Luna's HW treatment

[AgileOllie10]

Is NOT going well. She had her first shot on Monday and since then, has only eaten one good meal. Right now, though, she is chomping on a turkey neck, so that will get some good protein in her. She's already lost weight. The coughing has begun. That tells me the worms have begun to die. She is on STRICT crate rest so they don't migrate into her lungs. I'm so worried for that sweet baby girl. I know she's going to be ok, but still. She's wiggled her way right into my heart, so to see her in pain hurts me. I'm sure a few prayers won't hurt. I will keep everyone posted as her treatment progresses.

[Wendy M]

You certainly have my prayers and positive thoughts for Luna, and for you too! It is so difficult to see them go through the HW treatment...and I know that Luna (previously Chesney) was high HW positive, so she is battling hard for her health.

Please, everyone, keep this sweet young rescued dog in you prayers as her treatment progresses!

Thanks for keeping us up to date with what is happening with her...

-Wendy M.

[Nellies Dad]

Mojo coming from Ohio. I really hope all goes well for Luna.

[ajones]

Keeping Luna in our thoughts here, too...Johnson hit a bad patch partway through his HW treatment, so I have some sense of how you're feeling as she struggles. Hope she begins to rebound soon!

[AgileOllie10]

Thanks, everyone. It's been a long week. I know she's going to be ok. It just hurts to see her in so much discomfort. I can't imagine how she must be feeling. It irks me to think that her previous owners are sleeping soundly in their beds while she and I are up every hour getting through a coughing and hacking spell. Seriously ticks.me.OFF.

[PSmitty]

Good thoughts and prayers headed out for Luna.

[crazy cat lady]

Last year I posted about a dog, Chella, I adopted for my Dad who turned out to be high HW positive. My vet said PTS, she would never survive Immiticide tx. I suggested doxycycline and Heartguard route. Tried that for several months but she began coughing up blood. Took her to cardiologist and he said even though there had been some damage to go for the Immiticide. She had already been on very restricted activity and leash walked for potty breaks, so that was already part of her routine. I decided not to crate her because she was/is so quiet in the house I thought the crate would just agitate her unnecessarily. The injections were quite painful to her and she needed three of them. I was always so very worried about her. One night in December, about two weeks into the tx., on another potty break with her on leash, I saw the biggest and brightest shooting star I had ever seen. I know this sounds so corny, even to me, but knew right then she was going to be fine, she would pull though all of it. I gave her a big hug of relief for the both of us. I really think she sensed the difference in me. She had two more inj.s to go, but I did not dread taking her to vet those times. It was a long, long process and I was still very careful to look for any signs that might need immediate attention, but Chella did just fine. The "motto " for the shelter she came from is " No one will ever love you like a dog who was once abandoned!", and that certainly seems to be true in her case. She surely isn't the smartest dog, but is one of the most loving dogs I have ever had. My Dad never really got to see her much. He is now in assisted living facility and cannot understand the story about Chella. She is doing very well now and is here to stay at my house.

I know you are so worried about Luna, it is difficult to see the poor dog in so much pain. I have watched her thread since she was first posted in shelter. She is a beautiful girl and you are wonderful to give her the care that she needs. You and Luna will be in my thoughts, I am hoping for the very best for you!

[kgunther]

Thoughts and prayers from me as well. Luna is lucky to have you and I am sure that, with you by her side, she will have the strength to get through this. Thank you so much for loving her, being there for her, and having the courage that her former owners clearly did not.

Kristy

[AgileOllie10]

Thank you all so much for your words of support. It's 9pm here and the house is quiet, so Luna and I (and the rest of the gang) are hanging out relaxing. She's doing better- still coughing, but her Dr put her on a higher dose of steroids. I do see a difference already. Every time she coughs, she looks up at me, so pitifully, but all the while wagging her tail. I've put DOZENS of dachshunds through HW treatment. I've seen the good and the bad. But for some reason, this time is much MUCH different, emotionally, for me.

The next thing I want to say, truly, from the heart, is THANK YOU to everyone who has donated to her care. I don't know how I would've been able to do it myself. So many rescues are full and unable to fund that sort of treatment. Her estimate is about 400.00 and that doesn't include the vetting that was done to her before I even got her. That also doesn't include the spay, but I feel the least I can do is cover that myself. I sort of chuckle when I think about it- her owners didn't care more about her than to stick her in a dirty pig pen, and not even give her the basic of basic care, but here we all are, virtual strangers to her and her previous owners (and to each other!) who have pulled together to 1) save her life from certain death at AC and 2) save her life again from certain death from HW.

I know that most of you haven't had the privilege of meeting Luna, but let me tell you. Despite what her previous owners thought, she is worth all of this and more. So thank you all SO much for giving me this chance to have a part in saving this precious life!


Tonya Betancourt

[Wendy M]

Hi Tonya-
How is Luna doing with her HW treatment? She has been on my mind lately...and I just wanted to check in about her progress!

-Wendy M.

[AgileOllie10]

Thanks for thinking of her! Luna is not handling the treatment well. She's lost almost 5 pounds and just feels like dirt. She just had her second set of shots. She's on crate rest for the next 4 weeks and then she's ready to go up for adoption. She'll have to be tested again in 6 months, but she'll start her Heartgard on Oct 15th.
Though she is having a hard time, she's going to make it. She's proven to be VERY strong. I hope I can find the perfect home for her. She is absolutely perfect herself.

[crazy cat lady]

Is Luna's crate rest period almost up? How is she doing? I've been thinking about her..

[AgileOllie10]

Is Luna's crate rest period almost up? How is she doing? I've been thinking about her..

Luna is done with her treatment and crate rest! She is a real spit-fire and is looking for a home of her own. She is AWESOME!!! She has to be tested in 6 months. She's about to be spayed. She just came into heat, so as soon as she's done, we'll get her spayed and she'll be ready to go!

[ajones]

Really glad to hear this positive update on Luna!

Thanks again for all you've done for her to get her back to health. Sounds like whoever adopts her is going to get an enthusiastic gem.

[Wendy M]

LUCKY LUCKY Luna to have landed with you and your family to foster her through the HW treatment! Sounds like she has a bit more vetting to be done, and will be ready to dazzle a new family in a forever home.

What a great update to get...THANK YOU.

-Wendy M.