We are excited to announce Herschel is our November pet of the month! Nothing is more fitting to end the spooky season than with the idea of our beloved pets contracting Heartworms. Even the name brings a scary thought to our imagination. Herschel is a 5 year old, Chocolate colored Pitbull weighing in at a massive one hundred and three pounds.
Pitbulls are a descendant of bulldogs and terriers. These two breeds were crossed in
places such as England, Ireland and America, to gain the strength from the bulldog and agility of the terrier. However, Herschel’s favorite activity at home happens to be surfing the couch. Despite the stereotype Pitbulls carry as being aggressive bully dogs, Herschel is timid of the scale and when he comes in for his treatment he brings his special blanket with him to get him through it all. Herschel and his brother Briard, a Brindle colored Pitbull are inseparable when facing appointments at the hospital. Our technicians describe Herschel as a super sweet and an easy-going patient. He lets the techs perform tests and get everything they need with ease.
Herschel tested positive for Heartworms in early June when he came in for his yearly check up, vaccines and heartworm test. A confirmation test was sent out to confirm Herschel was positive. This was unexpected because his mom is aware of the risks of Heartworm and she gives his preventative regularly. However, he missed some doses in the winter because she, like many other pet owners, didn’t think it was a risk in the colder months. Unfortunately our winter months in Missouri are not cold enough to reduce the risk of Heartworm disease 100%.
Heartworm disease is caused by a worm known as Dirofilaria immitis, spread by the
bite of a mosquito. The larvae will transfer into the animal where they will migrate to the vessels, mature, mate, and produce offspring. This results in inflammation within the vessels and reduces blood flow causing lung disease and ultimately heart failure.
Herschel and other pets positive for Heartworm Disease get injections of Immiticide in the muscles of the lower back. When Herschel comes in for his injections he is monitored at the clinic for the rest of the day. Every half hour a technician monitors his respiration and pulse. This is to help make sure Herschel doesn’t have an allergic reaction to the medicine.
We are happy to announce Herschel made a successful recovery and is very healthy at home because they caught the disease early and helped give him a successful treatment plan. He will be getting heartworm year round from now on!
Written by Mackenzie
