I feel like I just keep getting punched in the face over and over.I took Bob to the vet this morning for his annual checkup and shots. He was a couple of months overdue, and this was our first visit with a new vet.
The vet kept going on and on about what a good-looking dog he is, coat was in good shape, ears were perfectly clear, teeth were pearly white, no fecal parasites.
Unfortunately, an hour after we left the vet called to tell me that Bob had tested positive for heartworm. He can't tell how extensive it is without an x-ray and additional bloodwork. And he warned that treatment would be pretty expensive--about $1000 because he is such a large dog.
Bob tested negative for heartworm at his last vet appointment a little over a year ago, and was on a heartworm preventative. Unfortunately, we were not so great about giving him the heartworm preventative every month. So it's basically my fault that Bob has this serious and expensive-to-treat condition.
I'm just about at the end of my rope. I'm not sure I can handle any more emotional or financial hits.
5 comments:
I'm so sorry. Our lab Rosie had heartworm when we adopted her. She was already on the medication, which was rough on her as the dog has to be completely immobile for a certain number of weeks, but as soon as she was done with the treatment she was 100% healthy and ready to go. I'm sorry you, Bob, and your wallet have to go through it.
That's terrible! I thought there was a vaccine for it or something? We don't give our dog a preventative medication each month, I thought our vet deals with all that at yearly checkups. I guess I need to check into all that. Ugh. That sucks about the cost. Maybe your vet will be willing to give you a discount if you mention you recently lost your job?
Oh, no. I hope it isn't too extensive (or expensive) and that Bob makes it through OK. God knows I was always awful about being regular with the meds, so I could have been in your shoes any number of years. I am so sorry. :(
Thanks, ladies. I found a couple of low-cost vet clinics in my area that offer heartworm treatment, so I will give them a call tomorrow. Their costs are substantially lower than the quote the my vet gave, although I don't know if the price lists they have online are comprehensive.
Proto, I did not know this, but heartworm is passed by mosquitoes. I guess the risk is lower if you are in a part of the country with a low mosquito population. But the only preventative that I am aware of is the pill. (Haha, my dog's on the pill!) I will be all over a vaccine if it is available.
My biggest concern is what LL mentioned--Bob will have to be inactive for at least a month during treatment. Bob is a 2 year old black lab--he doesn't do inactive! He also hates, hates, hates being caged. We bought a chain-link outdoor kennel for when lawn service comes, and SuperBob literally ripped it apart to get out.
Oh, how horrible. :( You definitely win the most sucky life circumstances contest. My friend has been going through this with her dog and it is miserable but worth it for her precious pet. Hope you can find a super-cheap option.
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