Dog Lovers need opinions/help

[okie joe]

I have me a very sick dog, my puppy Charlie, he was looking pretty bad and took him to vet. Bad news Heartworms bad. Short of breath and just no get up and go. Givung him meds with lill relief Hes 7 years old and good dog but I don't want him to suffer either. Has anyone ever combat these worms with any sucess is my question? :( :cry:

[bowhunter]

Have not had to fight heart worm but I do fell for you bro . What does the vet say. Keep you in my prayers
Dan




LET IT BURN

[talas]

okie joe im sure something can be done,my wife is part of a dog rescue and has treated dogs/cats/horses for years ill see what she says when she gets up in the morning..for now all the best to yourself and charlie

[okie joe]

Have not had to fight heart worm but I do fell for you bro . What does the vet say. Keep you in my prayers
Dan




LET IT BURN

Thanks Dan. The vet said didn't have much of a chance since his age of 7 years. The hard part of the treatment is you kill the larva off then you start on the adult worms in the heart and when they start to die its like lil floatie things in the blood stream and can plug alot of things up. This is too include kidneys, liver and so forth so it just dont look good for charlie. His breathing is real shallow at times but he just lays around and thats not charlie. It makes me really sad and its like just trying to keep him comfortable.

[okie joe]

okie joe im sure something can be done,my wife is part of a dog rescue and has treated dogs/cats/horses for years ill see what she says when she gets up in the morning..for now all the best to yourself and charlie

Thanks talas I just don't know but thank you very much for your concern I really appreciate it.

[DevilDuck]

That's a tough one. Heartworms don't play.

Even though I live in a fairly arid climate, I always give my dog "Advantage" because you never know when some stray mosquito might come by carrying that dreaded disease.

I feel for you, though. I had to put down my best buddy a few years ago. He had several fused vertebrae and could hardly walk. It was painful, but putting him down was best for him. It was much harder to watch him try to walk, turn his head around, and growl at his back because of the pain.

[HotPeppersFlyFishing]

Joe
I will be giving Gunner an extra treat tonight for Charlie and I will think special thoughts for You and Charlie. I hope the little fellow pulls through.
Tom

[quick_draw]

Mate I am very sorry to hear about your dog, I have 2, but never come by heart worm, I wish I could be of more help, but my heart goes out to you mate.

QD

[chilehunter]

sad to about your dog.
the cost to treat would be alot & putting the dog through more suffering, if it was me I'd put the dog to sleep & just get another dog (puppy)

[okie joe]

Charlie is doing ALOT better than a couple days ago. I wanted to say THANK YOU all that was thinking about my puppy and your prayers (and Prayers do work). He still lazy but I can put up with that, just not his suffering I won't put up with. I talked to the family and they understand that if it comes to it I will put him down. Matter of fact last night he even barked that was the first in 4 days and that was a great relief like he was saying I am still here and I will let you know about it. Again thank you for the vent time and the consideration. :)

[Pepperfreak]

Joe, my prayers are with ya...I would have posted earlier but wanted to check me facts first...

I have a friend who rescued a boxer from the pound that was severely abused/neglected. She had a terrible bout of Heart Worms along with being malnourished and other ailments. He said that when he rescued her, she was nothing but skin and bones.

Well, he has a happy story...I just asked him last night how his dog was doing and he gladly reported that all of the heart worms are gone and she has put on all of the weight that she is suppose to. He said that she is now energetic and a happy dog.

I do not know what the treatments that she had to undergo were, but they worked...

I have put down cats, dogs and horses before and I know just how hard a decision that is. I think that if your Vet thinks that the treatments will work, I'd say go for it. It sucks loosing a 4 legged family member, just my 2-cents...

[okie joe]

Joe, my prayers are with ya...I would have posted earlier but wanted to check me facts first...

I have a friend who rescued a boxer from the pound that was severely abused/neglected. She had a terrible bout of Heart Worms along with being malnourished and other ailments. He said that when he rescued her, she was nothing but skin and bones.

Well, he has a happy story...I just asked him last night how his dog was doing and he gladly reported that all of the heart worms are gone and she has put on all of the weight that she is suppose to. He said that she is now energetic and a happy dog.

I do not know what the treatments that she had to undergo were, but they worked...

I have put down cats, dogs and horses before and I know just how hard a decision that is. I think that if your Vet thinks that the treatments will work, I'd say go for it. It sucks loosing a 4 legged family member, just my 2-cents...

Thanks Paul we are going to wait it out and see what happens. And hey thanks for the two cents preciate it Joe

[ring sting]

Hey Joe,

I hope your dog recovers. I dont know much about heart worm other than it is real bad, and prevention is the way to go. It's good to know what PepperFreak said about his mate's boxer, and that it can be overcome.
My (atheist) thoughts are with you and your dog.

RS

[talas]

okie joe thats fantastic news that he seems brighter and all be hoping he gets better day by day..my wife sends you and charlie her love and says the best medicine is love,support and friends ;)

[rainbowberry]

I'm praying Charlie will be OK, I know I moan about my dog but God if anything happened to him I'd be devastated. I've been checking this post over and over again. Lets hope that bark gets bigger and louder Okie Joe.

[talas]

okie joe hows charlie my friend ?

[okie joe]

Its not looking good all. :( With the heat and all hes having a hard time. The family is taking a trip this weekend and if hes no better I will put him down. Its hard to say that but I don't believe in suffering either. I always said I would never get attached to an animal but he special and best dog I have own since I was young. He is so dedicated to the family and never and I mean never raised a lip or even a growl. Even after one of the neighbor brats was caught kixing him.( Kid not allowed in the yard anymore) But thats the update sorry for the bad news all. Thank You for the help. joe

[DevilDuck]

Hey Joe. Try putting a fan in front of him where he likes to lay down. My Chow-Chow loves a nice fan in the summer. It might make him a little more comfortable.

[HotPeppersFlyFishing]

Joe
So sorry to hear this. I was really thinking good thoughts about Charlie and for him to pull through. If it helps any when we lost Boomer this past January at 9 yrs of age the vet told us (no sense in telling the long story) well you can treat him
with steroids etc etc but he probably would be in pain we decided it was best to let him go.Even though I have my new pup Gunner I still very much miss Boomer and I am not 100% over it yet. So I feel for you man and I hope Charlies pulls through still but you are 100% right when you say you dont want him to suffer so you can rest a little easier knowing it is for the best.
Tom

[talas]

joe theres something to be said about these dogs..they become our friends and just like our kids to.im really saddened by the news,its understandable that you dont want charlie in any pain and its hard to see a dog suffer in front of yourself & the family but watch him and see if hes fighting back against the symptoms..some dogs take time to react to the drugs and in this case the drug is a strong one so the immune system takes time to cope with the drug & the condition,ive seen many dogs and horses fight back from the last with invisitations of this type and its always worth giving them the opportunity to fight,of course he will no and tell if its gone to far and with that we send our love and hope to you and yours and off course charlie.

teri/talas wife.

[AlabamaJack]

My heart is heavy for Charlie and the OJ clan. OJ, I am sure you will do what is best for Charlie. Prayers abound in the AJ household and Roscoe sends his love.

[Poisonette]

I had a dog survive heartworms and parvo. Most vets I've met never have a positive outlook on the big health problems. I finally found one that will battle almost anything.
Anyway, Harley was 9 when he had heartworms. I left him at the vets for 4 days so he could get around the clock care. It was the some of the best $600 I spent.
He lived to be 13 and for his size, that was great.

[rainbowberry]

Thank you for that Poisonette, lets hope Charlie's in with a good chance.

[Pepperfreak]

Okie Joe, my prayers are with you and Charlie...Hope he pulls through and you don't have to make the difficult decision.

[okie joe]

Thank you all for your prayers and hope. Charlie did not improve and was really having a hard time. He is in a alot better place now no more suffering and pain. It broke my heart but life isn't fair all the time and there is things that you must do that you don't care for. For I thank the man upstairs for the blessing of having Charlie he was definitely a fantastic dog and surely will be missed.

[Omri]

Thank you all for your prayers and hope. Charlie did not improve and was really having a hard time. He is in a alot better place now no more suffering and pain. It broke my heart but life isn't fair all the time and there is things that you must do that you don't care for. For I thank the man upstairs for the blessing of having Charlie he was definitely a fantastic dog and surely will be missed.
I'm so sorry for your lost.

[talas]

im really sorry to hear that joe, yourself and your family will be in my thoughts..its never easy losing a friend.

[chilehunter]

sorry to hear, but it was for the better for charlie. now get another puppy to replace charlie.

[okie joe]

Thanks all . Its going to be hard to find another Charlie but the family wants one also. See I got Charlie from a friend and was wanting to find another one but I like to get a German Sheppard, I had one when I was a kid and he definitely was a great dog. Don't know just have to wait and see

[AlabamaJack]

Sorry to hear about Charlie OJ...my condolences...

Ever heard of a "Treein' Walker" (Hound)...?

[pepperfever]

So sorry to hear about your loss, it's hard to let one of our four legged family members go but as you said he's not in pain now. Give yourself time to grieve and enjoy the one you find to share your life in the future.

Jackie

[HotPeppersFlyFishing]

Joe
So sorry to hear this.My thoughts go out to You and
your Family.
Tom

[HotPeppersFlyFishing]

Okie Joe
when I lost Boomer this past January someone
sent me this ecard. Its very sad but in the long
run it helped me with the healing process. I know
You and your Family are going through a tough time
I still miss Boomer a ton but I can now watch this
knowing I will see him again and smile.But only watch this
when you think you are ready
my thoughts to you and your family
Tom
http://www.indigo.org/rainbowbridge_ver2.html

[Daisy7117]

Okie Joe, My condolences, so sorry to hear about your dog Charlie...I have gone through this 4 times and it is never easy....they become such a part of our lives. A friend of mine sent me this a while back when I lost my dog Sandy, a golden retriever who I had for almost 15 years...it gave me alot of comfort:

The Journey
When you bring a pet into your life, you begin a journey. A
journey that will bring you more love and devotion than you have ever known, yet will also test your strength and courage. If you allow, the journey will teach you many things, about life, about yourself, and most of all, about love. You will come away changed forever, for one soul cannot touch another without leaving its mark.
Along the way, you will learn much about savoring life's simple
pleasures -- jumping in leaves, snoozing in the sun, the joys of
puddles, and even the satisfaction of a good scratch behind the ears.If you spend much time outside, you will be taught how to truly experience every element, for no rock, leaf, or log will go unexamined, no rustling bush will be overlooked, and even the very air will be inhaled,pondered, and noted as being full of valuable information. Your pace may be slower, except when heading home to the food dish, but you will become a better naturalist, having been taught by an expert in the field. Too many times we hike on automatic pilot, our goal being to complete the trail rather than enjoy the journey. We miss the
details: the colorful mushrooms on the rotting log, the honeycomb in the old maple snag, the hawk feather caught on a twig. Once we walk as a dog does, we discover a whole new world. We stop; we browse the landscape, we kick over leaves, peek in tree holes, look up, down, all around. And we learn what any dog knows that nature has created a marvelously complex world that is full of surprises, that each cycle of the seasons bring ever changing wonders, each day an essence all its own, each day a gift from God. Even from indoors you will find yourself more attuned to the world around you. You will find yourself watching: summer insects collecting on a screen; how bizarre they are; how many kinds there are or noting the flick and flash of fireflies through the dark. You will stop to observe the swirling dance of windblown leaves, or sniff the air after a rain. It does not matter that there is no objective in this;
the point is in the doing, in not letting life's most important details slip by. You will find yourself doing silly things that your pet-lessfriends might not understand: spending thirty minutes in the grocery aisle looking for the cat food brand your feline must have, buying dog birthday treats, or driving around the block an extra time because your pet enjoys the ride. You will roll in the snow, wrestle with chewier toys, bounce little rubber balls till your eyes cross, and even run around the house trailing your bathrobe tie with a cat in hot pursuit, all in the name of love .
Your house will become muddier and hairier. You will wear less
dark clothing and buy more lint rollers. You may find dog biscuits in your pocket or purse, and feel the need to explain that an old plastic shopping bag adorns your living room rug because your cat loves the crinkly sound. You will learn the true measure of love. The steadfast, undying kind that says, "It doesn't matter where we are or what we do, or how life treats us as long as we are together." Respect this always. It is the most precious gift any living soul can give another. You will not find it often among the human race. And you will learn humility. The look in my dog's eyes often made me feel ashamed. Such joy and love at my presence. She saw not some flawed human who could be cross and stubborn, moody or rude, but only her wonderful companion. Or maybe she saw those things and dismissed them
as mere human foibles, not worth considering, and so chose to love me anyway.
If you pay attention and learn well, when the journey is done,
you will be not just a better person, but the person your pet always knew you to be. The one they were proud to call beloved friend.
I must caution you that this journey is not without pain. Like
all paths of true love, the pain is part of loving. For as surely as the sun sets, one day your dear animal companion will follow a trail you cannot yet go down. And you will have to find the strength and love to let them go. A pet's time on earth is far too short, especially for those that love them. We borrow them, really, just for a while, and during these brief years they are generous enough to give us all their love, every inch of their spirit and heart, until one day there is nothing
left. The cat that only yesterday was a kitten is all too soon old and frail and sleeping in the sun. The young pup of boundless energy now wakes up stiff and lame, the muzzle gone to gray. Deep down we somehow always knew that this journey would end. We knew that if we gave our hearts they would be broken. But give them wemust for it is all they ask in return. When the time comes, and the road curves ahead to a place we cannot see, we give one final gift and let them run on ahead, young and whole once more. "God speed, good friend," we say, until our journey comes full circle and our paths cross again.
And bless their souls for sharing their lives with us... and
adding so much to our very existence
Author Unknown...
Life is short, Break the rules, Forgive quickly, Kiss slowly, Love
truly, Laugh uncontrollably...Never regret anything that made you
smile.

[okie joe]

Thank You Tom and Daisey. That was really swell I really liked the card it was what I have been telling the kids.