Veterinarians therefore advise to protect their four-legged pets as a precaution when traveling abroad. The treatment of the disease is extremely demanding and lengthy. In addition, a sick dog spreads the infection further. Mosquitoes are carriers of the unpleasant parasite. When a mosquito sucks blood from a dog, it infects it with germs that develop inside the animal’s body into adult worms over the course of several months. They can reach a length of up to 30 cm. The adults of the parasites subsequently produce new larvae, which enter the body of other dogs through the mosquito.
Mrs. Kateřina (44) from Česká Lípa also has experience with heartworm in her female Fíbí. She brought her animal friend from the dog shelter, where they were told that she was suffering from so-called heartworm and had to be treated. “However, no one knew at the time how serious Phoebe’s condition was,” recalls Kateřina.
Phoebe, the worms nested in her lungs
The disease, professionally called cardiac dirofilariasis, is caused by a dog parasite that Fíbí contracted in Romania, where she comes from. As a result of the infection, worms grew in the female’s body and nested in her lungs. “It didn’t deter us from adopting. No dog is to blame for the conditions it comes from. Fíbí was lucky that the workers of the shelter in Romania found her and took her to the Czech Republic, where she could start treatment.” describes Kateřina, who works as a nurse.
A week after the adoption, Fíbí underwent check-up tests at the doctor, but they did not turn out well. Even after a month, her samples for heartworm were positive. At that time, Phoebe had an occasional cough and was urinating often. “The doctor we went to recommended us to see another doctor – a specialist in veterinary cardiology. She examined Phoebe and told us that she had to undergo another treatment as soon as possible or she would die.” says Kateřina. She agreed without hesitation to the proposed therapy and its payment in the order of tens of thousands.
However, it was not possible to find a suitable drug in the country, so Kateřina and her daughter searched to see if it was available abroad. “In the end, we were very lucky, because our original veterinarian got hold of him through her well-known doctor from Slovakia,” describes Kateřina. After Phoebe received her first dose, her health did not improve. She had no appetite or drink and was breathing rapidly in addition to frequent urination.
“She was completely lifeless for several days. After a month, we went with her for the second injection, but when we left the office, Fíbí had an allergic attack – her eyes were red, swollen and she had trouble breathing. We immediately ran back to the doctor’s office.” describes Kateřina. The doctors therefore hospitalized her for several hours.
Treatment for 50 thousand
After being released, Phoebe was in great pain again. In addition, she had to receive the third, this time the last, dose of the medicine within 24 hours at the latest. Considering how the female suffered, Kateřina and her daughter considered whether to continue the treatment. “We were afraid of another bad reaction. But the doctors told us that we are already in the running and we should finish the treatment. Therefore, we finally agreed to the injection. Fíbí was also given anti-allergy medication together with her,” says Kateřina.
The female managed the last dose without complications, but the pain persisted. After a week, however, her condition began to change, Phoebe enjoyed life, she ate and drank better, and her urination also improved. “It took more than half a year for Phoebe to fully recover and finally become a happy dog. Although the treatment cost almost 50,000 crowns, I am very glad that we decided on it. She saved Phoebe’s life,” explains Kateřina, who is currently taking care of three other dogs in addition to Fíbí with her daughter.
Both highly appreciate the approach of the two veterinarians, who took care of the sick female and consulted each other about the treatment the entire time. “We are really very grateful to them. We cried several times in front of them because we felt so sorry for Phoebe. But they were patient, and thanks to the correct diagnosis and treatment, everything turned out well in the end.” says Kateřina.
Before traveling abroad, take medication, doctors advise
The doctors also warned her that if she wanted to travel with her animals to, for example, Slovakia, Hungary, Greece, Spain or Italy, where the incidence of heartworms is high, all her dogs should receive antiparasitic drugs before the trip, which prevent the development of the disease and they do not burden the dogs in any way.
“Based on my experience, I would recommend prevention to everyone – no one wants to see animals suffer. For that reason, my daughter and I decided to share the story of sick Phoebe with others,” concludes Kateřina.
Buddy experienced severe abuse as a puppy. But he didn’t resent people, in the shelter they raised him to be a great, obedient dog Katerina Lang
Fíbí’s treatment lasted more than half a year and cost 50,000 crowns.
Author: Mrs. Kateřina’s archive