Heartworm and Prevention
This page is dedicated to the memory of Fred ATB 2.23.26.
His story is below. 
OBHR requires all applicants to have kept all current and previous dogs on HW prevention and tested yearly to make sure that they are not infected.
Many folks disagree and argue with our rule.
We are not vets, but we operate under the advice of not one but many vets, not only those who help us in the rescue but our own personal vets who care for our own beloved pets. The following info is based on info we have gotten from them and from too many dogs who came into our rescue HW positive and suffered from it. Not all of them lived.
What is Heartworm? Heartworm is a parasitic disease affecting animals. It is spread by mosquitos that transmit larvae from a sick animal to a new one. They are basically worms that live in your dog's heart and kill it by strangling the heart and lungs from the inside.
How long does it take to know your dog has Heartworm after infection? It takes about 6 months for a dog to show a positive test result which is why yearly testing is so important to catch it early.
How is Heartworm treated? We will try to keep it short. Over the span of several months an infected dog is given oral meds, then shots, and more oral meds to kill the parasites. They must be kept very calm as excitement and exercise during this time can cause death due to damage to the heart and lungs. After several months the dog must be rechecked for heartworm as severe cases may take more than one treatment.
Is Heartworm preventable? YES!!! Giving dogs Heartworm prevention GREATLY reduces the risk of them getting this horrible disease.
Things we hear:
I don't let me dogs drink standing water so I don't need to give them HW prevention! FALSE! Heartworm is not spread by drinking infected water, it is spread by mosquito BITES. Drinking standing water can cause other intestinal issues, but not heartworm!
I don't give them prevention year-round because I live in a place where it gets cold and snows. NO! Even in the winter we get some warm days that will activate bugs even if for a day or two. Plus they can even come in your home and live in plants, garages, etc.
I don't give them heartworm prevention because I have several dogs and I can't afford it! Heartworm prevention is essential and, like dog food, you should only have the amount of pets you can afford to feed and give proper vet care.
My vet doesn't recommend heartworm prevention! Get a new vet. Seriously.
We have them tested once a year, so we don't need prevention! Testing only lets you know if you dog is infected, and it will not show positive until about 6 months after infection.
I use organic methods to prevent heartworm. Not something we accept. There may be befits to organic methods, however prescription HW meds have proven track results in preventing HW and many companies stand behind their products and will pay for your dog's treatment if their product does fail.
I buy my heartworm prevention over the counter! Not what we accept. HW treatment is a prescription and needs to be prescribed by a vet and filled at a reputable animal pharmacy.
We take the vet care that our dogs receive seriously! Please respect our rules as they are based on years of experience as well as seeing dogs suffer and lose their lives needlessly!
The story of Fred
This is the picture of Fred that showed up on a Facebook post. The details at this time are not relevant. Long story short, Fred, a senior basset needed to be rehomed.
Several people tagged us in the post. Being short on fosters we didn't know what we could do. We have to kennel many of our rescue dogs because not enough people are willing to help foster. A kennel is no place for a senior dog.
Then one of our fosters reached out, if you pull the dog I will foster it, she said. And with that, we had her reach out and let them know OBHR will take on Fred's care.
Fred was dropped off at our vet by our volunteer a few days later on a Sunday. Fred stunk. Bad. Fred had been living his life outside. No vet care. On a chain. A huge uncomfortable collar. Nails so long it had to be painful to walk. Fred got a bath! Fred got a good meal! They sent pics of Fred in a nice clean, warm kennel. He already looked like he had a smile on his face!
One thing about heartworm is because it affects the heart and lungs, exercise, anxiety, stress will make things worse. The next morning Fred had his vet check. She was concerned because Fred was displaying labored breathing. They put Fred on oxygen while they did more testing. Chest X-ray. Heartworm test. Heartworm tests are normally sent out to a lab as the small heartworms are not very visible under a microscope. Fred's heartworms were so advanced they were visible. And very big. That means he had been heartworm positive for a VERY long time. A young healthy dog would have a hard time fighting at this stage of the disease.
Fred was estimated to be about 9-10 years old. Not fixed. Probably hadn't seen a vet in years, if ever.
Fred was in distress and getting worse. Heartworm is a very painful disease. Fred was not able to breathe and his heart could not beat well.
Surrounded by many folks who love animals, loved Fred even though he was not their personal dog, surrounded by love....Fred was released to run free at the rainbow bridge, where he is young, healthy, and happy again! Where he doesn't have to worry about being in pain or hungry. Fred was a part of OBHR for one day. But he left a hole in the hearts of so many people!
We see it all too often in rescue. People failed Fred. Just like they fail so many other dogs by not providing essential vet care. Not training them properly. Not keeping them safe. People failed Fred.
Thankfully people also helped him! Our volunteers, our kennel staff, our vet. After so many people failed him, they stepped in to help him! Unfortunately for Fred, help came too late.
Please learn from Fred. Please give your dog heartworm prevention. Please make sure your pets are spayed and neutered. Please keep them up to date on all shots. Simply put, if you cannot or will not do these things.....you do not need a dog.