Probably not getting the shelter dog - heartworm

[disneydreamersx4]

We are supposed to adopt a shelter dog but I was reading up on treatment and aftercare of heartworm and it looks like it could be too expensive for us to take this dog on. The rescue group is paying for the initial treatment for the heartworm but then I read that it takes a 2nd injection and then possibly may need to be re-treated again. The rescue group did not tell us about all the follow-up appointments the dog would need ($$$ vet bills)......It's too bad because we really wanted to get this lab mix doggie (1 - 2 years old)

 

[bballmom56]

Is it possible that the shelter will cover the cost? They will have to treat it anyway if you don't adopt the dog, so I don't think they would want to lose an adoptive family. Just talk to them very openly about it and see what the options are. Don't give up just yet!

 

[sunlver]

Ok, is it a dog from a shelter? Or is it a dog from a rescue group?

I volunteer with an all breeds doggie rescue group. All our dogs for adoptions are in foster homes. Many of the dogs who come to our group are heartworm positive. As a matter of fact the dog we adopted through them was, and we didnt have to pay a dime for the treatment. We paid our adoption fee, and the treatment was paid for by them.

Normally the dogs are given 2 injections for heartworm treatment, I think 24 hrs apart,normally they stay at vets office over night. Then once you get them home, they are suppose to remain fairly calm for a period of time. I am not sure I want to say 6-8 weeks. It is not a big deal expecially if u have no other dogs at home. The theory is that that went the heartworms are dying off they can get into the lungs if too much activity. In my 4 yrs experience with the doggie rescue, all our heartworm positive dogs have come through the treatment with flying colors. Yes, there is retesting to make sure the heartworms are gone.>Again, when we adopted our dog, all the bills having to do with the retesting for the initial heartworm treatment was paid for through the group.

Honestly, until you find out more information, u shouldnt give up on the dog so quickly.

 

[disneydreamersx4]

We are not comfortable taking the dog from this rescue group.....they want to treat the dog over two days, my vet recommends over two weeks.
Then there's the issue of keeping the dog calm for 6 weeks. It's a lab mix, tend to be on the active side.

 

[sunlver]

We are not comfortable taking the dog from this rescue group.....they want to treat the dog over two days, my vet recommends over two weeks.
Then there's the issue of keeping the dog calm for 6 weeks. It's a lab mix, tend to be on the active side.

Well you have to go with your gut then. All our foster dogs are treated in a 2 day/overnight treatment at a very reputable vet in the area, with no problems.
I am sure you will find a dog that is more suitable for you. I believe "if there's a will, there's a way"...I do believe you know when the right dog comes along, and there are so many homeless ones out there. Good luck with your search , either way, you will be saving a life.

 

[Dee & Greg]

But if you're already stressing about the cost of the pet, then do not adopt at this time. Even a healthy pet can get sick and need vet treatments... $$$$$.
Wait until you're more financially secure. It's best for you and the pet

 

[sunlver]

But if you're already stressing about the cost of the pet, then do not adopt at this time. Even a healthy pet can get sick and need vet treatments... $$$$$.
Wait until you're more financially secure. It's best for you and the pet

I can so relate to that. I own 3 dogs, and just when you think everything is going smoothly regarding the dogs..somebody ends up with some medical problem that requires treatment, and not always cheap.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

I can so relate to that. I own 3 dogs, and just when you think everything is going smoothly regarding the dogs..somebody ends up with some medical problem that requires treatment, and not always cheap.

My bestfriend is a vet, and she takes good care of us, but our dog needed dental surgery and the bill was over $800 and that was about 50% of the costs not charged.

 

[Jockaroo]

We are supposed to adopt a shelter dog but I was reading up on treatment and aftercare of heartworm and it looks like it could be too expensive for us to take this dog on. The rescue group is paying for the initial treatment for the heartworm but then I read that it takes a 2nd injection and then possibly may need to be re-treated again. The rescue group did not tell us about all the follow-up appointments the dog would need ($$$ vet bills)......It's too bad because we really wanted to get this lab mix doggie (1 - 2 years old)

You must go with your gut. A dog is a family member for life and if this doesn't feel like the right fit for any reason, don't get this dog. And don't let anyone make you feel guilty about the choice. I was approved for a rescue dog I was told was a purebred Scottish Terrier and we drove (round trip) almost 1,000 miles for this dog. The Scottie I was promised was brought out and was not a Scottie but a 50 pound bird dog mix. I asked all the questions I should have and was told the dog was 25 pounds and a pure bred Scottie. No way. This dog jumped up on me and her paws touched my shoulders. We could not make the life commitment to this dog and we did not take her, even after traveling a great distance. I wanted a Scottie and knew I would resent this dog. I also did not have the right place to excercise a dog this size. Go with your gut. The organization does not want this dog returned and go through another family.

Vet care can be very expensive, especially if you involve vet specialists. Given the dog's age he should be able to come through treatment without lasting side-effects. But it is obvious this dog was neglected--heartworm preventative is not expensive--so you need to wonder what else could come up in the future. Making the decision to get a dog includes vet care. It is good that you are questioning your finances before bringing home a sick dog. Don't let anyone make you feel bad if you chose to walk away. Good luck.

 

[HM]

We had a golden retriever that had heart worms (back when I was a kid). She was treated (really hard on her....and resting was her modis operandi for quite a while afterward). She only required monthy pills afterward. She lived to a nice old age, when she had to be put to sleep for other reasons. Just wanted you to know that many dogs handle the treatment and live a long time without problems.

I hope you find the right dog for you, if this isn't it. Good luck!

 

[Octoberbride03]

But if you're already stressing about the cost of the pet, then do not adopt at this time. Even a healthy pet can get sick and need vet treatments... $$$$$.
Wait until you're more financially secure. It's best for you and the pet

I don't think its the normal cost of the pet that concerns the OP. There's a chart in my Vet's office. Heartworm treatment routinely costs $1,500-2,000. That's prohibitive for many families including mine. The dog would in no way qualify for animal insurance because he's already tested positive.

Do we want to spend that money on something completely preventable? Heck NO That's why the $20 investment for the Heartguard preventive is a song for 6 months of treats.

 

[SunshineOR]

I once got a shelter dog thinking it was so great I was saving the at least $400-$500 I might spend buying a purebred puppy. I ended up spending $600 on that dog's initial medical treatments. Not heartworm, but had to get her spayed, treat kennel cough and a couple of other things I can't remember. Also, it was spendy for a while getting expensive dog foods to help her bulk up because she was so malnurished and underweight.

It was crazy and my vet after inspecting her wrote the Humane Society a nasty letter for giving me such a sick dog and told me to take her back, but I had fallen in love. Paid all the bills and loved her for the ten years I had her afterwards. I might consider rescuing another dog someday, but I won't be imagining it will be any cheaper than buying a purebred.

 

[DebbieB]

My aunt has a dog that had heartworm. A friend of hers actually hit him with the car, he was a stray, and took him to the vet. The vet discovered the heartworm. Probably someone turned him out when they found out he was sick. Anyway, he did recover and they decided to keep him. He's a great dog but he has digestive problems that are blamed on the heartworm.

 

[bballmom56]

I once got a shelter dog thinking it was so great I was saving the at least $400-$500 I might spend buying a purebred puppy. I ended up spending $600 on that dog's initial medical treatments. Not heartworm, but had to get her spayed, treat kennel cough and a couple of other things I can't remember. Also, it was spendy for a while getting expensive dog foods to help her bulk up because she was so malnurished and underweight.

It was crazy and my vet after inspecting her wrote the Humane Society a nasty letter for giving me such a sick dog and told me to take her back, but I had fallen in love. Paid all the bills and loved her for the ten years I had her afterwards. I might consider rescuing another dog someday, but I won't be imagining it will be any cheaper than buying a purebred.

I'm sorry you had such a tough time from the shelter. It is such a wonderful thing to save a life.

We have adopted three dogs through rescues. Two were purebred, one was a mutt. The mutt was BY FAR the best from every angle. The purebreds were sweet enough, but had skin issues, allergy issues, etc. After this one, I am done with purebreds. We have spent a small fortune on this one with premium dog foods, vet visits, meds, grooming, etc. Nothing seems to help. The mutt was a large breed mix and lived to the ripe old age of 15 1/2 eating grocery store dog food (Alpo, Gravy Train, Purina). But a rescue or shelter is the only way we would go.

 

[samshane]

I agree with the many of the others - you need to go with your gut on this. Especially going into this knowing there is a health problem. We adopted a cat that got deathly ill 3 months after we got him - I blame his previous owners for lying about his condition before they surrenders him to the shelter (this cat had this condition since birth and was 1 when they gave him up). We paid thousands on his medical conditions through the years - and he was a fantastic cat.

But, honestly, if I had known of his health problems before I adopted him, I don't know if I would've adopted him. I don't feel I am being a bad person - just realistic. But once we adopted him and bonded with him - there was no turning back for us. There are so many unwanted dogs and cats in rescues... it's so, so sad. Best of luck to you.