Found a stray...just what we need. Haha.

[Formula86]

Thanks, everyone.

Unfortunately, we got back some bad test results. Not only does Callie have "several different intestinal parasites" (as the vet put it), but she is heartworm positive. I'm so upset. Not so much about the parasites, although, who knows what kind they are. I haven't been able to talk to the vet because they called when I was at work, and I got out of work too late. They didn't call Jim like they said they would (as a backup number).

I don't know what to do. I look at her, and I'm just heartbroken. I know this isn't necessarily "the end", but I'm still so worried. On top of that, we are seriously broke. However, you guys know me - I will make her treatment happen. I was possibly planning on taking out a loan from the bank for Lasik. A few hundred bucks more won't matter right? But I still don't know if we're going to be able to do that. I may do what another member on here did - set up a fund for Callie through Paypal (not associated with Paw-Talk). See if we can get any help.

So yah, I'll update you guys more when I talk to the vet tomorrow. Please keep Callie in your thoughts. I'll post some more pictures soon.

[Nikko]

Wow, how in the world did I miss this thread? That's so awesome that you took her in. I'm so sorry about the bad news, hopefully she'll be okay. What exactly is heartworm? Can they cure it?

[Formula86]

Thanks.

It's possible to cure it, however, nothing is for sure. http://www.heartwormsociety.org/article.asp?id=11 <---That link might help.

[Angelnstuff]

I'm so sorry for your bad news poor puppy. I dont really know much about heartworm either, but I hope she gets better soon!

[mulder]

awww hun im so sorry you got bad news! but its good you took her in to get tested, at least now you know. i wish you the best, i hope you find a way to help the pup

[marmilla]

Maybe you can get some shelters to help you. If worse comes to worse though... at least she's in a nice warm home with kind people. Keep that in mind. I really hope she can kick it! She looks like a tough cookie.

[Formula86]

Thanks, everyone.

Things look good for Callie. Here's the update:

I talked to the vet. He said that for the worms (three different kinds), we would just do a simple liquid medication once a month for three months. Not too a big a deal there.
About the heartworms - because Callie is asymptomatic and healthy otherwise, he is thinking that it's not a bad case of HWs (heartworms). He said there is new research out from the American HW Society that says: dogs treated with HW preventative for three months prior to treatment have a better chance at beating HWs. This is because the preventative (such as Heartguard) weakens the worms and makes killing them with treatment easier. So because Callie is asymptomatic (no pain or anything) and healthy otherwise, that's what we will be doing. She will do that for three months (taking Heartguard), and we'll make sure she has no worms, and *then* do HW treatment. In the meantime, she can be as active as she wants. Yah! She only has to be calm and all that when we start the actual treatment three months from now (dead worms can break off into other areas of the body, such as lungs, with lots of jostling).
We will have her spayed either before she starts HW treatment or after. We'll reexamine the topic in three months.
We have to get the worms and mange all cleared up before spaying and HW treatment.

So that's the update! Things are not as bad as I thought. The vet said he's seen lots of dogs worse off than her beat HWs. And he's seen good results in doing three months of HW preventative before treatment.

We are very hopeful and positive about this. Please keep your for her!

[LuvMeTrue]

I am glad things are looking so bright for her. You have a big heart. Good luck with everything

[Formula86]

Thank you!

Here are some more pics.

Airing out her vajayjay:


The "twins":


Callie butt! She was getting a ball under the futon.


Penny and Callie - Synchronized Sleeping, Professional Level:


Hope you liked them!

[Punxatawny]

nice butt shot

[Formula86]

Callie says, "Thanks! I've been doing Buns of Steel. I wasn't sure if it was noticable, but I guess it is! Woo!"

[Punxatawny]

[storminstaffs]

glad the heartworm isn't as bad as it could of been and great new pictures of her, she's a lucky girl

[Dragonrain]

aww she's so cute! She's lucky you found her. I'm glad the HW's arn't too bad. Give her some belly rubs from me

[Formula86]

Thanks, guys!!!