I'm not sure if I told anyone this but Toby had been heart worm positive when he was taken in by Florida Dachshund Rescue. He went through the treatments and tolerated them as well as can be expected. This was just two months ago.
Last Friday he started coughing uncontrollably and projectile vomiting. During the night his heart started to race and his breathing was a little labored. It continued to get worse through the night and I took him to the vets on Saturday morning.
He still has a lot of antigens in his blood and his lungs are full of the dead heartworms. This is not altogether unusual as the body has to force the dead worms out and it is difficult. On top of that they may have grown in his lungs as well. We don't know much because the vets office where he was fostered was in New Orleans and we cannot get any records. The worst thing though is that until Saturday I had NO idea that a pup who has been high-positive is not supposed to do ANYTHING strenuous at all for the first few months after treatment. Play causes his blood pressure to go up and that is the WORST thing for a pup recuperating from heartworm. Not knowing this (and because he seemed healthy and strong and was eating really well) I let him play and romp and swim and everything that dachsies like to do. His body finally said "enough!" and broke down. The vet told me all of this on Saturday and said that he assumed I knew about the inactivity factor. I feel as if this is completely my fault and it is breaking my heart.
This morning he was worse. Couldn't walk well and his stool was bloody....what little stool there was. It was mostly blood and mucus. He is now at the vets and they are checking in with me every hour or so to let me know how he is doing. He is being given IV fluids and something to get his heartbeat regulated and oxygen to help his lungs.
Our vet said that it is best that I do not see him today as he is afraid that Toby will get very excited to see me and it will raise his blood pressure.
So I guess I just wanted everyone to know what is going on. Please say a prayer for my sweet boy. He really needs it right now.
Lots of mega rays comeing from the Texas Four. Don't blame yourself. If you weren't told not to let him play, how could you have known. We will keep you and Toby in our thoughts and prayers. Plese keep us posted. :comfort:
Oh Terri - I am so sorry. Sending rays and prayers for sweet Toby. I don't know anything about heartworms - so I wouldn't have known about the playing either - please don't blame yourself. They should have made sure you understood all about what he could deal with. Please keep us posted throughout the next days - we are here with you and rooting for Toby to feel better. What a horrible disease -
Hugs to you mom -
Sending rays for Toby to pull through this. What a horrible thing for both of you to go through.
Terri - I'm so sorry. I'm just sick to my stomach thinking of what you and Toby are going through! We are certainly sending lots of hugs and prayers.
...from Colorado. Please don't blame yourself; the vet should have given you specific instructions during treatment. From what I have just gone through with the vets, some of them are really lacking .....Kleine and I are keeping Toby in our thoughts.
Ray going out to Toby. Many people don't realize that heartworm treatment is a dangerous period, because most good dog owners will never deal with it. Prevention is so cheap and so easy to do with a monthly pill, so most people have never had a dog with heartworm. Keep us updated!
I just spoke with the Toby's vet. He is resting comfortably right now and they are keeping him a little bit sedated. He will need to stay there for a few days until we can get him stabalized.
I want desperately to go and see him but the doctor really thinks it could be bad for him because he will be sad when I leave and right now he just needs to rest and keep his blood pressure down so that his body can do what it is supposed to do.
It's just so difficult to not be able to comfort him. Dr. Marshall said he will give him plenty of kisses and he said that he is a little fighter. He is breathing a little bit better for now and his fever is down a bit so that is encouraging.
I guess I never realized what an absolute horror this heartworm can be for a little pupper. What makes it even worse is that the cure is as horrible as the disease!
Thanks for all of your support....I cannot tell you how much it helps. I'll keep you all updated!
This breaks my heart and has brought tears to my eyes -- please know that we send our love and prayers your way -- Bev, Mercedes and Beemer
Lots of rays for Toby.
Terri,
Our prayers are with you & Toby.
You can't blame yourself.
I'm upset that your vet just assumed you
knew & then laid the blame on you. wow
Your love & care for Toby will pull him through
& I know you'll both be better when you can see him.
Keep us updated & we'll keep praying for him.
LisaW
Oh, the poor little guy. I will keep him in my prayers. Don't beat yourself up over this, you didn't know. Sounds like he is in the best place right now, where they can keep an eye on him. I'm sure you are very worried, but we are all here to help you through it.
prayers and hugs. He is at least getting help, something he would not have got in his previous life.
RAys accoming
How could you have known? The vet that treated Toby should have been responsible enough to give you aftercare instructions. Do I need to say - don't return to that vet? Rays and prayers coming for little Toby. Please keep us up to date.
Oh Terri, my heart is breaking for you. I am glad you got Toby in with the vet and he is resting. I wish you had received more instructions when you got him, but I know it was very stressful when then turned him over with the hurricane and everything. Let me know if you need anything. I am just across the bridge.
I am very sorry for you and Toby. We are sending many :pray:'s and :sunny:'s your way! I know about the rest period after heartworm treatment, I've had rescue's that were treated. But I was told they needed complete rest for 4 to 8 weeks, then only moderate exercise for another 4 weeks! You couldn't have know this, it is not your fault. I guess with the hurricane his foster home forgot to fully inform you and when you took him to your vet, he should have told you!
Any doctor, vet, kid or otherwise should never ASSUME, we as the general public know anything and they should fully explain. I am so sorry!
Usually rescue won't place a dog after heartworm treatment, until the rest period is over. Maybe the impending storm forced them to release the dog early!
You are a wonderful doglet mommy, I pray he will be fine! He is still better off than if he would have been drowned or left to starve in New Orleans! He knows he is loved and he'll come home and love you guys back!
Rays
(http://tcwozere.co.uk/smileys/fairy.gif)to poor Toby.
This sure is a reminder for all of us to keep up with the heartworm preventative.
Huggs from
Thanks Julie. I was going to email you today but between the calls to the vet and trying to work it's been crazy. There is a bit of good news though. The vomiting has stopped and his fever is back down. I am hoping and praying that this continues through the night. I haven't had much sleep since this started on Friday but knowing that he is comfortable eases my mind a bit. The doctor was "cautiously optimistic" so that is something to hold on to. Poor baby boy. He has been through so much.
Things were so nuts when we got him. They were hurrying to get the puppers out of New Orleans and thank God they did.... I can't blame anyone here because sometimes things just happen I guess. Like I said, I mainly blame myself for not doing more research on the aftercare but I honestly thought that once a dog had been treated they are fine. Evidently it is a long process and his disease was quite advanced. Right now all I really care about is getting him home and well. I'll let you know how he is doing in the morning.
How TERRIBLE! Praying for Toby and sending tons of rays your way. Come on Toby! Be TUFF!
Dear Terri
You are all in our prayers here in Australia. Please remember to take care of yourself and get some sleep. Toby needs you well rested and strong for WHEN HE COMES HOME!
Don't blame yourself - without you, who knows what would have happened to him - he is in a WONDERFUL home now with all the love and TLC a pupper could want.
Take care and pls keep us posted.
Mega Dachsie rays and prayers headed out to Toby and the whole family. I sure hope he is able to make a full and speedy recovery.