Radar’s Future

For those of you who haven’t “met” Radar yet, you can read our introductory post here.

Radar’s future is – as far as we’re concerned – decided. He is our boy; and we are his family. Forever. Always. Infinitely. No questions asked.

He has been a joy to have around the house these last 4 weeks! He’s easy-going, happy, active, smart, and adaptable.

When hubby and I were away from home last week – visiting family – we left Ducky and Radar at home in the very capable, reliable care of our long-time pet sitters. Radar adapted to the change in his routine and our absence quite well. Ducky was another story, but she’s fine now so not to worry.

Now that Radar has settled into his new life – life with people and a canine sister who love him – he will be starting his treatment for heartworm disease next Tuesday (11/12/19). So I’m asking for your prayers, POTP, healing energies, or whatever you call it that he will recover quickly and safely.

Heartworm disease is scary, complicated, and can have lifelong effects on a dog’s overall health. Even after the infection itself has been successfully treated – resulting in a negative test return – the damage to the dog’s cardiovascular system can be permanent.

Thanks to the American Heartworm Society website for the following information!

The treatments are preceded by an antiobiotic protocol of doxycycline to kill any bacteria which live in the heartworms. Those nasty bacteria are what help the worms survive and reproduce. They also may cause worsening inflammation when the adult heartworms die. By giving the antibiotic prior to the medication to kill the adult heartworms, the likelihood of complications from the treatment is decreased, and the chance for complete elimination of the infection is optimized.

Radar has also been getting his monthly Heartgard preventive to kill immature heartworms and prevent new infections from developing.

Meanwhile, I’ve had Radar to his vet a few times about other minor issues, and each time she has checked his “vitals”. His heart and lungs have sounded good each time so we’re hopeful that the treatments will work and Radar won’t have any future issues.

To learn more about heartworm treatment, go to the AHS’s website at the above link.

Hubby and I will have to be vigilant in our observation and care of Radar during his recovery. We will have to watch (and listen) for coughing, gagging, vomiting, diarrhea, and/or loss of appetite. And we will have to continue to restrict Radar’s exercise in order to minimize complications. We let him play with Ducky a little bit now, but he will have to be on complete crate rest once the treatments start. This is because when the adult worms die, they collapse and are pushed deeper into the smaller branches of the vessels that supply blood to the lungs. Since exercise increases blood flow to the lungs, it increases the likelihood that dead worms will block blood flow which can result in severe complications and possibly death. Makes it pretty obvious that we need to restrict Radar’s activity. We love this boy, and he’s even won Ducky over, so we’re going to do all we can to get him healthy and keep him healthy.

So, we thank you in advance for your POTP, prayers, and good wishes for Radar as he starts his heartworm treatments. We will keep you posted on his progress.

17 thoughts on “Radar’s Future”

    • My Golden Life says:

      Aw, thanks Monika!!! And thank you Sam and Elsa!! We are grateful for Radar, too. He has brought us so much joy in the short time he’s been with us. And Ducky? OMD, she has really taken to him! It took her a few weeks to accept the fact that he’s here to stay; but now she’s sharing most of her toys with him willingly.

      Liked by 1 person

  2. My GBGV Life says:

    Sure hope the treatment goes well and he is able to live a long and healthy life. We have never known anyone with heartworm, so this is all new info for us that we hope to never need. He is in our thoughts.

    Liked by 1 person

    • My Golden Life says:

      Thank you All!!!! Until Radar joined our little family, I’d never known any dogs with heartworm either. But I believe not only will we all get through this; but also that getting through it together will make us and our bond stronger.

      Like

  3. fruitcrmble says:

    Heartworm treatment is certainly rough both on the dog itself as well as the others involved. My thoughts will be with you all. best wishes for an easy as possible journey on the pathway ahead. I have no doubt that you will be with Radar along the way.

    Liked by 1 person

  6. Jan K says:

    It’s definitely a scary thing! Radar landed in the right home to be getting the best care possible and lots and lots of love! We hope all goes well and you all get through this easily and without too much stress. ♥ We’ll be thinking of you and sending best thoughts all along the way. We’re so happy he has settled in, that should make all of this hopefully easier.

    Liked by 1 person

    • My Golden Life says:

      Thanks, Jan!!! We appreciate every ounce of support!!

      I have faith in Radar’s vet (the rescue group uses a different veterinary hospital than I do), faith in Radar himself, faith in us, and faith in the divine intervention that brought Radar to us. I believe he will come through this with flying colors. ❤️💙

      Like

  7. Dakota/Caren/Cody says:

    We are sooo happy that Radar is doing so well in your home, so happy! And…sending TONS of POTP that his heartworm treatment will be good and we pray there are NO lasting effects! Sending lots of love!

    Liked by 1 person

    • My Golden Life says:

      Thank you all so much! I’ve “known about” heartworm disease since my sweet Kissy was a pup – and have always given my dogs their preventives – but until now I didn’t realize just how vitally important those preventives are to my dogs’ health. And how equally important it is to not miss a dose.

      Like

Comments are closed.