My name is Moose (back)!

Name: Moose Age: 4-5 years old Breed: mixed breed Gender: Neutered Male Current Weight: 70.5 lbs Estimated weight when grown: Full Grown House broke: unknown Good with Dogs: unknown Good with Cats: unknown Good with Children: unknown Heartworm Test: POSITIVE Adoption Fee: $100 Misc. Information: Moose was brought into the shelter as a stray. He has been a very sweet and loving boy but is very scared and nervous, so please go slow and do not rush him. Moose may be a very nervous dog outside the shelter, or it could just be the shelter environment. He is going to need slow introductions and will need someone who is very patient and willing to work with him to get him out of his shell. He will need someone that will put time and effort into him so that he can feel comfortable. Heartworms in Dogs What is it? Heartworms are parasites that live in the heart and lungs of infected dogs. They are transmitted when a mosquito bites an infected dog and then feeds on a non-infected dog. Once a worm matures in the dog it can live for years, reproducing to increase the parasite burden. The parasites do a lot of damage to the dog, causing inflammation in the heart/ lungs, interfering with the heart beating and causing emboli which can be deadly. How is it diagnosed? Diagnosis at this shelter is made with a screening blood test, and is confirmed by an additional test or seeing microfilaria (baby heartworms) in the blood under the microscope. How is it treated? The treatment protocol for dogs deemed suitable for treatment lasts for 3 months, and includes a variety of medications and injections to kill the worms in the safest manner possible. What is the prognosis? There are several stages of heartworms. Those dogs that are asymptomatic or have only mild clinical signs (slight cough or mild exercise intolerance) have a good prognosis. Those who have developed heart problems, such as heart failure, or other complications of the disease have a poorer prognosis. This dog is available for adoption because the following criteria were met: The dog was found to be stage 1 or 2 based on physical exam, meaning no or few clinical signs were noted. The overall health and disposition of the dog is found to be conductive to a successful treatment in foster. A willing foster home was available for the duration of treatment A benefit fund, monetary donations from fund-raising sources, was available to cover treatment cost What do I need to do if I adopt this dog? It's IMPERATIVE that the adopter limit the dog's physical activity during the 3 months of treatment, as well as 6-8 weeks after treatment has ended, with gradual return to normal exercise levels. The dead worms will slowly be absorbed by the body over this time. It's extremely important that the dog does not exert himself (run, jump, etc), or a piece of a dead worm (emboli) may lodge in a blood vessel or the lungs, which can be deadly. You will need to consult your Veterinarian to continue this dog on an appropriate year-round heartworm preventative to prevent re-infection. Your Veterinarian may also want to re-test the dog 6 months after treatment to ensure treatment success. This dog is being treated with the American Heartworm Society's protocol for the treatment of canine heartworm, which is the best available treatment for the disease. However, a small percentage of dogs will fail to be entirely treated (test positive at 9 months post-treatment), and may need an additional course of treatment. Should this dog fail the treatment, it will be the adopter's responsibility financially to pursue this treatment with their veterinarian. The shelter provides a 5-day health guarantee for adopted animals. This includes health conditions not present or known about by the shelter at the of adoption, which adopter becomes aware of within 5 days. Injuries or accidents that occur at the adopter's home are not covered. The shelter is not responsible for incurred costs from local veterinarians due to non-compliance. ALL adoptions are final! Animals can be returned to the shelter for any reason, however, there are NO refunds or exchanges.