Blind Mitch, who came to us recently from a rescue group in Indiana, is back at the ranch from the vet hospital, still not neutered and with doctor's orders for very restricted activity. That's because the routine testing we do on new arrivals found that he has a bad case of heartworms. Our internal medicine specialist in Helena, Dr. Britt Culver, then did an echocardiogram to assess heart function, and learned that Mitch has a mild enlargement of his right atrium. He is not in right-sided heart failure, but we definitely needed to treat him for the heartworms.
Our primary care vet, Dr. Brenda Culver, put a sample of Mitch's blood on a slide and popped it under a microscope to show me what we were dealing with. There amongst the various cells was a tiny, thread-like, wriggling thing called a microfilariae, or baby heartworm. And it was indeed moving around, just like a worm. Ick. Brenda said, "Wherever Mitch has blood circulating in his body, he has those things, because they are swimming in his bloodstream."
We also found out that Mitch has a thyroid problem, so he will need to be on thyroid medication for the rest of his life.
But the first order of business was to start tackling the heartworm infestation, so Britt began the course of treatment at the clinic -- two doses, 24 hours apart, of a drug called melarsomine (brand name: Immiticide). Because it's possible to kill off too many adult heart worms all at once and have them clog up the pulmonary artery, where they live, dogs undergoing treatment need close monitoring immediately after the first couple of doses and then need to be on cage rest with very little activity for several weeks afterwards.
The heartworms put Mitch at risk for anesthesia, so his neutering will have to wait until he is heartworm-free.
(Speaking of which, we live in a heartworm-free area in our part of Montana.)
Needless to say, Mitch wasn't too happy about being confined, but he was very happy when I let him out this afternoon so I could get some photos!
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In Other Medical News ... The News Is Not Good
Our other vet at the clinic, Dr. Jennifer Rockwell, called Thursday night with alarming medical reports on our two old ladies who recently arrived, Duchess from California and Lady from Montana. Duchess had a complete blood panel last week before doing a dental, and the results were terrific. Still, I worried that given her age, something might be amiss, so earlier in the week I asked Jennifer to have Britt do a general abdominal ultrasound scan of Duchess, despite the blood work. (What happened to Dolly is haunting us.) Well, it turns out the ultrasound showed a mass on her spleen, which has a 50/50 chance of being malignant. But even if it were benign, it can still cause the spleen to rupture or bleed out, which would be fatal.
So Britt recommended we remove Duchess's spleen right away, and her operation is scheduled for tomorrow, Monday the 14th. Britt and Jennifer think that given her otherwise good health and sparkling blood work that she should come through the surgery just fine.
The news on Lady was much worse. She has a serious heart problem called mitral valve regurgitation, and is now on two different heart medications. But her liver enzymes were elevated, and Britt's ultrasound examination revealed nodules all over her liver, too -- just like Dolly's. Oh, no. Britt did a liver biopsy, and the results should be back early next week. But the prognosis is not good.
Please keep both of these girls in your thoughts.
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On A Happier Note ...
Etsy for Animals, a Web site where talented artists and craftspeople donate their work so the proceeds can go to animal welfare nonprofits, has picked the sanctuary as their Charity of the Month. Please check out the beautiful works of art on the site!
Mitch is such a handsome boy. I love reading about him. I have three Siberian Huskies myself, one of them blind with a heart condition.
I am sure it is hard to keep poor Mitch on limited activity. I know how active those huskies can be!!!
Your blogs are the highlight of my day. Thanks for all you do!
Posted by: Carisa | April 18, 2008 at 03:14 PM
All tho the news is not good I know RDR will do their very best to get all three in good health--that's all you can do. I can't even think of where they would be without the RDR!
Mitch I love your husky face!
Posted by: Shirley & James, Portland, OR | April 14, 2008 at 10:33 PM
My heart goes out for all 3 but especially for Mitch. His condition hits close to home. I adopted an Eskie from Eskie Rescuers United last Feb. He was about a year old, had been terribly abused and had a severe case of heartworms. Unfortunately he didn't survive the treatment and we let him go to the Rainbow Bridge on March 8, 2007. I think people just don't understand how dangerous heartworm treatment can be; that it can kill the dog. Some folks think the disease can be treated (and it can if caught early) so they don't give their dog the preventative. Heartworm treatment can also be painful and, like Mitch, Ghostie didn't like being confined to his crate. You are all in my prayers.
Posted by: Patty H | April 14, 2008 at 03:59 PM
Hey guys, we are holding your paws and hands.
All our love
Posted by: Lalla and Sasha | April 14, 2008 at 08:47 AM
One day at a time; one diagnosis at a time. It's not easy. My thoughts are with you and your beasties.
Posted by: Janet in Cambridge | April 14, 2008 at 07:58 AM
I will certainly keep Duchess and Lady in my thoughts and prayers, and Mitch, too, as he goes through his heartworm treatment (heartworm is endemic here in the Po valley of northern Italy, btw)!
Please keep us posted.
Posted by: Carla Polastro-Nigro | April 14, 2008 at 05:04 AM
If it doesn't rain it pours. The good news is Mitch can have treatment for heartworm even if he has to 'rest'.
Duchess and Lady are in deeper waters. We all know when we take the older ones, we hope they are in reasonable health, often we don't know until the symptoms manefest. I have Dolly who has a grade 5 heart murmur and lives with it, so please Steve and Alayne, I would like to offer you some hope!
These girls had nothing. Without you they had nothing. Now, they will receive love AND care. You have taken on the role of guardian for these two girls, and you are doing so admirably. I hope they have some time to know you care, to understand love at the Rolling Dog Ranch, and have a chance to enjoy their twilight time a little more.
Kae Norman
Rescued With Love
www.rescuedwithlove.org
Posted by: Kae | April 14, 2008 at 03:27 AM
oh no! such a lot of bad medical news to be hit with all at once.
as for Mitch, he is such a darling, and what a handsome guy - he looks like he just needs some loving. one of the dogs at the shelter where i volunteer recently came in with heartworm and terrible mange, and he has pulled through and he is one cute little Cobby! I am sure Mitch will be fine, and that you will be able to manage his heart and thyroid conditions; that is quite a lot of troubles for such a young fella, though. poor buddy.
I do hope Duchess makes it through her surgery all right, and as for Lady, she will be in my thoughts and prayers. Good for you for going the extra mile for these animals, and finding out what the problems are - I certainly hope they all turn out to be fixable, but when the end does come, at least Lady, Duchess, (and Mitch) had someone who cared and loved them when it was their time. Thank you so much.
Posted by: maggie | April 13, 2008 at 10:21 PM
Mitch, Dutchess and Lady all are in my thoughts.
Posted by: yoonamaniac | April 13, 2008 at 09:25 PM
Get better Mitch! Such a handsome guy. I'd give him a home in a heartbeat. If it wasn't for my two guys.
Duchess things will be alright soon. Chin up.
Lady is so special, I'm glad you guys are there to give her help and hope.
BTW how is Creighton doing?
Posted by: Craig from Great Falls | April 13, 2008 at 08:56 PM
One more comment I can't resist making: Mitch, boy, you have the sweetest face It reminds me of a teddy bear.
Posted by: Moon Rani | April 13, 2008 at 08:34 PM
Poor Duchess and Lady (they sound like aristocracy with those names, don't they?)! Here are my wishes for the very best in their future, and the same for Mitch. I look forward to reading happy news for all. Hugs to all at RDR.
Posted by: Moon Rani | April 13, 2008 at 08:28 PM
I'm so sorry to hear the bad news about Mitch, Duchess (I always think of her as Granny) and Lady. Lady looks like such a sweet dog; I sure would like to see her get a chance to live several years at Rolling Dog. I hope the best for Mitch and Granny too. Please know that Toby, Annie, Lucy (doxies) and I are pulling for these 3 fur kids of yours.
Posted by: Julie | April 13, 2008 at 08:24 PM