My Dog With Hw Disease, 20 lbs underweight need help putting weight on her Options

[AnimalHouse]

Hello everyone. I'm here because my 5 year old dog, Gypsy, was diagnosed hw positive back in March. At first I was told stage 4 but after the exam and a few tests it was downgraded to stage 3.

I'll try not to make this a long post but there's just so much to say. Right now I am devastated; Gypsy's condition is deteriorating fast and I'm trying to the best of my ability to save her.

April she had 1st of 3 treatments. She could not handle the 30 days of Doxy and vet said she had a 50/50 survival rate if we act immediately. Since that initial injection she has been in/out of overnight and 3 day stays in the hospital due to vomiting and diarrhea. She's had diarrhea for the last 50 days.

Fast forward to current day; she is no longer able to continue the treatments. Vet started her on Heartguard, first "cookie" was last week and she's just as sick if not more than when this all started in March. She is on medication for nausea, diarrhea, and something that's supposed to coat her stomach/GI to relieve the terrible gas, indigestion and bloat. Also probiotics, prebiotics and enzymes.

She is 20 pounds underweight, this is what brings me seeking support and any Information I can gather from anyone who has been in this situation or something similar. In March she was 75 pounds so it is absolutely devastating to see her close to 55 lbs. All bones. My heart is breaking.

I am trying everything to put weigh on her to no avail. The vet, a wonderful man who has helped many of my animals for over 16 years, is just not helping me with this. He says she has to start gaining yet doesn't suggest more than feed her healthy good quality foods. I am. Believe me when I say that I have gone without in order to afford things for her.

I apologize for this being long but wanted to get down the important things... is there any hope of her gaining? Foods are organic chicken, bison, rice, bone broth, vegetables she likes, treats I make all without gluten.

Thank you for reading this - any advice would be greatly appreciated!!

[moon_beam]

Hi, Animal House, please permit me to offer you my sincerest condolences in the heartworm diagnosis of your precious Gypsy. This is a very serious health crisis which, sadly, can be fatal - - if not by the illness itself then by the treatment as not all companions can tolerate the extreme medications that are required to kill the worms and larvae.

I do so understand your frustration and concerns about the response - - or lack thereof - - you and your precious Gypsy are receiving from your current veterinary practitioner. Please know you have the right to seek a second opinion - - and as many opinions from as many veterinary care providers you wish - - AND to CHANGE veterinary care providers when / if you should find one that you feel more comfortable and confident with treating your precious Gypsy.

I personally am not familiar with the course of heartworm treatment for any of my companions I have been blessed to have in my life through the years. But even so, please know you are among friends here who truly understand the fear and concerns you have for your precious Gypsy, and we are here for you to offer you our comfort, support, encouragement, and hope in any way we possibly can.

Thank you so much for honoring us in sharing your precious Gypsy's health crisis with us. Please know your precious Gypsy, and you, are in my thoughts and prayers, and please let us know how things are going.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

[LittleGirl's...]

Hi AnimalHouse,

I am so sorry to hear about Gypsy's condition. I agree with what moon_beam mentioned about 2nd opinions, etc.

How is Gypsy's actual appetite? Does she feel like eating, or does she just half-heartedly eat? Wondering whether the vet could put her on something that would increase her desire to eat (I know there are meds for humans that do that). Is prednisone a possibility in her case? (Maybe not for this condition?) I know that tends to really increase the appetite.

Two other things -- my sister has found, with her dogs past and present, that when their appetite is low for whatever reason, she resorts to a McDonald's hamburger or a Swanson chicken pie. I know those things aren't the healthiest. Just sort of grasping at straws. I can imagine how heartbreaking it is to see your sweet Gypsy so thin! And to worry about ...everything about this hw !

If I think of anything else I will let you know!

I'll be sending prayers your way!!

Kathy

[AnimalHouse]

moon_beam and LittleGirlsMommy, I apologize for not getting back to you sooner, thank you for responding. My sweet, sweet girl didn't make it. We found out far too late that she had a massive stomach tumor. I am absolutely crushed.

[LittleGirl's...]

OH I'm so very sorry, AnimalHouse !!!

I know the grief must be excruciating! You did your absolute best and Gypsy knows that.

Your precious Gypsy is still there with you, and you'll always be together---just that she is not in her familiar physical form that you love so much.

I will write more later. I just wanted to send you this note in the meantime.

May I move your story to the Death and Dying page? (Or perhaps moon_beam or LS Support will do that before I get back here later today.)

Sending prayers your way!!

Kathy

moon_beam and LittleGirlsMommy, I apologize for not getting back to you sooner, thank you for responding. My sweet, sweet girl didn't make it. We found out far too late that she had a massive stomach tumor. I am absolutely crushed.

[moon_beam]

Hi, AnimalHouse, please permit me to add my sincerest sympathies in the physical loss of your beloved Gypsy. Losing a companion is never easy regardless of the circumstances or how long we are blessed with the privilege of their company.

AnimalHouse, this grief journey is one of the most painful experiences you will know on this side of eternity. It is a journey that is filled with many different emotions that can overwhelm us all at one time which is why it is frequently referred to as a horror roller coaster ride. It is a journey that can only be traveled one day at a time sometimes one moment at a time for you are now on a journey that is filled with all the first withouts and the memories that can be all too painful right now that include this time yesterday, last week, last month, last year to endure.

AnimalHouse, I do so understand how broken and shattered your heart is feeling right now. Cancer is a very incidious illness that usually does not let us know it is happening until the disease has taken hold of the body - - this is true for both humans as well as our companions. With our companions the problem is compounded in that they have an inherited genetic trait that makes them disguise how they are feeling until the effects of the illness / injury can no longer be hidden. By the time we are able to see that they are not feeling well the effects of the illness / injury have already begun to take a toll on their physical body. Sometimes veterinary medicine can intervene and restore our companions to a stable quality of health so that they can continue to enjoy their earthly journey with us. But when the illness / injury has progressed beyond the abilities of medical intervention the only thing we can do is ease their transition journey to the angels - - even when our hearts are breaking under the deepest burden of sorrow we will ever know.

This is what love is, AnimalHouse - - putting the needs of our companions before our own wants and desires. The good news is that love is eternal - - it is not restricted to the physical laws of time and space. Your beloved Gypsy's sweet Living Spirit is always and forever with you wherever you go and whatever you do - - for she is always and forever a part of your heart and memories - - she is always and forever a heartbeat close to you.

I do know so very well from first hand experience that when our hearts are entrenched in deep grief there are no adequate words in any language that can soothe the searing pain of sorrow. Still I hope the words I share with you will offer you some measure of comfort, support, encouragement, and hope as you travel your grief adjustment journey.

Thank you so much for honoring us in sharing your beloved Gypsy with us, AnimalHouse. Please know we are here for you for as long and as often as you need us. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers, and please let us know how you're doing.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam