Darci

[dobermom]

I have some bad new on Darci who use to be Stinky. We took her from the shelter to the Vet.
She rode well in the truck, was great for her exam. She weighs 83 pounds.

The bad news is she is showing a strong heart worm positive, and she is pregnant! I was convinced the other day when I looked at her, everyone else told me I was crazy.

Heres the issue...the last thing we need is another litter of puppies running around, BUT if I count back to the day before she came into the shelter that makes her 26 days preg. The question is who knows actually when she got preg., but I would have to say she is at least 26 days probably more.
To spay and abort is VERY risky due to her heart worm.

At this point I think we are going to let her have her babies.

I am open to anyones advice, and opinions.

[Bclover92]

oooh, man that poor old girl! Hope you can work everything out with her.

[Camberaoh]

oh jeez.. poor old girl. Whelping at that age and the heartworms! Here is my question.. since the pups are inside her are they going to get heartworms too?

[fairlight]

On NO!!!! and you were saying this dog is around 9 years old?

[dobermom]

No, that was a BIG question, they can get heartworm from mom.

The Vet has also guessed her to be about 5-6.

So, is letting her have the pups the right thing to do? I am so confused and overwhelmed at this point!

[borzoimom]

Oh Dear Lord.. Spaying HW postive .. Oh man- I would hate to make that call but with HW it will be hard on her to do a litter.. Jeez Doberman.. You can not treat her with the drugs if pregnant, and if needed a c section would loose her then. For her health, I would risk the spay. ( man .. ) With a good vet with good monitors etc, she would probably make it through the spay. Then she can start treatment for the HW.. Man Doberman- big hugs for big decissions.. whew..

[Camberaoh]

I dont know Dobermom, they will all come out sick with heartworms and how do you treat newborn pups for heartworm? Not to mention the stress from whelping on the mom with the heartworms. I was always told not to stress a dog with heartworms. Man.. i dont know what to say.

[Dignity]

Well, 5-6 is a whole lot better than 9!! Did the vet do Xrays on her to see the pups? Can she be treated for the heartworm she has? What a dilemma for her . I would say ask your vet for his risk assessment and advice on the matter. If it's too risky to abort, then let her have the pups.

If the pups would be heartworm pos though... that's a lot of treatment . It's a tough call!!

[borzoimom]

Originally Posted by dobermom

No, that was a BIG question, they can get heartworm from mom.

The Vet has also guessed her to be about 5-6.

So, is letting her have the pups the right thing to do? I am so confused and overwhelmed at this point!

I called my vet. ( there are 7 so got the top vet) He said the pups would be born with it, and with developing hearts they would not make it. He said he would " suggest a spay using light sedation. ". He also said while she is in embro ( meaning passing to the pups) it would have the worms grow faster killing her.. For her health in his opinion, there is not other option here..

[dobermom]

The pups CAN NOT get heartworm from mom.

I have spoke with my vet and a good friends vet, both say a spay is too risky for her.

I just want to do whats best for her.