adopted a 3 year old Lhasa Apso from the animal shelter. She is black and white with hair laying all in her face. Her body was shaved short though. Well she was sweet and cute so I adopted her. I immediately took her to the vet and she tested positive for heart worms, plus, when they pulled her hair back to check her eyes they had a greyish film over them. They said they were lacerations from years of letting her hair lay in her eyes. I don't want to take her back because they will put her down as they don't have the funds to get her well. The heartworm treatment is 200.00, and her eyes will have to stay like they are. The vet said it is not affecting her eye sight that much. Should I notify the animal shelter about this? The vet is going to let me pay out the bill.
2007-02-14 15:42:08 · 7 answers · asked by devinshell 3 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Wow, tough situation!
I would contact the shelter. Be VERY polite about it, and just come across as to 'let them know'. Mention you aren't looking to return her because of their funds in getting treatment, but you just wanted to give them a heads up. (and u could add in.."just wanted to let you know, because you could have heartworm carriers in your shelter") . I have been volunteering at a cat rescue shelter for over 2 years, and have also sold animal babies. (my own litters) I would want to know if an animal that i was involved with rescuing and was sold out and had a big health problem. This way, and least its some kind of wake up call to them, and 50-50 chance the further animals there have a better chance with health & happiness.
Good luck to you...
2007-02-14 15:50:51 · answer #1 · answered by dreamkillerkitten 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes. The animal shelter here tests animals for heart worms before they are considered adoptable. Most animals that test positive are put down. I think it was irresponsible for an animal to be adopted out without that check or at least you should have been advised of any health problems before you adopted. You probably saved the animal's life. I would see if they will up some bucks to help you now that you are attached to the animal. I would lay it on thick. . .Here's another suggestion for you to look into. I have adopted some animals that were heart worm positive and I give them Ivermectin. Ivermectin is a very serious medicine but it is given to animals as a heart worm preventative in small amounts-1ml of dilution solution for every 10 pounds of animal. It may be given to animals that are heart worm positive. The theory is that it will kill the small-don't remember the name-but the very new heartworms and some larger ones but will not kill adult worms. A recent study came out that it kills older worms than previously thought. Since a heart worm lives 5 years, it should be that your dog will be heart worm free in 5 years. Of course the down side is that the adult worms are doing their damage until they can die. One dog I took in as a puppy was near death from starvation, mange, and heartworms. His immune system was severly challenged and he lived a good twelve years. The ivermectin helped with the mange that was generalized and he just couldn't beat and I never had him checked again to be sure he was rid of the heartworms. He always ran and jumped and was always into everything. The down side of the other heartworm treatment is that the dog can die. Please keep my info if you want further information. The first ivermectin treatment (given orally) can bring on a severe reaction so be sure if your vet is going to watch your dog that someone is actually there all night not just dropping in occasionally. I have a very good vet that would probably email you more info and would be glad to pass that along to you also. There is a lot of info on line. Hope this helps.
2007-02-14 16:07:00 · answer #2 · answered by towanda 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is true that those pets will be stuck in that small space until they are bought - but the animals in shelters are stuck in cages for a week until they are killed. The animals in pet shops have longer to be adopted and if they are not will then probably be sent to a shelter anyway. Animals in pet shops have been especially bred to be sold in pet shops so if there is a high demand and those animals get sold more will be bred to replace those sold. So if people stop buying animals in pet shops breeders will stop breeding which will mean less animals being killed every day. Also when you buy an animal from the shelter they are still as cute as the ones from the pet shops. There is no difference. They are checked and given shots and microchipped and everything at the shelter. I adopted my cat just hours before she would have been put down. i have had her for over a year and she has never even scratched me once in that time. She is so affectionate and adorable and I am so glad I managed to save her life.
2016-03-29 07:03:07 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You actually have another option for treating her heartworms if they aren't real bad yet. Ask your vet about long term heart treatment with Heart Guard. Its a new way of treating dogs with heartworms and its sooooo much easier on the dog! Its alot less expensive to start also! You can search out information about it on the internet too. This kind of treatment DOES WORK!! I rescue dogs from my local shelter and have treated 3 this way!
If you shelter is like ours they won't do anything about the animal having heartworms or her eyes. Her vet care will solely be up to you. I doubt they would do anything to the previous owner either if they haven't already.
You can buy vitamin supplments at your local pet store that promote healthy eye sight. It wouldn't hurt to get her some!
Good luck!
Peaches
2007-02-14 15:54:12 · answer #4 · answered by peachesdeese 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I would let them know for the records they have and let them know that you are getting it treated. When you get a dog from there you sign a paper releasing them from responsibility of health problems but they still would most likely want to know. Thank you for adopting her and giving her a loving home and it is great that your vet is being so nice. Good luck with the treatment.
2007-02-14 15:55:41 · answer #5 · answered by momof3boys 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
contact the shelter and let them know and then contact someone who deals with shelter regulations. they should have known that she was positive for heart worms and about the eye problem and treated her before they adopted her out.
2007-02-14 20:05:43 · answer #6 · answered by MommyCaleb 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wow. That is hard. God bless you for having such a big heart.
I think the first answerer gave you good advice...so I just wanted to thank you for having such a big heart.
I am also going to send your dog some Reiki healing.
2007-02-14 15:59:53 · answer #7 · answered by KarenS 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋