Question:
Okay, so this last summer I got Taffy tested for heartworm and she tested positive. I've been waiting for the money to get her treated, so today I had her tested again (because there was a 1/1000 chance that it was a false positive with the reading she got back--low antigen level, no microfileria) and she was negative! I'm going to test her again in a few months just to make sure, but the vet said he couldn't find a trace of heartworm in the test. I sat there for five minutes, trying to wrap my mind around it. He was like, "The test came back negative" and my reaction was "What, you mean she's not HW positive?" I think he thought I was just a little on the crazy side...*happy dance* Now I can go ahead and get her spayed and get her teeth cleaned--there was no way I was putting her through surgery with HW. W00T!


Answer:
That's great news! How old is Taffy?


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That is great news. Our Lila went through treatment when she first came to us. It was very scary. I thought she would die. She was so sick for days. She just went back Tuesday for her 1year check and still negative! I was so glad I even forgave her for how ugly she acted at the vet! I hope everything turns out well for Taffy!


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Good to hear... Hope to see pics.


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She'll be 8 in April--another reason I was reluctant to put her through the treatment. They also said I could wait three years and the HWs would die, but she'd be 10 by then! So I'm glad...now I just worry that I got a false negative I'll test again this summer--best 2 out of 3 I'll believe.


Answer:
Did you just get her? Is that why she's only being spayed now?

I have been thinking about getting my cat's teeth cleaned (he's 5) but the vet thinks that I can wait for a few years. Hopefully I can get him to start eating some raw stuff to keep them looking their best. It's great that you can have them done while she's already under for the spay.


Answer:
*nervous look around* No, I got her when she was a puppy. In my defense, I've only been living and dealing with my animals on my own for 6 months or so--maybe 8--about the same time I got her tested. My mother never spayed her dogs (never dealt with HW medication either), so we didn't get Taffy done when she was a pup, and I've been putting it off because of the HW thing. So now, as soon as I have the money, I'm getting her done (shouldn't take too long).


Answer:
That's right, I remember you mentioning that you had just started the dogs on the raw diet. How old are you? (If you don't mind me asking)


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Nope, don't mind. Just turned 20 on Jan. 1.


Answer:
I also helped my parents out with our dog. He had been on Nutro for his whole life which we thought was a great food (and it is good). Most of the major stores around here didn't carry any of the really high end brands, like Innova, Solid Gold, Wysong, etc. so we didn't know there was anything better. Once I started doing more research, we switched him to Canidae Platinum and now he's eating Foundations Senior. The forums that I visit have helped me a lot. I'm glad that they are open to suggestions and open to learning about the different types of foods and what really goes into them. The first time my dad went into the Barking Lot to get food, I gave him specific instructions on what brands to get (for his wet food). I guess when he got to the till, the clerk mentioned something about, "Nothing but the best for your dog!" and my dad started laughing. He knew that I was right (and not a crazy cat lady!).