randibear
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11290
posted
my friend who has lyme has an opportunity to get this beautiful shepherd dog. it's sick, tho and positive for heartworm. very skinny and will need a vet's care.
she wants this dog so bad but is afraid that with her having lyme she cna't be around for the treatment for heartworm whic i believe is shots.
the poor dog will go through a lot.
but the question is: should people with lyme disease be around animals who have parasites like heartworm?
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
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glm1111
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 16556
posted
Absofreakinlutely NOT!!!!!!!!!
-------------------- PARASITES/WORMS ARE NOW RECOGNIZED AS THE NUMBER 1 CO-INFECTION IN LYME DISEASE BY ILADS* Posts: 6418 | From philadelphia pa | Registered: Jul 2008
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GiGi
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 259
posted
Talking Parasite treatment: If one in the family is treated, the whole family has to be treated. If pets are in the family, they should all be treated at the same time. Without that, getting rid of parasites in the household is not possible. The infections will be just passed around back and forth. Per Dr. K.
Posts: 9834 | From Washington State | Registered: Oct 2000
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randibear
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11290
posted
but she can't get heartworm from a dog can she? and if the dog is being treated it would be ok wouldn't it?
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
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susank
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 22150
posted
I don't see the connection between Heartworms and humans. Humans don't get heartworms do they?
I adopted a HW positive shepherd years ago. We opted for the "new" "slow kill" treatment. No injections. No vet stay.
My Heidi dog was instead given Heartworm meds like any other dog. She was given a low dose of Pred in case of problems. We had none.
Months later she was HW neg. No restricted play. Only cost for treatment was the few Pred pills - and the HW pills monthly just like a neg. dog.
Has the dog been tested for other parasites? If found - could that be treated - and the dog ok then for your friend?! (being mindful of ticks always - of course).
-------------------- Pos.Bb culture 2012 Labcorp - no bands ever Igenex - Neg. 4 times With overall bands: IGM 18,28,41,66 IND: 23-25,34,39 IGG 41,58 IND: 39 Bart H IGG 40 Posts: 1613 | From Texas | Registered: Aug 2009
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posted
I would say absolutely not because I hear that most dogs do not survive the heartworms or heartworm treatment.
It would be hard on the family to get attached and then have the dog die - not to mention the expense of the heartworm treatment. I hear it is not cheap.
-------------------- Dx with Lyme & homozygous for MTHFR. Antibiotics & nutritional IV's didn't help. Posts: 57 | From Kansas | Registered: Jun 2010
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susank
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 22150
posted
The "slow kill" method is cheap.
And as I understand it less risky.
I wish it were the same for LD.
-------------------- Pos.Bb culture 2012 Labcorp - no bands ever Igenex - Neg. 4 times With overall bands: IGM 18,28,41,66 IND: 23-25,34,39 IGG 41,58 IND: 39 Bart H IGG 40 Posts: 1613 | From Texas | Registered: Aug 2009
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Tammy N.
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 26835
posted
If it has heartworms...may also have other bugs/parasites. I'd steer clear. Plus, the emotional attachment, like NanaB said. Who needs all the trouble, when already dealing with this monster illness??
Posts: 2238 | From East Coast | Registered: Jul 2010
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posted
As much as you want this dog ... let it go. Most do not survive the treatment. It is vary expensive (with no garantee) and vary hard on the animal and the people who love it. I am so sorry.
Posts: 12 | From TN | Registered: Oct 2010
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randibear
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11290
posted
well she's got plenty of money so it wouldn't be a problem. but i told her no, let it go, she would end up heartbroken if it died.
i'm still grieving over my baby and it's been about 3 years.
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
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posted
It is not true that most dogs do not survive heartworm treatment. As a former vet tech, they can survive if they are caught in time and treated. There is always a chance that the dog may not survive the treatment. No guarantees.
I take rescue dogs in when ever I can and wouldn't hesitate to take a heartworm positive dog. As far as I know, this is not transmittable to humans. Save the poor baby if you can. Every animal deserves to be loved.
-------------------- Faithful
Just sharing my experience, I am not a doctor. Posts: 2682 | From Colorado | Registered: Oct 2009
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randibear
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11290
posted
i just talked to her. apparently she's already made up her mind.
one look at those doggie eyes and those turned down ears and she was a goner.
poor baby is so thin tho. looks to be a beautiful shepherd.
and she does need something to love. sometimes love is all it takes..
and heaven knows we lyme patients don't get enough of that..
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
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posted
We fostered a dog with heartworm, and he lived.
The dog was a german shepherd mix, and he didn't act very sick during treatment, except for some coughing. I remember just having to keep him quiet.
Posts: 964 | From san diego | Registered: Oct 2009
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posted
I am fostering a dog right now that has been treated for heartworm. He is on restricted activity for 4-6 weeks then he will be fine. Actually he is fine now but we just need to be extra careful.
Most dogs died when they used absolute poisons for treatment of the heartworms. They don't use that anymore, at least no vet should be. They treat with doxy and immiticide - one shot in the back and usually a month and a half of doxy which renders the heartworms (should any survive the shot) sterile so they can't reproduce.
Also the slow kill method is by just using monthly ivermectin which kills the baby worms in the bloodstream over time. This is the same stuff as the monthly heartworm preventative. This stuff also kills roundworms and lots of other parasites at the same time.
Honestly, dogs survive and live great long lives afterwards as long as they aren't late in life or have other problems. This dog had BOTH Lyme and heartworms and he is doing absolutely wonderfully. Next week we will have had him 5 weeks.
HW can't be given to humans via dog kisses or anything like that.
Nice to see fellow foster parents 777 and Baileypup! . This dog is an American Foxhound, we believe he is purebred. Was found as a stray and we cannot believe that no one claimed him. Absolutely gorgeous and really smart dog.
-------------------- Country Mouse
6/2011 IgX: IGG: 31 IND, 41+++, 45+, 58+ IGM: 31+, 39 IND, 41 IND, 83-93 IND Band 31 confirmed to be Lyme epitope by Igenex 7/2011
8/2011 IgX: POSITIVE IGG: 31+, 34 IND, 39 IND, 41++, 45+, 58+ IGM: 31+, 34 IND, 39 IND, 41++, 83-93+ Posts: 169 | From Western Mass | Registered: May 2011
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posted
My dogs are saving my life right now. Being so sick, they love on me all day. It does get difficult when they want to be out all the time and I am dragging my butt in pain.
I always seem to pick the special dogs with wires crossed in their brain. My lab just turned 10 years old and is so spry for her age. We give her supplements to help her be healthy. She won't go up and down stairs unless you walk with her.
So her legs work fine, she just has a few loose screws, and has to have someone with her when she comes up those stairs but she is the best dog.
One of my rescues is what we call our ADD dog. She was so abused before I adopted her that she is petrified of everything. Moving furniture freaks her out. She thinks the new object is coming after her.
Also, she has to walk behind me when I let her out. I believe that is just in case she feels the need to retreat. She is the most goofy loving dog we have ever had. Love all my babies!
-------------------- Faithful
Just sharing my experience, I am not a doctor. Posts: 2682 | From Colorado | Registered: Oct 2009
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posted
I read that "60 minutes" did a special on children in a family that died mysteriously. After an autopsy, they found heart worms. Their pets had heart worms.
Something to think about.
Posts: 182 | From North Carolina | Registered: Apr 2011
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lymielauren28
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 13742
posted
I think she should absolutely get the dog. It's not true that most dogs don't survive heartworm - most dogs do. I think we as Lyme sufferers restrict ourselves waaaay too much as it is and that's really no way to live.
I would say the benefits of owning a dog (companionship, unconditional love, walking, etc) far outweigh the risks. She should go for it. Just my two cents;)
-------------------- "The only way out is through" Posts: 1434 | From mississippi | Registered: Nov 2007
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quote:Originally posted by ItsMyTurn: I read that "60 minutes" did a special on children in a family that died mysteriously. After an autopsy, they found heart worms. Their pets had heart worms.
Something to think about.
You CANNOT catch heartworms from your dog!
Heartworms are only transmitted by mosquitoes. Rarely humans get them but they would be catching them from bugs not dogs. Hypothetically if a mosquito bit a dog with heartworm then bit you, you might get it that way. But that is reported to be exceptionally rare and only a theory at this point. And if humans are infected they do not end up in the heart but in the lung.
How is the dog doing? My foster dog just got the news yesterday that there are no heartworms in his bloodstream so his treatment was a success! Hoping it is the same with your friend's dog
-------------------- Country Mouse
6/2011 IgX: IGG: 31 IND, 41+++, 45+, 58+ IGM: 31+, 39 IND, 41 IND, 83-93 IND Band 31 confirmed to be Lyme epitope by Igenex 7/2011
8/2011 IgX: POSITIVE IGG: 31+, 34 IND, 39 IND, 41++, 45+, 58+ IGM: 31+, 34 IND, 39 IND, 41++, 83-93+ Posts: 169 | From Western Mass | Registered: May 2011
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nefferdun
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 20157
posted
I hate it when people make hysterical conclusions. Most parasites are species specific. People don't get heart worms.
The thing to consider about getting him is if she can handle another sickness in addition to her own. Only she can answer that. I love animals. They are comforting to me. I couldn't live without them.
In 2010 I had two dogs, two cats and a horse all die within six months. I was very sick with lyme but I got through it. They were such a pleasure to my life, I have no regrets - just wish they lived longer. In this case the dog will probably recover just fine and become the most grateful loyal and loving creature you can imagine.
-------------------- old joke: idiopathic means the patient is pathological and the the doctor is an idiot Posts: 4676 | From western Montana | Registered: Apr 2009
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nefferdun
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 20157
posted
Q: Can people get heartworms from their dogs?
A: It can only be passed on by mosquitoes. It�s a specific parasite that only affects dogs and cats and ferrets and other mammals. In rare cases, heartworms have infected people, but it does not complete its life cycle. The heartworm will migrate to the lung and cause a round lesion that looks like a tumor. But these are very rare cases.
-------------------- old joke: idiopathic means the patient is pathological and the the doctor is an idiot Posts: 4676 | From western Montana | Registered: Apr 2009
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merrygirl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 12041
posted
Didnt read every response but i was a tech 12 years
Yes treatment can be hard and very expensive. But it is NOT true most die.. thats riduculous.
They get im injections and you keep them quiet.
People do.not fet heartworms from dogs. I would say the animal was likely neglected and could have parasites.
The vet should test for tbi, and intestunal stuff.
All easily treated in dogs. heartworm is easily prevented with once a month med.
Now i know we are all very sick. But it makes me sad that some of you feel so angry and worried that you are afraid of animals. Animals can be the best medicine.
I am also disapointed in the misinformation presented. If you are not 100% sure about something, dont post. Or post something like i heard dogs can die from heartworm treatment. Not, "all dogs die from it" the end... its simply not true
Posts: 3905 | From USA | Registered: May 2007
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merrygirl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 12041
posted
Sorry for typos..on phone. T
Posts: 3905 | From USA | Registered: May 2007
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Have your dogs ears checked. She might have an ear infection. I have a friend whose lab did the same thing. The dog had double ear infections and showed no signs.
They put him on antibiotics. It cleared the infection. Now the dog goes up and own stairs-no problem.
Just a suggestion.
-------------------- diagnosed with MS, 1988-Diagnosed with Lyme Disease 2009. Also babesia and bartonella. Currently not on antibiotics. Taking Metalloclear for high lead and mercury since October 2012. Rifing since June 2012 Posts: 148 | From usa NH | Registered: Mar 2009
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linky123
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 19974
posted
Our dog got them after I missed just one or two months of his monthly preventative. It cost $700 to treat him. We had to walk him on a leash every time he had to go - for two months - running can kill them. We kept him in a kennel the rest of the time.
He is part greyhound and would always try to trot around on the leash. But he made it through.
Ten days after the first shot was a critical time, I think the die-off is hard on them; we thought we we were going to lose him.
After Katrina, the vet said a lot of the dogs brought north from New Orleans had them, and they were spreading like wildfire through our area - lots of mosquitos here.
She has to be willing to do all of the above and give him/her monthly preventative, which isn't cheap, religiously. I haven't missed a dose in four years.
It was worth it for us; he was our first pet and I have never seen a more loyal dog. He is still with us and except for some arthritis, and is no worse for the wear.
Our vet said also, to buy the heartworm preventative from him or a legitimate vet; he would match any price we saw online. He said some of the online stuff is expired, not the real thing etc.
-------------------- 'Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.' Matthew 11:28 Posts: 2607 | From Hooterville | Registered: Apr 2009
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. This dog is an American Foxhound, we believe he is purebred. Was found as a stray and we cannot believe that no one claimed him. Absolutely gorgeous and really smart dog.
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