lynno62
Maple Lake Minnesota
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Richard
![[emoticon]](http://www.coastresorts.com/sharedcontent/cfb/images/biggrin.gif "biggrin") oh happy day![[emoticon]](http://www.coastresorts.com/sharedcontent/cfb/images/smile.gif "smile")
That is the best news ever. Thanks for the update.
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Luizianna
South Louisiana
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Joined: 06/22/2004
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Dixie..got the pics and card...thank you. Yes, the love you feel for O.F. is quite apparent in your postings. I know you love your other pets also, but there is a bond between you and O.F. that cannot be explained. Just enjoy.
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TTBeachBum
Landlocked!!!!!!!!! :O
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Joined: 07/13/2004
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Dixie Flyer wrote:Just got back from the vet and it is a good news, bad news thing. The bad news is he still has some heart worms that survived the treatment. The good news is that Dr. Gradous thinks this one last treatment will get rid of those that are left and he will be in no danger as this round of drugs is not as strong as the last.
He has to have a lot of sugar today as this dose will lower his energy level, so he gets Honey Buns for the rest of the day. I wonder if I could get a recommendation like that from my doctor? Anyway, it looks as if Old Fella is out of the woods and will live a long healthy life. I take him back one week from today to get his clean bill of health. Oh my how I love that dog!
Wonderful news. Your first line had me gasp, though. I am so glad that the heartworm treatments are effective. Good Work! I love the bond that you and O.F. have. It is awesome. Once again, thank you for all that have done for this sweet senior canine. I agree may he never spend a cold, damp night outside every again and may he enjoy his retirement.
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webfam414
SC , USA
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[quote=TTBeachBumWonderful news. Your first line had me gasp, though. I am so glad that the heartworm treatments are effective. Good Work! I love the bond that you and O.F. have. It is awesome. Once again, thank you for all that have done for this sweet senior canine. I agree may he never spend a cold, damp night outside every again and may he enjoy his retirement.[/quote]
A big second here. I am so happy to hear this good news. God bless you for taking such good care of Old Fella.
Note: Due to invalid formatting, all formatting has been ignored.
P & J ">
2 crazy kids (ages 4 1/2 & 7)">
Hunter-our "not so" Miniature Schnauzer
2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Crew Cab Z85 towing package
2005 Trail Cruiser 30QBSS
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Camper Carl
Van Nuys, Calif.
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Quote: This morning was the first real cool snap of the fall season. We left the heat off and it got down to 58 degrees in the house this morning. Old Fella was curled up in a knot on his bed so comfortable and I thought to myself, old boy you will never have to spend another cold and miserable night outside again for the rest your life. I wonder what it was like for him in the winter time when it would rain and turn cold? I wonder how many more Old Fella's are out there waiting for someone?
Richard,
This is what make you a true hero in my book. We have been having some rain here in sunny So. California the last 2 days. Last night Pattie and I were just talking about Old Fella and what he would be doing on a rainy night.
You know the old saying for every action there is a re-action. Your action of saving Old Fella life has the re-action of the unconditional love that Old Fella is giving back to you.
Good job Richard. May God blessings be with you always
Carl
If you think nobody cares if you're alive, try missing a couple of
payments on your RV.
2007 campouts: 2
Days: 6
Miles Towed: 475
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Paolo's pack
Ottawa (Ontario)
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DF & OF
I wish you both a long and happy life together.
And I hope that by spreading the news about you two, we can make the same thing happen again where it is needed.
Regine
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leftnoright
SO CA, USA
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Dixie Flyer wrote:This morning was the first real cool snap of the fall season. We left the heat off and it got down to 58 degrees in the house this morning. Old Fella was curled up in a knot on his bed so comfortable and I thought to myself, old boy you will never have to spend another cold and miserable night outside again for the rest your life. I wonder what it was like for him in the winter time when it would rain and turn cold? I wonder how many more Old Fella's are out there waiting for someone?
Yes, don't you just wonder how hard it was for him to survive - the cold and the wet and not having enough to eat, never knowing if he would get a handout or a boot. I'm so thankful all is working out for him and your family and your other pets.
Linda(poster)
Fred (the innocent husband)
Jordan (Shih-Poo Rescue)
Mitzi (Pom now with Rainbow Division)
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Dixie Flyer
Piedmont, SC 29673
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Paolo's pack wrote:DF & OF
I wish you both a long and happy life together.
And I hope that by spreading the news about you two, we can make the same thing happen again where it is needed.
Regine
I believe this rally in Branson, Missouri will go a long ways to that end. When folks get to meet Old Fella and see what was left for junk turned out to be the Crown Jewel of them all there will be less strays hanging around unwanted. If there is a message here it is this. The people of this forum have the love, determination, and imagination to make dreams come true.
2016 Ford F250 King Ranch Crew Cab 6.7 Power Stroke
2015 Montana Model 3611 with 4400 Pullrite Hitch.
Wife Sue
Pets: Rainbow Bridge: Bart, Old Fella, Levi, Charlie, Mama, Hobo, Izzie, Peaches. Others Suzie, Dixie.
Old Fella Burke County Animal Rescue
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campingshadow
Waskom, Texas
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Just a bit about heartworms. The vet is saying he can give a clean bill of health next week? I find this confusing and here is why. Since I just rescued Heidi from a shelter and she had a "severe" case of heartworms, I have been thru this and feel I have gathered some knowledge on the subject. I did some internet research as well.
With heartworms, the vet tests the dog and is able to show you how strongly positive the dog is testing on a meter. If the meter lights up on the right, it is a mild case, if it lights on the left it is severe. To treat a dog with severe heartworms requires that the dog stay at the vet for at least 2 days and gets two very painful shots in the back. Because of the painful shots the dog is sedated. Then it needs to be watched carefully for reactions and must be kept as quiet as possible for a minimum of 30 days after treatment. Then they go BACK for another shot but this time are allowed to go home at the end of the day. Still, it is recommended that the dogs activities be restrained for a few more weeks.
The reason for requiring full bed rest is the fact that the adult heartworms are 6 inches long and do live in the heart. They have microscopic babies that go thru the blood stream and are taken up by mosquitos and passed on by biting other dogs. The babies make their way to the heart and take up resdience in the new dog. The treatment kills the adult worms and then they begin to break up into pieces. As these pieces start to go thru the bloodstream they can cause blood clots and if one goes to the lungs they can kill the dog. Exercise makes the heart beat faster and can speed up large chunks of heartworms thru the system.
The shot a month after the first treatment is to try and kill any adults that were missed from the first treatment. Monthly does of Heartgard will catch any that are left. BUT...and this is the important part......for at LEAST 6 more months the dog will continue to test positive for heartworms!!!!!! Therefore, no vet can tell you the dog is heartworm free after just a month!!!! Till all the adults are completely gone, the dog will still test positive.
Heidi made it thru her treatment with flying colors. But my vet will not even think of testing her till her 6 months are up. He tells me it is a guarantee that she will test positive till then.
Unless your vet used a different kind of treatment (there are only two and one is no longer being used by most vets), or Old Fella tested VERY light for heartworms in the first place in which the second treatment would most likely not be necessary, I find it interesting that he is ready to give a clean bill of health diagnosis just one week after a second treatment!!!
I an sure Old Fella is on the road to recovery, and I am very happy that he is recovering so well. Maybe when you go back you can ask him about how he tests and confirms the dog is free of worms so fast. He is an older vet, maybe he knows something that my vet doesn't. I am just curious as I would love to not have to wait that 6 months to know that Heidi is free of those pests.
It is likely that Old Fella had a very mild case of heartworms and therefore was able to get by on a reduced treatment plan. If so, he was a lucky pooch...living outside all that time would have exposed him to many a mosquito!!!!! Old Fella has truly been living under a lucky star lately. I am so glad he found you!!!!!
Shadow and LD
Angel. 15 lb Toy Fox Terrier
2001 Damon Intruder. 349. Class A
Semi-retired and loving it!!!!
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CatandJim
Tulsa, as in Oklahoma
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Joined: 08/23/2004
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Quote: I wonder what it was like for him in the winter time when it would rain and turn cold? I wonder how many more Old Fella's are out there waiting for someone?
__________________________________________
Having rescued two dogs right off the mean streets of Dallas, Texas and three cats from the same kind of life as a "stray" I can understand exactly what you are saying here Richard. It is so sad to think of my beloved pet's previous "life", it breaks my heart. I guess that is why I have enjoyed the story of this wonderful dog being saved and given a chance to thrive rather than exist.
If only everyone were responsible pet owners and made sure their pet was spayed or neutered there would be so many fewer strays out there scared, cold or sweltering in the heat while slowly starving. Too many unhappy endings that is for sure but the happy ones are worth celebrating!
I am glad to hear his latest vet visit turned out to be an optimistic one.
I am still trying to plan to attend the rally...... I am hoping we can join y'all. I can't think of a better way to spend the weekend, surrounded by pet loving folks!
Cat
(Jim just reads the forum once in a while)
Our toys:
2003 Damon Ultrasport 3873
(picture on profile)
Boat = ProCraft Fish & Ski
Working our way toward retirement...wishing it was soon.
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