Question by psttt: Do dogs with heartworms go obese?
Let me tell you Bertha’s story. Bertha is up for adoption at the humane society in my city. She is heartworm positive. She was rescued from a puppy mill a few months ago. She is 3 or 4 years old. She is obese, but not as much as this http://www.my-pet-medicine.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/05/dog-obese-chihuahua.jpg. She looks like the chihuahua in the picture.

The receptionists that have no medical training at the adoption center told me that she is obese because of heartworms. Please tell me that this is wrong. How can a dog get obese because of heartworms? I can imagine bloating in the stomach area only but this dog is fat all around. She is not lethargic. Does she have trouble getting up? Of course! What obese person doesn’t?!

They say because she is obese that she is probably in her last stages of heartworms. These people aren’t vets and know nothing. They’re trying to put Bertha down. Someone is willing to foster her so we can start the heartworm treatment (I am paying for the heartworm treatment, even as a broke college student with no job) and they’re talking about “yeah, she’s getting fat – we’re going to have to check her out.” You know what the animal shelter vets do to dogs with even the slightest health problem? They put them down, left and right! This dog is being fostered in a week or two, who CARES how bad the heartworms are…let’s at least TRY to treat her, right? The dog is obviously not suffering. She prances around for 3+ hours all the time in cute ballerina dresses and greets EVERYONE. she jumps on everyone and man, you have to see this dog. She is anything but sick. You would never think she came from a puppy mill because she is so friendly. She is the best dog I ever met…and I’ve met more than a thousand. After all, I work at an animal shelter!
By the way, when bertha was rescued from the puppy mill…she had 10 other chihuahua friends who were also rescued. All of these chihuahuas were put in a hugeee kennel together. So now just imagine 10 big bowls of cheap dry dog food in one room….a dog with a huge appetite is bound to free load off of all the food.

Best answer:

Answer by Dogmabitesmanonleg
It wouldn’t be just fat, unless she’s already spayed and/or has had a high fat diet. It would also be fluid buildup from congestive heart failure, from the worms blocking her heart function. Any fat would be from lack of activity, which in turn would be from lack of energy due to the decreased function of her heart. It’s a complicated sequence of cause & effect. She may have an underactive thyroid and should probably be tested for that. But only a vet can verify all of this. I’ll be honest and admit this is just an enlightened/experienced guess as to why she’s overweight.

Dogs in terminal heartworm stages LOSE weight, not gain it. I hope you can save her. There are homeopathic methods of treatment for heartworms, so you might want to check that out.

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Question by kaiors23: dogs hair is falling out in patches, dont have $ $ for vet. Not blotchy, just one spot. Pink. What is it?
its a bumpy , the spot itself is a large circle, the bumps are small ones like a rash. Any remedies? Is it ringworm>? Low on cash, cant go to vet.

Best answer:

Answer by caitiejx36
If you can’t afford to properly treat your animal, honestly, you shouldn’t have one. Really, it needs to see a vet.

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Question by chrissy: Suggestions for keeping meds on the dogs face?
My pup has a nasty case of ringworm on her face. I have applied the cream to her face to heal it, but she insists on licking it off. Unfortunately it is in a location that she can lick it off. I have tried to rub it in all the way, but she will lick away on that spot.

Best answer:

Answer by Maureen M
There are muzzle type devices that will prevent a dog from being able to lick. Check with your vet.

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Question by Panther: Dogs and Heartworms ….?
I live in Texas and when it rains, almost immediately afterwards any standing water outside is FULL of mosquito larva swimming around in it … my dogs favorite thinig to do is drink that standing water … i try and stay on it, by dumping out everything around the house but she gets into areas by neighbors places and such … i know infected mosquitos can cause heartworms, is this also true if they eat or drink larva ?
Yes, she has had her prevenitive medicine, however i would still like to know if the larva can be a problem

Best answer:

Answer by bob ©
the mosquito has to bite the dog in order for the dog to become infected.

good question though!

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Question by Deb: what kind of plants in hawaii are toxic to dogs?
we live on the big island of hawaii,in kapaau,we moved here in july,my blueheeler,kaya,has developed dry sores all over her body causing her fur to fall out in those areas,the vet tested for mange and ringworm but the tests came back negitive.the vet has no answers for me.

Best answer:

Answer by desertsphynx
Don’t get worried but most plants are toxic to dogs… But dogs are usually smarter than to mess with them.
Dry sores are odd. Have you seen any blisters or pus pockets before the sores?
Calamine lotion for the sores for now. Along with benedryl will help with inflammation that he has now. The benedryl dose is one tab for every 10 lbs. half tab for less than 10.

Skin issues aren’t usually caused by ingesting things, but typically from rubbing up against something. Also bugs may be a big issue. With the added moisture, bugs may be having a hayday in his fur.
Try giving him a garlic tablet once a week to help reduce bites. Many people believe garlic is bad for dogs, but this is true only in Extreme amounts. One tablet once a week will not harm your dog. Think about taking one a week for yourself, as to three a day for a week, too much is bad… The garlic deters biting insects so this may help him.
Watch him to see what he plays in. It could be water that he swims in. Because of the humidity, and the heat, you may want to give him a buzz cut for a little while until you know what is going on with his skin. Having a really thick coat holds in the humidity and the heat and allows bugs, bacteria, and fungi to grow in the fur next to the skin. With the fur falling out, it may be a reaction of the body to allow airflow.
If it is a fungal infection, it may not be ringworm but something else, the vet will have to help, but anti fungal creams may work but are hard on the dogs skin and can be toxic if licked off.

For now, treat the sores as if just scabs. Keep the benedryl going to relieve itch and any allergic reactions he’s having. Don’t let him lick them, keep them clean, and try a spray on bandage to keep them covered and dirt free. Good luck!

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