Mon 23rd March: Heartworm again

Little poodle girl Candy 

The three new dogs arrived from AFCD Sheung Shui today, two of them small and the same age at six-plus, so quite likely from the same home.  There was another clue as to this being the case as both tested positive for heartworm, and once again I can't say it enough times - if you don't protect your dogs against this mosquito-borne disease then it's almost inevitable that they will be infected.  In the early stages a dog won't show any signs of having worms in the heart, but as time goes by and the worms multiply, which they do, then the heart becomes completely full of "spaghetti" with serious consequences.   Treatment is two or three injections in the back of an arsenic-based worm killer, and while it's very effective the dead worms are still in the heart for four to six weeks until they break down.  During that period it's very important that the dog is kept quiet, meaning no long walks or playing, or any activity that raises the blood pressure which could send bits of worm debris to vital organs causing death.

Schnauzer Fergus 

Both of these lovely dogs are available for adoption anyway and the treatment will be arranged, so if you're interested please complete the adoption questionnaire if not already done: www.hongkongdogrescue.com/adopt/adoption-questionnaire/

The third new dog today is a gorgeous young female with a non-stop wagging tail.  She went to Tai Po where her stay will hopefully be very short.

Jasmine is a beautiful young girl now at Tai Po Homing Centre

Very sadly our French bulldog Romeo was returned from his short-lived foster home so he's once again in need of a new place to go.  His problem is very typical of the breed and that's not being good with other dogs resulting in him having to be kept separated at the Homing Centre.  This isolation has made him angry and frustrated, so we are very honest about the need for patience and understanding, and giving Romeo time to relax and unwind.  When he first came to us he was a very sweet boy apart from his dog-dog behaviour, so we know how lovely he can be.  Ideally he'll go to a single parent home with some outside space when he can play and run around, or a quiet neighbourhood where he can be walked without coming across lots of other dogs.  His exercise needs are minimal because he has fused pads on his feet meaning they get sore if he's walked on a hard surface for too long,  so will anyone give him a chance?

Romeo is a sweet boy who's currently sad and depressed