[shelby's mom]

Can someone help me? My beautiful, black lab, Shelby, was diagnosed with heartworms. The vet told me that her bloodwork showed a lot of baby heartworms So, I scheduled for her first treatment. The first treatment was to attack the baby heartworms. Since that treatment, she's had very shallow, rapid breathing....almost what it would be like if I brought her in from a walk on a hot day...and she's doing this ALL the time. I took her back to the vet and now she's been given steroids to help. I've been told that she should return to normal soon. Has anyone ever seen or heard of this happening to a dog after microfilaria treatment? Please help!

[shelby's mom]

Dear MGM,

Thanks so much for your input. I was given strict instructions to keep her calm and rested.n She's beginning to eat more, but her breathing is still quick and shallow. My vet has called often to check on her. I've been researching heartworm treatment online. It does seem horrendous...I wish there was a way for the worms to exit her system, as opposed to dissolving in the system. I have some serious thinking to do before continuing with the treatment. Thank you for your concerns and please keep my Shelby in your prayers. Thanks again!

Shelby's Mom

[shelby's mom]

Dear MGM

I just read over my message again. It may have sounded like I was taking her for walks on hot days. What I meant to say was that her breathing mimicked what she would be breathing like IF I had taken her on a walk on a hot day. My apologies- I meant to say that she was breathing like that ALL the time...not going for walks on hot days all the time. Thanks again for your concern.

Shelby's Mom

[BobSD]

After reading your post, you never said if you had your dog on a preventive H.W. program or not? Just for others that read this will learn, and maybe you can save others from going through this pain full ordeal. I did not give my dogs the preventive treatment during the winter months. After reading this I sure will!! Even though, I live in cold country, right now our biggest problem is the West Nile Virus, which affects humans and horses, not dogs. I strongly feel your dog will recover!

[shelby's mom]

Thanks to everyone for their thoughtful comments and concerns for my dear Shelby! She is doing soooo much better! It took her a full week before returning to her normal self! My husband and I did not have her on a heartworm preventative To all those who do not have their pet on heartworm preventative, please do so a.s.a.p. and don't miss a treatment!!! Treating heartworms is quite difficult for your pet. It was so sad seeing Shelby go through that.

We will do her next phase of treatments in about a month or so. I'm pretty nervous because this treatment will attack the adult heartworms in her heart. We'll have a chest X-ray done to see how far progressed they are. Please remember to pray for Shelby during this time. The first treatment was very hard on her...and that was treatment for baby heartworms. Her recovery will probably take longer with the adult heartworm treatment.

And actually, before going on to the adult heartworm treatment, we are having her spayed. We don't want any possibility of dangerous infections or diseases with her reproductive system. I spoke with Shelby's vet about the risks of having her spayed, since she still has adult heartworms. He feels that we should have this done first, since the initial heartworm treatment was so hard on her. So again, I ask for your prayers.

Thanks again to all of you...it so wonderful knowing that there are people all over this country who are genuinly caring people!

Shelby's Mom