Wanton’s Fight Against Heartworms

Don't be fooled by this happy little pupper.

About a week ago, we found out that Wanton was heart worm positive. Medications are very risky but we are willing to take all the chances that we can get to save our little baby. We plan to save up as much as we can for his treatment so that he can start being his normal bubbly self. :(

For all the fur parents out there who are not familiar with this devastating disease that can easily latch on to our furry babies, please please read on.

Heart worms are spread and carried out by mosquitos. They are basically roundworms that infest and mature in the organs of your dogs. Adult heart worms then reproduce directly into the dogs blood, blocking their arteries. This is why most heart worm positive dogs have visibly large chests and usually die due to heart failure.

There are known medications but most of it further complicate the dog's disease. Adult heart worms can be killed through administering prophylaxis (adulticides), however, since they infest the heart, the dead heart worms may further block the arteries and vessels or cause blood clots.

It's heart breaking to say that many dogs die in spite of treatment.

So, what can you do?

1. Check for symptoms: Wanton showed inactivity, lack of appetite resulting to weight loss and some form of allergic reaction that caused the swelling of his feet, eyes and some red spots all through out his body. Most dogs exhibit coughing and aging. (Take note that these symptoms only show up when it's too late and the worms have already infested your poor baby's body so dont you dare wait for it before making a move)

2. Prevent. Go to the nearest vet and ask them to administer a heart worm vaccine. It only costs Php 200 to shield your little pupper of these mosquitos and heart worms.

We can only do so much from now. We're trying to help Wanton at least live longer by improving his immune system and skin conditions. If we are able to save enough funds, we might be able to extend his life and kill all those nasty worms.

We're done balling our eyes out and I guess I'm writing this to spread awareness. We do administer the yearly vaccines religiously, but we had no idea that these vaccines existed. ( If we only knew, right?)

So save your cute little babies and let them live a long healthy life. Get them those monthly vaccines.

#HeartWormAwareness