Sophie

Sophie is a true Southern gal. She was spotted on the wrong side of the tracks with her protector, a boxer. Sophie is a beautiful white and black little Frenchton, who has had a litter or two, she was a bit scared and timid when she was first taken on the street by animal control in Gaston Co. North Carolina.

Animal Control and Boston Terrier Rescue made sure that she was washed and loved up and spayed and vaccinated at the vets. While there she was also tested positive for heart worm. The estimated time that she has been living with this condition is a year. The symptoms of heart worm include cough, shortness of breath, fainting after exercise, tiring easily, weight loss and loss of appetite, and listlessness and nervousness. There may be anemia, jaundice, poor coat condition, swelling of the abdomen, and bloody sputum and stool. Labored breathing at rest, prominent ribs, and chest bulging are signs of progressive disease. In advanced stages, heart failure and pulmonary clotting can cause collapse and death. If she had been in a home it is highly likely it would have be noticed tha she was not feeling well and her treatment could have begun long ago..never mind be on preventative heartguard.

Heartworm burrow into the animal and change in form, moving into the veins and eventually the heart. In three to four months adult worms emerge. They can survive for about five years in a dog’s heart and reach lengths of twelve inches.

Heartworm treatment is complex and often dangerous. The animal must be healthy enough to begin with, so any organ problems should be treated first. Treatment of severe heartworm disease can lead to complications and death.

The vet thinks that our poor little Sophie has been living with this condition for about a year

She is currently on heartguard for the next three months and then she will receive heartworm treatment. The vet wants to make sure the teenage worms grow so that they will be killed by the treatment.

In dogs, two treatment steps are involved. The first is to kill the worms (adulticide therapy) using one of two very potent arsenic compounds administered intravenously or intramuscularly: thiacetarsamide sodium or melarsomine dihydrochloride. If they are effective, there will be clotting of dead worms in the circulation, as well as fever, vomiting, loss of appetite, jaundice, cough, and expectoration of blood. The dog must not be allowed to exercise for two weeks following treatment because of the clotting

She is a very sweet, loyal and loving dog. She follows you everywhere and curls up at your feet. She will be slowly going through treatment and monitored closely. The vet fees for her ongoing care and treatment are very costly and are adding up quickly, while we know she is worth it your help in getting her back on her feet woul be appreciated. We need your help in getting Sophie back on her feet and on her way to finding her family to take care of her.
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