Happy News and Final Heartworm Report

Monday November 16, 2015

Lakota had her final checkup for heartworms yesterday, and I am happy to report that she is heartworm free!  She is a happy and healthy dog.  I really knew this was going to be the case, even before she had the blood test to confirm there were no more heartworms.  She is energetic, eats well, and acts like a normal dog.

Looking back, I am diasppointed in the three different veterinary practices that did not catch the heartworms.  After she was diagnosed, I did a lot of research and realized that each of the veterinarians we took her to should have known to check her for heartworms, despite having had a negative heartworm test at the age of 9 months.  According to the American Heartworm Society (https://www.heartwormsociety.org/pet-owner-resources/heartworm-basics),

• "Puppies under 7 months of age can be started on heartworm prevention without a heartworm test (it takes at least 6 months for a dog to test positive after it has been infected), but should be tested 6 months after your initial visit, tested again 6 months later and yearly after that to ensure they are heartworm-free."

The two regular veterinary practices failed to test again 6 months after the initial visit, which could have prevented Lakota from heartworm disease progression.  We brought her to these vets with symptoms consistent with heartworms.  She had a cough, was not eating well, and had lost weight.  She also would cough or make a funny noise (wheeze?) when we walked her.  I explained all of these symptoms to each vet at the two different practices.  In addition, the emergency vet (the third vet/practice) we took her to during off hours also failed to test her.  They just gave her antibiotics for an upper respiratory infection.  Lesson learned.  Just like with humans, you need to be your own canine healthcare advocate by researching from legitimate sources and speaking up.

HEARTWORM TREATMENT COSTS:

2/15/15 $208
2/22/15 $175
4/15/15 $176
4/15/15 $85 for Heartguard
5/14/15 $176
11/15/15 $63
______________

        $883

To anyone just beginning this heartworm journey, I wish you the best.  It is not an easy one.  In the end, I am very thankful to now have a healthy and happy dog!

Lakota, at 2 years.  A happy and healthy (and spoiled!) dog.

Thanks for reading my blog.  All the best to you and your furry companions.