When times get tough

I haven't posted in awhile, things have been a little crazy but seem to be getting busier so I'll be adjusting to the new schedules.

In other news,   Carlos was diagnosed with heartworms in July, 2012.  It was determined that he couldn't be treated with the "fast kill" method to treat heartworms. So we've been doing the "slow kill" method.  The reason this method is reserved for animals that won't survive or can't be treated with the fast-killing immiticide is because it takes up to two years to actually have the animal be heartworm free. In the meantime, there is still damage being done to the heart, lungs, and renal system. Unfortunately for Carlos the damage is getting worse. While the heartworm larvae are now dead, he has an enlarged heart and damage to his lungs and enlarged kidneys. He's being put on medication to help his heart beat easier.

I work for a veterinary clinic, I volunteer with animal rescue (and have for 9 years), and I've studied heartworm in the classroom.  I've seen heartworm in my patients and in past foster dogs. However, nothing really prepares someone when it's suddenly personal. When I learned that Carlos had a lot of damage to his heart, it felt like my heart was bleeding for him. I was talking to a good friend who pointed out that I have 4 animals with "special needs" that require me to adjust my life for.  However, I immediately began to defend their independence and realized how right I was.  Other than adjusting my home with minor adjustments to avoid injury, my pets have adapted to my lifestyle. Why should this be any different I asked myself. It is one more bump in the road and with my help, Carlos can overcome it.  If he doesn't then at least we didn't give up.

For those of you wondering "how can you see when a heart is enlarged?" This is an x-ray of Carlos' chest. His head would be facing left in this image while he was lying on his side. The top is his spine, and inside his rib cage is his heart and lungs. The lungs are usually clear, his are very congested due to the heart problems. His heart is the large round organ in the center of the image. There are many ways to tell if a heart is enlarged, one "rough" way to determine this is to count the spaces between the ribs, the heart should be about two rib spaces. Carlos is at three and a half.