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#Post#: 333304--------------------------------------------------
Re: Lena has heartworm and seizures
By: Skowronek Date: July 4, 2025, 1:06 pm
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[quote author=Aardtacha link=topic=3600.msg330384#msg330384
date=1750438310]
[quote author=Lurknomore link=topic=3600.msg330271#msg330271
date=1750392080]
Aw, poor Lena. Seizures are always scary.
How old is she and what kind of dog? All my best canine mojo to
you and to Lena. 💕
[/quote]
She's 1/2 doberman, some lab and some other doggo. She looks
like a black lab, while her sister looks more like a Rhodesian
ridgeback (although it doesn't show up in her DNA, but the color
and the funky ridge of hair growing the wrong way are there).
They are just shy of 4 1/2 years old, having been born just
before Christmas in 2020.
[/quote]
Labradors are a breed where seizures are not as uncommon as we
would like. High fat food is a trigger for some. Not saying you
would knowingly let her do so, but something to keep tucked
away.
#Post#: 333315--------------------------------------------------
Re: Lena has heartworm and seizures
By: Aardtacha Date: July 4, 2025, 2:26 pm
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Thanks for the information. She eats her dog food and pill
pockets -- neither pup is interested in "people" food other than
watching us eat it. They are very firmly kept from the cat food
because on the dog side of the house the cats are fed the very
expensive prescription diet, and no way I'm letting a rando eat
that stuff. Not at $72/smallish bag. Regular cat food is on
the side of the house dogs aren't invited into.
#Post#: 335209--------------------------------------------------
Re: Lena has heartworm and seizures
By: Aardtacha Date: July 15, 2025, 9:21 am
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Dropped the girl off for her first injection this morning. Had
to leave her there, so they also have her anti-seizure meds.
She's not had a seizure since the terrifying day of three, but I
am concerned about them getting her meds into her on the right
times.
At least that wretched shoulder wound has healed up. Mostly.
#Post#: 335414--------------------------------------------------
Re: Lena has heartworm and seizures
By: Aardtacha Date: July 16, 2025, 10:13 am
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Lena is home! Despite the whole "don't let her be active and
keep her calm and on cage rest" she nearly pulled my arm off
once we got her out of the car in the driveway. I was afraid
she'd trigger another seizure, but she was fine. She is now
sitting looking woebegone in her kennel away from her sister so
the pair don't try to wrestle.
Bess had been wandering around the house and yard looking for
her sister, so the first thing she did when Lena came through
the door is growl at her.
It's going to be a loooooong couple of months trying to keep her
calm. We've already decided that when Lena needs to go out on a
potty break Bess has to be leashed as well so they don't try to
play. Bess has already had some practice because of the sewer
replacement, but this being on a leash in our own backyard thing
is going to be new (and frustrating) for Lena.
#Post#: 336137--------------------------------------------------
Re: Lena has heartworm and seizures
By: Aardtacha Date: July 20, 2025, 11:56 am
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In from potty break #312 for Lena, AKA Day 4 of 60. I mentioned
to our friend in England that Tiny Bladder Girl needed to go out
again during our weekly chat and he said that was a terrible
nickname for a dog.
It is, however, apt.
We're going to cut her down to only a few trips out each day,
because to be honest, I think she's just bored and she's
supposed to be staying calm (ha!) and quiet (double ha!) lest
the dead heartworms dislodge in big clumps? Something like
that. I have laid in a stock of whelping pads lest her bladder
be even tinier than we think. The heavy sighs and soft whimpers
start about 5 minutes from when she last came in. We'll see who
cracks first, Lena or us.
#Post#: 336139--------------------------------------------------
Re: Lena has heartworm and seizures
By: MidwestmikkiJ Date: July 20, 2025, 12:02 pm
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Now I know why she has to stay calm. I wondered.
So what happens to the heart worms? Does her body dissolve
them?
#Post#: 336150--------------------------------------------------
Re: Lena has heartworm and seizures
By: Aardtacha Date: July 20, 2025, 3:02 pm
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Presumably her immune system is destroying the foreign particles
(dead worms) slowly over this time. Or they're filtered out of
her bloodstream and passed out with waste material somehow.
That bit isn't really explained, but the Melarsomine kills the
adult worms. So the first injection killed the worms she
already had, and the next two shots will kill any that hatched
out after the initial treatment. Apparently they won't be able
to produce any more eggs after that second dose, so in theory
her regular heartworm preventative should do her after this.
I know they can travel to her lungs, so maybe she coughs them up
and swallows them if they travel to her pharynx.
#Post#: 336161--------------------------------------------------
Re: Lena has heartworm and seizures
By: acl-ny Date: July 20, 2025, 5:13 pm
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Had to look it up!
“Dead heartworms in dogs are broken down and absorbed by the
body rather than being passed out through feces like intestinal
worms. The dog's immune system gradually eliminates the dead
worms, a process that can take several months. During this time,
fragments of the dead worms circulate in the bloodstream and can
potentially cause complications, particularly in the lungs.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
Heartworms die and decompose:
After melarsomine injection (the most common treatment), the
adult heartworms die within a few days. They then begin to break
down and decompose.
Circulation and potential complications:
The fragments of dead worms are carried through the bloodstream,
eventually reaching the lungs. In the lungs, they can lodge in
small blood vessels and cause inflammation or blockages.
Body absorbs the fragments:
Over time, the body's immune system reabsorbs and eliminates the
worm fragments. This process is gradual and can take several
weeks to months.
Importance of rest:
Keeping the dog inactive during this period is crucial.
Increased activity raises blood pressure, which can push the
worm fragments into smaller vessels and increase the risk of
complications like blockages or inflammation in the lungs.”
#Post#: 340597--------------------------------------------------
Re: Lena has heartworm and seizures
By: Aardtacha Date: August 11, 2025, 10:22 pm
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The Bopper goes in for the second round of shots tomorrow
morning. One night away from home was hard enough for Bess;
goodness knows how she will deal with her sister being missing
two days (and nights) in a row.
Hopefully this will take care of the heartworm and we'll only
have 4 more weeks of forced rest to deal with.
Crap. Just reread the treatment plan and we have another 6-8
weeks of cage rest and restricted activity. Poor Lena. And
poor Bess. And poor Tacha clan.
Argh!
#Post#: 340634--------------------------------------------------
Re: Lena has heartworm and seizures
By: animaniactoo Date: August 12, 2025, 7:54 am
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Peace and recovery mojo!
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