Lakota Heartworm Treatment Update Week 2 Post Injection

Wednesday will be 2 weeks since Lakota's first Melarsomine injection.  She doing ok.  She spits up or vomits every day, and has lost her appetite.  I have to add treats and rice to her food to get her to eat, but it doesn't always work.  She is not coughing or gagging like I have heard will happen, but she is also not quite herself.  She still has hyper moments, like when I was walking her in our backyard, and our other dog, Bandit, saw something and took off running.  She tried with all her might to run with him.  She squirmed to get out of her collar, but then looked at me and sat down.  I was shocked that I didn't have to tell her no.  I don't know if she realized she wasn't up to running, or she figured there was no fighting me against the leash, but I am glad she stopped and sat down.

I feel so badly for Lakota.  She is so bored.  I try to change the rooms we stay in throughout the day (if I am home), and sit outside with her on the back patio so she has some outside time.  It is getting really hot out, so this is mostly done at night.  Bandit isn't exactly thrilled to be locked in rooms, either.  They are both used to having the run of the house all day.  They can't look out the front door or sleep on their favorite couch.  I know it is temporary, but I can't help feel badly.  My husband and I take a walk each night, and really miss having the dogs with us.  Neighbors know our dogs, and are always asking why they aren't walking with us.  I then have to explain the whole heartworm explanation, and find most people have no idea that treatment includes strict exercise restriction.   Maybe I should just refer them to this blog!

I have been doing some research about heartworm prevalence.  Lakota was a stray puppy picked up at the age of about 7 months in Floyd County, Georgia.  This is where she had to have been infected, given the date we adopted her, the amount of time it took for the heartworm test to become positive, and the fact that we never missed a dose of heartworm preventative.  The prevalence of heartworms in that county is very high, at 1 in every 28 dogs.  In Orange County, FL where we live, the prevalence is 1 in every 79 dogs.  We moved here from Rockland County, NY.  The prevalence of heartworms there is 1 in 242 dogs.  The United States as a whole averages 1 in 73 dogs infected with heartworms, with the highest rates in the southeast.  What is most interesting about the maps is that every state has heartworms, and every state has varying degrees of infection (as color coded on the maps).  It is interesting to see the differences in prevalence around the country.  To check out where you live, click the link below:

http://www.capcvet.org/parasite-prevalence-maps

Lakota's 2nd and 3rd injection dates have changed to Thursday May 14 and Friday May 15, 2015.  I will update whenever there is any change with Lakota.  For now, she is resting comfortably in her bed.

4/27/15

Until next time, 

Lakota's Mom

Three days post-injection and doing really well

It has now been 3 days since Lakota' first Melarsomine injection.  She is doing surprisingly well.  The biggest challenge is keeping her still.  She wants to run outside with Bandit, chase lizards, and be normal.  Unfortunately, this is not an option.  We walk her in our fenced-in back yard on a short leash just long enough to go to the bathroom.  I feel like she is a shackled prisoner.  She is extremely bored.  I have been giving her a Kong with peanut butter in it and occasional dental bones.  I don't want her to get an upset stomach, so I need to limit these food-based toys.  I can't give her other toys she likes because she runs around with them.  So for now, she will have to be a bored puppy.  She does gag from time-to-time, and has spit up a couple of times, and I am guessing that will get worse once the heartworms start dying off.  Overall, I am very pleased with how she is doing.  I will update when there are any changes.

One more thing.  Total costs so far are now at $644:

For now,
Lakota's Mom

Lakota playing with her Kong 4/18/15

Lakota has her first Melarsomine injection

Wednesday April 15, 2015

Today, Lakota had her first Melarsomine injection.  We were warned that this would likely make her very weak and tired, and will also begin her extreme exercise restriction.  My husband dropped Lakota off at the vet at 8:00 am this morning, and I picked her up at 4:00 pm.  To my shock, when the vet brought her to me, she was happy, hyper, and wagging her tail.  It is going to be really hard to keep her calm and quiet.  I walked her to the car and before I could scoop her up, she jumped right in.  I was worried I wouldn't be able to pick her up.  I guess I don't have to worry anymore.

Driving home, she was her normal car-loving self, looking out the window, excited, and enjoying the ride.  Thank goodness I had her in her doggie seatbelt, or she would have been jumping around the car.  When we got home, I let her jump out of the car, but walked her on a short leash for just a minute so she could go to the bathroom.  As soon as we got into the house, she greeted our other dog, Bandit, like she wanted to play.  I should note that Bandit does not like to be alone, so he was very happy to see her.  My daughter had come home earlier and told me Bandit was whining and going crazy when she came home because he was so lonely.

Now that we have been home for a couple of hours, I am noticing that Lakota is definitely feeling the effects of the injection.  She is very restless, and keeps re-positioning herself.  She has always been a "moaner," but she is moaning a lot more than usual, making me think she is uncomfortable and possibly in pain.  The vet gave her pain medication earlier, (Carprofen) and her next dose is not until tomorrow morning.  She is starting to get tired, and is sleeping on the couch.  She also needed assistance in getting up onto the couch.  I am guessing that the injection site is starting to feel sore.  Three weeks ago, I cut my finger and needed a tetanus shot.  It didn't hurt at all until the next day, when my arm was very sore at the injection site.  I am guessing that Lakota's injection site (deep in the muscle of her lower back), is starting to get sore just like an injection we would have.

I fed both dogs together like I normally do tonight, but Lakota would not eat.  Well, she ate the dog treat I put on top of her food to entice her, but left her regular food.  I might make her some burger or chicken with rice if I can't get her to eat later.

I will update in a day or two as her treatment progresses.  I have a feeling this is the calm before the storm.  For now, I am thankful and relieved that she is doing pretty well.  Hopefully the days to come will be just as positive.

Until next time,
Lakota's Mom

Lakota resting peacefully at home 4/15/15