Heartworm:

Heartworm treatment is a nasty disease and many years ago I had a dog that had it. Back then there was no remedial treatment for it and it does not improve on its own. Rex coughs on minimal exertion and he has an appointment to see our veterinarian in less than a week.  We are providing the vet with abundant records that came with him from Dallas TX. 

We hope that his treatment starts on his first visit to give him the best chance of recovery. In just the day that we have had him he is a very mild boy who fits right in with our pack and family. We were able to rescue him off death row as he had a time and date he would be euthanized. We jumped through several hoops to get him cleared and transported to us and we want him healthy and over his heartworm disease. 

From what I have learned so far the 6 weeks after his initial treatment he has to be still, no exertion and no excitement. No running, jumping or any activity that will increase his heart rate. That will include meeting new people or any excitement. His recovery will depend on his staying calm. 

Heartworm is an insidious disease and something we did not have to be concerned with when we lived in the mountains at 9,800' elevation as the mosquito could not survive there long enough to pass it on to animals.