If you’ve owned dogs for any period of time, the word “heartworm” is familiar to you. As responsible pet owners, we take every precaution to keep our loved pets from getting heartworms. Still, sometimes, no matter what you do, your dog ends up with the dreaded “heartworm positive” diagnosis.
Background:
I first saw JoLee, a Catahoula/Lab mix (we call him either a “Catador” or a “Labrahoula”), while browsing on Petfinder. I called the East Baton Rouge Animal Shelter just to get additional information about him, and when I hung up the phone I realized I’d just adopted a puppy 950 miles away without ever even meeting him. I made the 16½ hour drive from Nebraska to Baton Rouge, Louisiana on September 9, 2010.
As I carefully held my new little bundle of fur for the first time that next morning, the veterinary assistant who had just brought him out from surgery told me that JoLee had a variety of different worms and bacteria endemic to the area, and handed me several bottles of prescription medications with detailed instructions.
Of course, as soon as I got back to Nebraska, I took little Jo to my vet for a general exam. At that time I was told that Jo was too young to have heartworms, so we didn’t need to test him for them; but when he got to be 6 months old, I should start put him on heartworm preventative. I did just that.
I am sobbing at the computer right now. Oh, how I love those babies. And I am so grateful to have been a part of the miracle that is Jolee. What a wonderful blog, turned out fantabulous, info and pics and all. Way to go, Lisa! I hope everyone reads your story and takes as good of care of their 'kids' as you do yours. Bless you, Fairy Dogmother!
ReplyDeleteAnd thank you, Colleen, for your patience and kindness - not only did JoLee need you, I did, too!
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