Tag Archives: heartworm positive

Adoption, Dogs, Foster, FOTAS, Heartworms, Volunteer

Falling in love with a heartworm positive dog

Posted on by Angel Hartline
23
Oct

By Joanna D. Samson, FOTAS Vice President

You and your family have made a decision: you are ready for a new dog, and you want to adopt your new best friend from the Aiken County Animal Shelter. You visit the Shelter and walk through the adoption pods with a staff member or a FOTAS volunteer. You meet a number of prospects, but you are drawn to a handsome, two year-old black and brown shepherd mix named Bryant who stands at attention and wags his tail when you stop at his kennel. Bryant is so openly friendly, so eager to please, you are astonished to learn that he was painfully shy and scared of people when he first came to the Shelter.

Then, as you watch Bryant attempt to crawl into the lap of Darling Rios, one of the FOTAS play yard experts, like he was a fluffy little lap dog instead of the 51-pound bruiser that he is, you think, “Wow, that’s one special dog.”

There’s only one thing: Bryant is heartworm positive (HWP). What does that mean for you, and most importantly, Bryant?

The answer is: very little, because only HWP dogs who are healthy and show no clinical signs of heartworm disease are placed on the adoption floor at the Shelter.

“Dogs are infected with heartworms by mosquitoes, but it takes a long time for heartworm larvae to mature into adult, reproducing worms that can strangle the heart,” says Jennifer Miller, President of FOTAS, “so heartworm disease in a healthy, young dog is treatable with a course of antibiotics, which weakens any maturing worms, followed by monthly heartworm prevention medicine, like Heartguard, which every dog in the South should be on anyway.”

Dr. Charles Groover from the Aiken Veterinary Clinic agrees. “I have seen and treated literally thousands of dogs with heartworm disease in Mississippi and South Carolina,” says Dr. Groover. “Here in South Carolina, I almost never see a case of heartworms that cannot be treated successfully, and in most cases, the treatment is no more expensive or time-consuming than protecting a dog who has not tested positive for heartworms.”

So, go ahead. Fall in love with Bryant or any other HWP dog on the adoption floor of the Shelter, because:

Only healthy HWP dogs with no clinical signs of disease are placed on the adoption floor;

Healthy HWP dogs, with proper treatment and care, can lead the same long, healthy lives as any other dog on the adoption floor; in fact, no one who has adopted a HWP dog from the Shelter has reported that their dog became sick or died from heartworm disease;

When you adopt a dog from the County Shelter, FOTAS pays for the antibiotics and the first 6 months of Heartguard—that’s money in your pocket because you need to give your dog the monthly heartworm prevention medicine anyway; and

Treatment is easy: after the completing the course of antibiotics, one little tasty, chewy Heartguard chunk a month is all it takes to treat and protect your dog.

Come on over to the Shelter, the very handsome Bryant is waiting to crawl into your lap and love you up.

Their lives are in our hands.

 

Darling and Bryant
Darling and Bryant
Adoption, Bully Dogs, Dogs, FOTAS, Heartworms, Pibbles

The Magic of Shelter Pets

Posted on by Angel Hartline
25
Sep

By Joanna D. Samson, Vice President, FOTAS

My husband David swears that shelter dogs are grateful, that they know they have been saved and that you saved them, and that their love and devotion are expressions of that gratitude.

Now I can’t say for sure that our Maggie dog’s love is an expression of gratitude rather than a reciprocal response to our love and care, or that the depth of our terrier mutt Jack’s devotion to us is somehow greater than, say, a pedigreed poodle’s devotion to its owner.

But I can say this: every one of our shelter dogs has brought us indescribable joy. No matter what the circumstances of their unfortunate history that brought them to the shelter, whether neglect or abuse or both, they bonded with us seamlessly and with no hesitation. As always, love transformed them, and in return, they transformed us, enriching our lives in ways that we could not have imagined on the day we brought them home.

David Stinson is a dog-lover, and for the past 10 years, he has resided with 4 large dogs in his lovely little cottage on Newberry Street. When old age and cancer took two of his dogs, David was uncertain whether he wanted to add another dog to his remaining aging brood. Maybe, he thought, the inevitable aging-out of his canine pack would free him to travel more or pursue his many hobbies in more depth.

Then along came a pretty red and white Pibble named (by the Shelter staff) Snickers, who was picked up as a stray, clearly abandoned by her negligent owners. Snickers wore the tell-tale marks of neglect bordering on abuse. Her neck bore scars of a chain, suggesting she had been tethered to a stake. She showed signs of repeated breeding, and her front teeth had been filed, indicating a life as a breeding bitch for fighting dogs. And of course, she had early stage heartworm disease.

I met Snickers when she was introduced to a play group at the Shelter. Despite her background, she was an unapologetic, enthusiastic, fervent people-lover. I was smitten, and when I introduced her to David, he was smitten, too. He took her home, renamed her “Lady Edith of Newberry,” befitting of her regal nature, and the rest, as they say, is history.

“This morning,” says David, “Lady Edith is riding in the passenger seat of my car wearing her seatbelt. We stop at Popeye’s and share a sausage biscuit. She spent the first part of the day washing the faces of my old hound dogs at home. Now she is on her way to my office, where she will spend the morning with me. I have to keep her moving along; otherwise, she will linger to play with every dog and human we meet on the way.”
Now that is the happiest of endings.

Your destiny may be waiting for you right now at the Aiken County Animal Shelter. Maybe it’s an adorable puppy, a goofy dog or a regal cat. Please consider adopting your new pet at the Aiken County Animal Shelter – it’s a choice you won’t regret.

Their lives are in our hands.

Lacy Edith of Newberry poses in her new home.
Lacy Edith of Newberry poses in her new home.

 

Adoption, Cats, Dogs, Donate, Foster, FOTAS, Volunteer

The County Shelter is full and needs your help!

Posted on by Angel Hartline
26
May

By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Communications Director

It’s a rainy Tuesday morning and although the Shelter opened its doors less than an hour ago, the staff has already taken in two litters of homeless kittens. A Siamese mix is weaning three of the kittens and a Calico is cuddled with six babies, two of them breathing heavily and needing medical attention.

“I didn’t know what to do,” says the elderly Aiken woman who brought in the Siamese mom and her brood. “I’d love to keep them but I already have four cats and two dogs at the house.”

An hour later, a woman and her young son bring in two Spaniel mix dogs that they say wandered onto their farm. Still later, an elderly man arrives with a chubby, brown Tabby in a wire cage. Then, just before noon, another man surrenders six kittens. He says they were born under his porch but the momma cat was hit by a car and killed.

This seemingly endless parade of homeless animals is not unusual these days. The Shelter is at full capacity and the combination of warmer weather and longer daylight hours means more animals are breeding. Springtime also signals the arrival of “kitten season”, a peak time of feline births that will continue through September.

But while the extremely high intake of animals makes for challenging times at the Shelter, there are many ways you can help, including:

  • Take advantage of our May half-price special and adopt a pet. This month, all cats and dogs that have already been spay/neutered are just half-price at the shelter. The adoption fee for cats (normally $35) is just $17.50 and for dogs (normally $75) is only $35!
  • Volunteer at the shelter. We need all sorts of help, especially dog walkers and people to show the animals to visitors. We have cats and kittens that need cuddling and care; dogs that need to be walked, washed and shown to visitors; and puppies that need to be socialized and loved. Come to 333 Wire Road and fill out an application.
  • Foster shelter animals at your home. To get homeless animals prepared for adoption and open up space on the adoption floor, we are seeking fosters to temporarily take in animals. Come to the shelter and fill out an application, and we’ll get you started on this rewarding journey.
  • Get your dogs and cats on heartworm preventative treatment ASAP. Way too many dogs that are picked up or surrendered at the shelter test positive for heartworms. Please get your pets on a year-round preventative right away. Heartworms is a mosquito-borne condition and the buzzing blood suckers are already out and about. Consult your veterinarian for which preventative best suits your pet.

And, of course, be sure to spay/neuter your pets. This is where the overpopulation problem starts. Typically, dogs and cats are mature and efficient breeding machines at just four months of age. Both FOTAS and the County offer financial assistance to qualified pet owners for this surgery – including a voucher program, FOTAS Fix-a-Pet and a TNR (trap, neuter, release) plan. Getting your pet fixed should be a top priority. In fact, it is your duty as a good citizen of Aiken County.

Their lives are in our hands.

For more information, please go to www.fotasaiken. You can also call (803) 514-4313 or send an email to volunteer@angelhartlinedesigns.com.

Adoption, Dogs, FOTAS, Heartworms

Heartworm Positive Dogs Can Be Great, Longtime Companions

Posted on by Angel Hartline
09
Feb

By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Communications Director

Most everyone knows heartworms are a threat to dogs, especially in the warm climate of the South. But what many people might not realize is that heartworm disease is seldom a death sentence. In fact, dogs with this condition can live happy, high quality lives as long as they are given appropriate care.

Of course, it is much easier (and cheaper) to stop this mosquito-borne illness in its tracks by giving your dog a preventative medication. But if a canine is unlucky enough to get heartworms because he is a stray or his prior owner didn’t provide a preventative, there are effective treatments available.

These heartworm positive (HW+) dogs are not contagious and only in the most severe cases do they show any symptoms. So, as long as their condition is managed properly and not critical, they can make wonderful, long-term companions.

Annie, a Hound mix, is a prime example of this phenomenon. Though she tested positive for heartworms upon arrival at the Aiken County Animal Shelter (ACAS), the young dog was quickly put on two weeks of doxycycline pills, a drug that weakens the heartworm, followed by a strict regimen of heartworm preventative. The preventative allows the worms to die off at a slow rate and prevent the dog from getting any new heartworms. FOTAS pays for the initial medication and six months of the preventative for all HW+ dogs adopted at the ACAS.

Matt Cummins, who adopted Annie and lives in Graniteville with his wife and young daughter, said Annie has as much energy as any other two-year-old dog and is the most loving pet he’s ever had.

Shuli is another HW+ Shelter dog that is doing well at her new home. Adopted by Keelin Redmond of Aiken in October, the 4-year-old, blonde Terrier mix was also put on the “slow kill” treatment of doxycycline, followed by a heartworm preventative. Keelin, a local veterinarian, said she fell in love with Shuli before she found out about her condition. However, she is thrilled to have her.

“If I had let it [the heartworm infection] put me off adopting Shuli, I would have missed out on one of the best things to ever happen to me,” she said.

Other HW+ dogs recently adopted from the Shelter include Bailey, a black Lab mix, and Mason, a Bassett mix. Both are doing great in their new homes.

To encourage the adoption of HW+ dogs, FOTAS and the ACAS are featuring a Valentine’s Day special in which the adoption fee for HW+ dogs is just $14. This special will continue through Feb. 15.

“Adopting one of these dogs is a commitment of giving medication regularly and we recommend people follow up with their veterinarians for continued monitoring,” said Dr. Levy, the County Shelter’s veterinarian. Dr. Levy herself has two rescue dogs that were HW+ when she adopted them. One is now 13 years old and the other 10 – and both are doing great.

To learn more about FOTAS, The Valentine’s HW+ Dog Adoption Special and heartworm prevention/treatment, please go to www.fotasaiken.org.

Their lives are in our hands…

Adoption, Dogs, Heartworms, News

Adopting a Healthy Heartworm Positive Dog: A Talk With the Doctor

Posted on by Angel Hartline
11
Jun

 

By Joanna Dunn Samson

You’ve decided it’s time to adopt a dog. You pack up the kids and head over to the new Aiken County Animal Shelter to check out some prospects.

A volunteer introduces you to Duke, a 35-pound, black and tan border collie/shepherd cross. Duke is frisky, alert and well-behaved. He loves attention. He loves his bath. He walks quietly on a leash.

Duke’s perfect, you think, but there’s one thing that worries you.

Duke is heartworm positive (HWP).

You need not worry. Duke is a healthy dog with Stage 1 heartworm infection, which can be treated with proper care. As a result, pursuant to a new County/FOTAS initiative, Duke is eligible for adoption and FOTAS will pay for the first six months of treatment when he is adopted.

I asked Dr. Charlie Timmerman, a well-respected veterinarian in Aiken County for over 30 years and a FOTAS Board member, about heartworms and the new County/FOTAS initiative.

CT: Heartworms, which are prevalent in South Carolina, are parasites that live in the heart and lungs. Left untreated, the worms can increase in numbers and fill the heart chambers, interfering with the heart’s ability to pump blood to the body and ultimately causing congestive heart failure.

JDS: How is the disease transmitted?

CT: By mosquitos that have fed on an infected dog; the mosquito then transmits the microfilaria, or the larva, to the next dog it bites.

JDS: Does a dog bitten by an infected mosquito get sick right away?

CT: No, it takes the microfilaria 6-7 months to become an adult and move into the heart. The time for a dog to develop heartworm disease varies with every dog, and not every dog will develop heartworm disease!!! That’s why early diagnosis and treatment is so important.

JDS: How can you tell if a dog is infected?

CT: Through a blood test that checks for the presence of adult worms. If it’s positive, then you do a second test to determine if there is microfilaria in the blood stream. Some dogs only have adult worms and no microfilaria.

A dog that tests positive for infection, who is otherwise healthy and shows no clinical signs of disease, could be in the very early stages of infection. They are as healthy as any of the other adoptable dogs at the County shelter.

JDS: How do you treat early-stage heartworm infection?

CT: We endorse the “slow-kill” method of treatment, which is more affordable and easier for the dog than the “fast-kill” method.

First we administer antibiotics, which weakens the adult worms and makes them easier to kill. Then the dogs are put on Heartguard, a monthly preventative, which keeps them from getting more heartworms and “slowly kills” the worms and any microfilaria.

JDS: If someone adopts a healthy HWP dog from the County, does FOTAS help pay for the treatment?

CT: Yes.  FOTAS issues a voucher for the doxycycline and six months of Heartguard, which is accepted by six participating veterinarians in the County.

It’s a great deal, because every dog in South Carolina should be on monthly heartworm prevention anyway, so it’s one less expense for the owner.

This is all good news. Like Duke, there are many loving, healthy dogs at the County Shelter that just happen to test positive for heartworms.

Thru August 9th, if you adopt a HWP dog, the adoption fee is reduced to $35 and you get the first 6 months of Heartguard free.

That’s a win-win for everyone.

So come on, why don’t you take Duke home today?

Here are the Shelter’s  received, saved and euthanasia stats for the month of June 2014.

DOGS                   CATS                        TOTAL

Received                                                      300                        268                          568

Re-Homed (adopted/transferred)                   65                          80 (best ever)        215

Euthanized                                                     43                        292                          435

 

DUKE — Male, shepherd/collie mix — 1.5 years old —  $35

 

Rosa – Female, calico — 4 yrs old — 7.5 lbs — $17

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