Heartworm Treatment

[citygirl]

If anyone here has been through this, I need help. It has been 1 week today since Max had his first treatment (and hopefully, only one). He seemed to be doing ok (other than biting the vet). We were able to pick him up Wednesday.

They said he did not eat Tuesday or Wednesday (he was picked up by his pawpaw 'cause I was out of town). I did finally manage to get something in him Wednesday night when we got home. He ate again Thursday, I thought he was fine, had finally gotten his appetite back - and being back at home. WRONG!!! He threw up alittle bit Thursday night and twice on Friday. We called the vet Saturday and he said it could be because we changed his food. So I purposely did not give him the other food again.

So he didn't eat at all Friday or Saturday (not even a treat). Sunday afternoon, I finally managed to coax him into helping me eat my ham sandwich. I didn't like giving him people food (he's never had it before and I didn't want to start it) but I was desparate. He loved the ham so I went and got a couple more slices from the pack and I fixed him some of the food I had picked up from PetSmart on Wednesday.

He ate it and the ham I was had feeding him. He's kept it down, so far, but he hasn't eaten anything since.

Any suggestions....????

[Maggie-Doodle]

When I had to treat my one wire for heart worms, he didn't want to eat either...the vet told me the treatment was akin to having taken chemo....my vet suggested we feed him rice and boiled chicken with just a little chicken juice on it...it seemed to digest better than most stuff..and ALL dogs love chicken...it temps them when nothing else will.

My little Boo-Boo got to where she couldn't eat any dog food last year...she would eat it and in just a few minutes she would chuck it back up...I started feeding her the chicken and rice and she doesn't seem to have the problem. Lamb and rice is also good from what the vet told me but I am NOT cooking lamb...it cost more besides. When I do grocery shopping I get 2 family packs of chicken thighs for the Boo...that usually last her 3 weeks. I get out a large cookie sheet, place the chicken on it until it is just about frozen solid, then I take it up and put in plastic freezer bags. When I need to cook some for her, I just put about four pieces in a pot and boil it..then she gets one piece with about 1 cup of cooked rice a day. Boo is a small dog (8-10 lbs) so the cost is about the same as dog food. IF you have bigger dogs, you could by a case of chicken cheaper if you have freezer room. I also give Boo a multi-vitamin a day so I know she is getting all the stuff she needs to be healthy.

[IGID]

When I had to treat my one wire for heart worms, he didn't want to eat either...the vet told me the treatment was akin to having taken chemo....my vet suggested we feed him rice and boiled chicken with just a little chicken juice on it...it seemed to digest better than most stuff..and ALL dogs love chicken...it temps them when nothing else will.

My little Boo-Boo got to where she couldn't eat any dog food last year...she would eat it and in just a few minutes she would chuck it back up...I started feeding her the chicken and rice and she doesn't seem to have the problem. Lamb and rice is also good from what the vet told me but I am NOT cooking lamb...it cost more besides. When I do grocery shopping I get 2 family packs of chicken thighs for the Boo...that usually last her 3 weeks. I get out a large cookie sheet, place the chicken on it until it is just about frozen solid, then I take it up and put in plastic freezer bags. When I need to cook some for her, I just put about four pieces in a pot and boil it..then she gets one piece with about 1 cup of cooked rice a day. Boo is a small dog (8-10 lbs) so the cost is about the same as dog food. IF you have bigger dogs, you could by a case of chicken cheaper if you have freezer room. I also give Boo a multi-vitamin a day so I know she is getting all the stuff she needs to be healthy.Your dog eats better than most people. Once they get off the initial shock of the treatment and start eating, can't you just start feeding them dog food again? They make chicken, lamb, and rice dog food.

[citygirl]

Well, I went home at lunch and tried to entice him with some more ham. Didn't work and he wouldn't even get up on the coach. He just laid on the floor. After 15 minutes of laying there, I heard the noise. Sure enough....I jumped up, grabbed him and carried him into the kitchen, where he proceeded to loose the rest of his stomach contents. I then broke down and called the vet.

Needless to say they could not offer me and answers or suggestions, other than the fact that they need to see him. *of course* So back to the vet we go tomorrow morning.

[aaron]

I've heard you shouldn't feed pork to a dog. Not sure where, but that's what I have heard.

[citygirl]

Well I've never heard that about pork. One of my co-workers suggested mixing an egg with some milk.

[citygirl]

Well, I carried Max to his Mimi and Pawpaw's last night. Pawpaw will take him to the vet today. His mimi fix him some chicken and rice and he gobbled it up. First thing he had eaten in a day and a half. Thanks MD for the tip!!!

[Maggie-Doodle]

Your dog eats better than most people. Once they get off the initial shock of the treatment and start eating, can't you just start feeding them dog food again? They make chicken, lamb, and rice dog food.


Yeah you are right about that. Boo Boo is not the one with heart worms...that was one of my WFT's...he is dearly departed now...he died of kidney failure a few years after the heart worm treatment.

Boo Boo got to where she barfed up any of the dog foods I would feed her. I don't know if it is just that since she is getting older (11) she can't digest the processed foods or maybe the fact that are teeth are wearing down or what, the chicken and rice seem to digest nicely and of course she loves it. Boo being a little dog it is not anymore expensive than buying a good grade of regular dog food...it might be cost prohibitive however if you have BIG dogs. I also give her table scraps but when I do I have to cut them up really fine...or she will barf them up from time to time...

When I had the WFT puppies, as they were being weined from their mothers I would give them crumbled up (soft) cornbread and a little raw hamburger crumbled up and mixed with a little milk....making the concoction really soupy. I always had healthy, fat little puppies with beautiful coats. My mom used to call them "cornbread puppies!" :) Of course when they got bigger they were put on a good grade of dog food. I learned not to feed Purina Hi Pro...it caused hot spots and I couldn't keep a good show coat on the doggies. I also never fed dry food dry but would put a little warm water or juice off of cooked veggies on it. If there were leftovers, I would chunk them in the food processor a little then add to the food. I always had healthy dogs...and they were never picky eaters.

[Maggie-Doodle]

Well, I carried Max to his Mimi and Pawpaw's last night. Pawpaw will take him to the vet today. His mimi fix him some chicken and rice and he gobbled it up. First thing he had eaten in a day and a half. Thanks MD for the tip!!!

GREAAAT! I am glad Max decided to start eating...he needs to have the food to keep his strength up. The heartworm treatments take a toll on the doggies...that is for sure..you will probably find he just doesn't act like his old self for quite awhile now. Make sure you don't let him to alot of exercise or do any running and jumping. When the heartworms start breaking up they can dislodge and get into the veins, heart and lungs and cause something like bloodclots...it could cause death. I don't mean to scare you but your vet probably already told you that. I would take my wire out on a leash so he couldn't run, after he would walk a little and do his business I would bring him in and crate him....otherwise he would have been like a yoyo! I also suggest you start giving him a good multi-vitamin to make sure he gets all of the nutrients he needs to stay healthy.

I will keep you both in my prayers...I know how it is to have a sick "baby" on your hands. Good thing Max has a good "grandpa" and "grandma" to help take care of him while you work.

[citygirl]

Yes, I am very lucky. He ate alittle more chicken and rice this morning before heading to the vet. He is going to have to spend the night at the vet, though. The good news is he had no fever and his lungs sounded fine. He is dehydrated and his stool was soft. Well at least he went, but he hasn't been eating enough to go.

Dr. says he thinks after the treatment last Monday and then not eating for 2 days might have caused an ulcer in his stomach. So he's going to give Max something for the dehydration and something to coat his stomach so that he might gain his appetite back. We'll get to pick him back up tomorrow.

It just upsets me knowing how hyper he is and how much I complain about how hyper he is and for him to do nothing but want to lay around. :(

[Maggie-Doodle]

Yeah, make sure he gets alot of fluids..he needs them to help wash the meds out of his system. I would imagine that the vet has a drip in him to keep him hydrated really well. When you give him the chicken and rice you can put some broth in it and he can drink that up too, it will help some. Keep us posted.

[Maggie-Doodle]

citygirl, how is Baxter doing today? Has his eating improved any? and his pep? He has to be happy to be home from the hospital!

[citygirl]

He is doing much better. His appetite has improved but I can't get him to drink much. Sunday afternoon, I bit off a piece of ice and held it in my hand for him to lick, after a couple of licks he finally drank from his water bowl. Hasn't had anything to drink since. He's urinating (last night, this morning, and when I took him out at lunch), but I tried the ice thing again at lunch to day to no avail.

He's still slow getting around, has the dry cough, and not much energy, but I can tell he feels alittle better. He'll perk his ears up!

[Maggie-Doodle]

He is doing much better. His appetite has improved but I can't get him to drink much. Sunday afternoon, I bit off a piece of ice and held it in my hand for him to lick, after a couple of licks he finally drank from his water bowl. Hasn't had anything to drink since. He's urinating (last night, this morning, and when I took him out at lunch), but I tried the ice thing again at lunch to day to no avail.

He's still slow getting around, has the dry cough, and not much energy, but I can tell he feels alittle better. He'll perk his ears up!


That is great news, so glad he is improving...make sure he doesn't get dehydrated..he could go down very quickly...maybe some chicken broth would temp him...at least it is liquid....I will continue the prayers!

[citygirl]

That is great news, so glad he is improving...make sure he doesn't get dehydrated..he could go down very quickly...maybe some chicken broth would temp him...at least it is liquid....I will continue the prayers!

Thanks MD! I appreciate it. He eat very very good yesterday and last night he finally drank alittle bit. I'll have to go get some chicken broth. Do I need to dilute it or heat it up or just give it to him straight from the can?

[Maggie-Doodle]

I don't use the canned chicken broth...I cook several thighs for Boo Boo and make my own broth. After it cools and the fat hardens on the top, I try to skim most of that off. You can add bits of chopped onion etc. to the chicken as you cook it to give it more taste...just as if you were cooking the stuff for yourself. I don't use the canned broth because it usually has way too much salt etc. in it. I add some salt and just a little pepper but to me the homemade stock is tastier than anything in a can...and you get it for free if you cook your own chicken. I add just a little rice to it sometimes to thicken it up a little but keep it soupy.

[citygirl]

I just wanted to thank all of you for your help, prayers, encouragement and advice during this difficult time. Unfortunately, Max gave up the fight Saturday morning around 11:30.



274
King Maximus "Max" Clark
10-22-2002 ~ 3-17-2007

[fuzzis]

Oh. I'm so sorry, citygirl.

:bhug:

fuzzis

[Southern_Belle]

oh citygirl. i am so sorry. here's a giant hug and kiss for you!

[Maggie-Doodle]

It has indeed been a sad week around here for some of our pet owners. Daisy also lost one of her kitties last week. We can be thankful for the time we shared with our furry friends and know they are now enjoying themselves in heaven...(YES, I believe our critters go to heaven) We can rejoice in the fact that they are no longer sick or suffering and that we will be able to see them again one day. Deepest sympathies to both Daisy and Citygirl on your losses...hugs and prayers to both of you!

[eyescene]

I am new here and was reading your heart breaking story...I am so sorry for your loss. I lost my 2 year old Schnauzer last year. So I know how u feel!!!

B...I...G ** H...U...G

[citygirl]

I am new here and was reading your heart breaking story...I am so sorry for your loss. I lost my 2 year old Schnauzer last year. So I know how u feel!!!

B...I...G ** H...U...G


Thank you. I had no idea that I would still be feeling his loss. But everytime I get ready to walk out the door, going some place he used to go with me, I miss him terribly. I still searching for another one, I just haven't found the right one yet.

[eyescene]

Hey I know how you feel. I said I would never ever get another dog nor love one as much as I did Pepper. But I did and I find myself comparing Tillie to Pepper. Till hubby said honey you know she ain't Pepper. Oh yell right. So we are starting over. Still Pepper was just the bestest lol dog ever...till Tillie came along. So maybe you will find just the right one...!! when you are ready !!!
Blessings!

Oh and last Dec. I found an angel Schnauzer. (trinket) It sits on my TV so I can see it every day. Something like that might help you too. There is a sad story behind Pepper and maybe one day I will tell it.

[Maggie-Doodle]

Come Aug. 15th it will be 17 years since I had my first WFT put down because she had a large growth (cancer) in her mouth and she could not eat or drink. I doubt there has been a week go by that at least 3 or 4 times during that week I havn't said something about her in a conversation.

We are always saying "remember when Pooh did this or Pooh did that?" etc. etc.. she was my heart and it has not gotten much easier even after all this time....I have had other wires and now I have BooBoo (a peke-apoo) but it just isn't the same! Some dogs are like some people, they just have a "special" place in your heart FOREVER! When something happens to BooBoo she will probably be in that catagory too!

[firefly]

My Heart goes out to y'all that have lost furbabies. The bad cat food got my beautiful Shammie kitty & I am just sick about it! He was only 6 months old & looked like a grown 1 year old cat! We had just spent $$$ big bucks to have him neutered, wormed, shots, ect. Cats go off to die & that is what he did & that @#$%! bad cat food got him! I have a 9 year old red smooth coat weenie dog & she is my 4 legged child. I would just curl up & die if anything happened to her!:smt086

[eyescene]

Oh Firefly how sad!! Heres a big hug for you!