German Wirehaired Pointer Club of America

FranH · Newbie Joined: 26 Feb 2003 Posts: 1

We are/were considering a GWP rescue dog. We had visited the dog several times and we were becoming attached. However, the vet determined the dog had tape and heartworm. The tapeworm was apparently easy to deal with. We have real concerns with the heart worm. The dog was a stray, is about 2 years old and has "moderate" heartworm. We are active, can't guarantee a tranquil environment, and want a healthy dog in the long run. There is also a squeamish factor at work and I am concerned we will treat the dog differently. All this adds up to I don't believe it is in our interest or the dog's for us to take her. I am curious to hear some feedback on the issue though as far as other peoples'experiences with heartworm and permanent damage from it. Is there any predisposition to this in GWPs? I figure it was just negligence on the prior owner's part.

Thanks,
Feeling bad

wiredpointer · Newbie Joined: 30 Mar 2003 Posts: 1

I adopted a 2 YO GWP with heartworms six years ago. Treatment wasn't cheap, but like you, I had gotten attached to him by the time I picked him up at the shelter and took him for his first vet visit.

My dog came through the treatment with flying colors and he seems perfectly fine now. He is 8 now and is still incredibly active. One vet mentioned he might have heard a slight heart murmur a few years ago but five other vets over the years have not heard anything wrong. He also had an EKG this year as part of his annual physical and it was normal.

As for the treatment itself, he had to stay at the vet for several days and they said to keep him calm when I picked him up, but if you know GWPs, you know that's impossible. It didn't seem to hurt him though. Smile

Good luck with your decision!

AmmoMike · Posted: 06/18/03, 3:03 pm Post subject: Heartworm

I also had a dog with heartworms once. He went throgh the treatment while I was in Korea (wife dealt with it), BUT when I returned after 8 months he was no different than before. Yes, he had to stay in the vet a few days and stay calm for I think 3 or 4 more after he came home.
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Mike

Hunters Edge · Member Joined: 02 Jul 2003 Posts: 14

The only dog I have ever had that had heartworm was a beagle. Many years ago the only preventative was a daily and this I stopped in late November. In the spring right before we started up the season we always had the dogs checked and he had heartworm. Because of this and knowing that the larvae is still in the blood I keep all my dogs on heartworm preventative all year long now, they never come off it.

Any way he was treated and lived a healthy life. It was hard for him to go through it. He was indeed lethargic and was slow to come around. I guess it would depend on how far along the dogs illness has become and how successful treatment is. All of this will be a factor in if your dog will have the same energy and life expectancy.