Ohhh...I'm gonna miss Henson even if it's a virtual Henson, he's really grown on me! I am happy though that he has found a forever home, that warms my heart!!
How long will it take to ween him from the steroids??
I am so glad Hensen is finally going to be going to his forever home. Jen, you have done such amazing things for him, I know he will never forget you. Keep us updated!
Hey Karen - I'm pretty sure they will start tapering his dose for the next thirty days, until he's only taking 2.5mg once every other day to finish. For the next two weeks though, he'll be at full 10mgs, then go to 5 mgs, then 2.5.
Yeah, I was just curious cos when I've been on steroids the weening part is the hardest/longest part..keeping track of 1/2 of this...then a quarter....which is why I hate it when they put me on it!
I can't wait to see some final pics of Henson!! I'm just so happy for him!!
Henson got his shot and the vet said she'd like to see us bring him back tomorrow to follow the 3 shot protocol, instead of the two shot protocol the rescue recommended. The rescue, however, is adamantly refusing her suggesting, saying a 3rd shot is not warranted. I'm very much in the middle here... I need some advice.
Based on my vet's suggestion, I want to follow her protocol. I want to do what is best for Henson. He belongs to the rescue, so if I did go along with the 3rd shot, they would not reimburse and I believe would be upset that I did. If I do not, I'm sure our new found vet will be upset. Stuck. In. This.
Does anyone know anyone who has dealt with Heartworms in the last year or so regarding protocol and what the differences is with the 2 vs. 3 shot protocol????? Thanks!
Oy. The vet is pretty P-O'd, understandably. Since we didn't get x-rays of Henson's heart/lungs when he was first seen by her, she wanted to just take the precaution and use the 3 shot protocol to knock out all worms in case the severity of infection was more than he showed side effects of (he had no side effects, usually dogs with stage2+ have coughing, respiratory hardship, lethargy, etc) Henson had none of these, so we then felt it safe to assume an early stage and start treatment immediately.
The rescue is a-d-a-m-e-n-t-l-y refusing my vet's protocol. So, instead of being at the vet's for his final shot, Henson is here, sleeping. He doesn't technically belong to me anymore, so I can't make that call and just bring him in. Its a tough spot to be in.
I'm now waiting for the rescue to return the vet's call so she can explain why she chose that protocol...
Ugh, does your vet understand that this is out of your hands and you would get the 3rd shot if it was up to you? I think your vet should respect that and not be mad at you for a decision you can't make.
Hopefully the rescue calls the vet and the vet can get them to understand why Henson needs the 3rd shot.
I hope the rescue calls her... she's willing to talk to them explaining the third shot, although now its passed the 24 hr period so I don't even know how effective the 3rd shot will be... maybe thats what the rescue is doing. waiting.
I feel like I'm becoming quite educated on these matters of heartworm protocol! See, according to the rescue, he should have gotten his first shot in february, then a second shot 24hrs after to kill all adult worms. 6 weeks later be tested and start on preventative to kill all maturing/baby worms. Thats normally what a two shot protocol entails. A three shot protocol is what Henson was going in for, usually with dogs with an undetermined or later stage infection. Now, because he got a shot a month apart, I don't know how effective it will even be. I gotta hope it is totally effective, though...
Well, we won't be going back to my new-found fabulous vet... I think the rescue solidified that. But, Henson got his two shots and is homeward bound in the next weekend or two - there's a quote by Carl Jung.. something about in all chaos emerge a cosmos... I guess he was on to something.
Tsukitsune: Henson is adorable, and here are wishes for his continued good health and freedom from the heartworms... What a terrible place to be in between the rescue group and the vet, and wanting to do the best for Henson! Anyway, he is a cutie! Wishing him all the best in his new home! By the way, I love that pic of the shiba's in the window looking so wistfully at Henson, and it is so cool that Henson shows up as a reflection in the window above their head! Great shot!
I cried, too! I assure you! But he and his new mom... it was love at first sight at both ends of the leash - that makes it all worth it. He will be missed, though, definitely.
Comments
I wish I was Henson's new home too
I haven't met the new home yet, but I hope to if they come this weekend.. i have so much to tell them about him.
LJ - I'm going to try and be strong and say not any time soon since I doubled my course load for the summer, but, you never know I guess.
How long will it take to ween him from the steroids??
Thanks for the update
Snf
I can't wait to see some final pics of Henson!! I'm just so happy for him!!
Henson got his shot and the vet said she'd like to see us bring him back tomorrow to follow the 3 shot protocol, instead of the two shot protocol the rescue recommended. The rescue, however, is adamantly refusing her suggesting, saying a 3rd shot is not warranted.
I'm very much in the middle here... I need some advice.
Based on my vet's suggestion, I want to follow her protocol. I want to do what is best for Henson. He belongs to the rescue, so if I did go along with the 3rd shot, they would not reimburse and I believe would be upset that I did. If I do not, I'm sure our new found vet will be upset.
Stuck.
In.
This.
Does anyone know anyone who has dealt with Heartworms in the last year or so regarding protocol and what the differences is with the 2 vs. 3 shot protocol?????
Thanks!
The rescue is a-d-a-m-e-n-t-l-y refusing my vet's protocol. So, instead of being at the vet's for his final shot, Henson is here, sleeping. He doesn't technically belong to me anymore, so I can't make that call and just bring him in. Its a tough spot to be in.
I'm now waiting for the rescue to return the vet's call so she can explain why she chose that protocol...
Hopefully the rescue calls the vet and the vet can get them to understand why Henson needs the 3rd shot.
I feel like I'm becoming quite educated on these matters of heartworm protocol! See, according to the rescue, he should have gotten his first shot in february, then a second shot 24hrs after to kill all adult worms. 6 weeks later be tested and start on preventative to kill all maturing/baby worms. Thats normally what a two shot protocol entails.
A three shot protocol is what Henson was going in for, usually with dogs with an undetermined or later stage infection. Now, because he got a shot a month apart, I don't know how effective it will even be. I gotta hope it is totally effective, though...
That doesn't sound fabulous at all...
Yeah, I guess she ain't so fab, oh well. Such is life, I guess.
Some new Henson pics:
He is SUCH a love. His new home is blessed with a great dog.
Post injection chill day
Good luck to him!
Thank your taking him in and helping him to fight off heartworm.