerely, Robert

Winston

February 1, 2002January 9, 2021 by westiemed in Stories

February 2002:

Winston came from a shelter in South Carolina in November 2001. Soon after arriving in rescue, he was treated for internal parasites and vaccinated, and he tested positive for heartworm. It was also determined that he was in a very weakened condition. His x-rays showed that he had an enlarged heart and a lot of fluid around the heart. Due to his weakened condition, the heartworm treatments would need to be spaced one month apart. His second heartworm treatment was received in December 2001. On January 15,2002, he was back in for a recheck and cough that had developed. Blood work revealed a secondary infection, and x-rays revealed his heart was still enlarged; however – he was clear of heartworms! Because of the continued heart enlargement, an echocardiogram was suggested for further diagnosis. This was performed on January 29, 2002. The echocardiogram showed that the right ventricular was thickened and there is a small amount of leaking. Additional x-rays are recommended in one month prior to anesthetic procedure for neutering. Winston will also need to take a baby aspirin every three days for the rest of his life, after the antibiotics are completed. Another echocardiogram is recommended again in six months. Since arriving, Winston has been kept confined with little to no activity as required for his care. Any exuberant exercise or activity could cause him to have an aneurysm. Winston should be able to lead a normal life once he has recovered, but he could be susceptible to congestive heart failure at a earlier age.

Update – August 2002:

Thanks for inquiring about Winston, my favorite subject! He is doing well. He was adopted on May 1, 2002, and now resides in West Virginia. His health has greatly improved. If you are planning to attend Montgomery County weekend this year (in October) you may have an opportunity to meet him at the parade of rescues. Thanks for caring about Winston.

Karen Spalding – President Westie Rescue, Inc.

Mikkie & Maude

January 1, 2002January 9, 2021 by westiemed in Stories

January 2002:

Mikki and Maude were picked up as strays and taken to the St. Tammany Parish Shelter in Abita Springs, Louisiana. Both were heartworm positive and would have been euthanized had they not have been taken in by Dawn Rescue. When found, they had no tags or other identification, they were in very poor condition, and there were signs of having been bred. Mikki and Maude have begun their heartworm treatment, and have experienced some side effects from it. We anticipate they will make a full recovery.

July 2002 Update:

You will be happy to know that both Mikki and Maude have been adopted. Maude came through the heartworm treatment and spaying with flying colors and was adopted by some nice folks in northern Mississippi, who already had a Westie girlie. BTW her new name is Gracie.

Mikki was a whole ‘another story. She did not respond well, and we almost lost her during the treatment (that is the last time we will use the immiticide treatment). When the treatment was complete, she was coughing a lot and x-rays showed an enlarged heart. After much medication and a follow-up ultrasound, she was found to have had a build-up of heartworm detritus in her lungs. She will have chronic emphysema for the rest of her life. Fortunately, she was not an active little girl, so it will not change her lifestyle. One of our neighbors fell in love with her and adopted her about a month ago. We were really happy since we can keep an eye on her as well. Her new name is Gidget. Unfortunately, I don’t have an email for them but can get you one if you wish.

We wish to thank Westie med for coming through for us and the girlies. Both the girlies were expensive to treat, but I’m sure their new families would say it was worth it.

The Shipmans

Angus

November 1, 2001February 7, 2020 by westiemed in Stories

Angus was brought to a vets office by his owner to be put to sleep. Angus’s “crime” was that he had lost most of his hair, and the owner didn’t want to deal with it anymore.

Angus came from an owner that was using him strictly for breeding. He was not current on his vaccinations, on no heartworm prevention, unneutered (of course), no flea/tick control, and no veterinary history whatsoever.

Despite his grim background, Angus is truly a wonderful little guy with a great temperament!

Unfortunately for Angus, he did test positive for heartworms. WestieMed is helping with the costs to get Angus through his heartworm treatments and to bring this sweet boy up to an adoptable condition. Please keep Angus in your thoughts as he continues to recover.

See Update September 2002