Guardian Angels remove financial barriers to pets finding a good home. ![]() Through gifts ranging from $2.00 to $1,500 every dollar can make a difference, Guardian Angels have helped the Spartanburg Humane Society cover the cost of treatment for conditions like heartworm disease, when the financial burden would otherwise be passed on to potential adopters. In actuality, the financial demands of providing excellent care for nearly 7,000 animals a year and the extra cost of special veterinary treatments limit our ability to meet unique medical needs. People often assume that because the Spartanburg Humane Society has an in-house veterinary clinic we also have the resources to treat all sick or injured animals regardless of their condition. The Guardian Angel fund was established by Spartanburg Humane Society staff, volunteers, and friends as a way to cover expenses for treatment above and beyond the regular veterinary services animals receive while in our care. With these extra costs covered, each of these dogs was able to find a loving home. Treatment was paid for through our special Guardian Angel fund. Zeth, Duke, Katey, Oscar, Snowball, Sandy, Maggie, and many others were successfully treated for heartworm at the Spartanburg Humane Society Veterinary Clinic. Some pets may die before an owner is even aware there is a problem.įACT: Prevention can cost as little as $5 a month, which is cheap considering the alternative - the expense of treatment or the heartbreak of the loss of your pet. Pets often don’t show symptoms until the worms have caused significant damage to their internal organs. I would know if he had such a deadly disease.įACT: Heartworm has been called a silent killer. In some cases the process can cost up to $1,000.00 or more! No approved treatment exists for cats. In some cases, multiple treatments are necessary before the infection is cured. MYTH: Heartworm disease is easy to treat with a pill that can be purchased at places like Wal-Mart and pet storesįACT: In dogs, treatment for heartworm is very involved and must be performed at a veterinary clinic.MYTH: Cats aren’t at risk for heartworm disease.įACT: While the disease is different in cats than in dogs, your feline friends are at risk, too.MYTH: Heartworm prevention is optional.įACT: Your pets are at serious risk for heartworm disease, especially here in the South! Heartworm testing and prevention should always be included in your annual pet care plan.Pet owners should discuss the proper product selection for their pet and dose timing with their veterinarian.All of these methods are extremely effective, and when administered properly on a timely schedule, heartworm infection can be completely prevented. There are a variety of options for preventing heartworm infection in cats, including daily and monthly tablets and monthly topicals.Infected cats may die acutely without allowing time for diagnosis or care. This syndrome is known as Heartworm Associated Respiratory Disease (HARD). Chronic clinical signs include vomiting, gagging, difficulty breathing or rapid breathing, lethargy and weight loss.Cats may exhibit clinical signs that are very non-specific, mimicking many other feline diseases.For cats, as for dogs, clinical signs of heartworm disease may not be recognized in the early stages, as heartworms tend to accumulate gradually over a period of months and sometimes years and after repeated mosquito bites.Feline heartworm disease develops when a cat is bitten by a mosquito carrying microscopic heartworm larvae (juvenile worms) of a parasite called Dirofilaria immitis.Treatment for heartworm disease is expensive, lengthy, and traumatic.Heartworm can be diagnosed with a simple blood test. ![]() This is a life-threatening situation that prompts surgical removal of the worms. “Caval Syndrome,” a form of liver failure, is also a potential serious complication, causing dogs to become weak very rapidly and turning their urine dark brown.Severe cases of the disease may lead to heart and lung failure, most often recognized by a “swollen belly” caused by accumulation of fluid in the abdomen.Very active or working dogs can show the above clinical signs of disease with only a few worms present.Heavily infected dogs may eventually show clinical signs which include persistent cough, reluctance to move or exercise, tiredness after only moderate exercise, reduced appetite, and weight loss.Recently infected dogs may exhibit no signs of the disease. Clinical signs of heartworm disease may not be recognized in the early stages, as heartworms tend to accumulate gradually over a period of months and sometimes years after repeated mosquito bites.Canine heartworm disease develops when a dog is bitten by a mosquito carrying microscopic heartworm larvae (juvenile worms) of a parasite called Dirofilaria immitis.
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