 Bringing Hope to Taffy
Taffy was barely a year old, but she taught us all a lesson about the importance of giving dogs preventative medication for heartworm disease. At only 18 pounds, Taffy’s petite body was fighting off these parasitic worms that regular medical treatment could have prevented.
When she was surrendered to the Wisconsin Humane Society, Taffy was given a full medical exam, which included being tested for heartworm. Taffy tested positive and was immediately given medications to kill the heartworm. The treatment was administered over a few days and Taffy had to wait for her body to clear out the dead worms. For many weeks, she needed to remain inactive as her system expelled the worms. Exertion could have caused the dead worms to dislodge, pass to the lungs and cause respiratory failure, then death. Taffy needed short-term monitoring after this initial dosage; more medication is sometimes needed after the first treatment. Without the discovery of Taffy’s heartworm disease, however, she would have surely died at a very young age.
Taffy is a beautiful little dog with a huge heart. She kept close to WHS staff members and loved to have the veterinarians and volunteers visit her. Thanks to donations to help Taffy, the expense of her treatment was covered. Soon after, Taffy was adopted into a loving home.
Update 12/28/2007
Taffy is doing great in her new home! Her new name is Wynne. Wynne's family reports that she hardly ever barks, is facinated by ice cubes and has a fleece security blanket that she carries everywhere. She also visited her new grandpa in the nursing home and was a big hit with everyone there. Way to go, Wynne! We're so happy that you are home.
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