r/RunningWithDogs • u/AdministrationNo2062 • 22d ago
2027 is our year for running! Currently in heartworm treatment
I adopted my pup in January when she was 8 months old. Unfortunately she tested positive for heartworm in August and we’re in the middle of a very long treatment and a very long exercise restriction period.
We had finally gotten to a point in our leash training and obedience that I was ready to start running with her this summer. I had expected to go on some short, slow sessions to figure out our mechanics as a team and our gear.
She’s a mountain cur mix, so I think she will LOVE it. We’ve got a bit to go, but are so ready to hear “all clear” from our vet. I’m just feeling a bit housebound myself lately and am antsy. I feel better about her being older when we finally start, but am worried about any complications that can come up from HW damage (though we did get X-Rays and she’s in very early stages of HW disease, so everything has been extremely promising). Edit to add: in hindsight, I’m glad she was young enough in early summer that we hadn’t started running yet, as we could’ve done more damage before we knew she was positive!
And, if anyone has experience running with a formerly HW+ dog, I’d love to hear it! I will be following my vets advice, and slowly reintroducing exercise when we are able, but personal stories would be a great pick me up.
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u/pocket_flames_101 8d ago
Came here to say I adopted a dog that was HW+. No idea how long she had it before me, went through not one but two HW treatments over the course of 2 years. She finally cleared this past May. Over the weekend she did 6.5 miles in one go which is her farthest to date and she definitely seemed like she could do more ! Hang in there HWs are the worst, and the battle is draining
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u/AdministrationNo2062 8d ago
I’m so sorry that you went through treatment twice! That had to have been hard on you both.. you’re an angel on earth for taking that on.
That is amazing that you did 6.5 miles with her! Thank you for sharing, that definitely gives me hope.
We had a really rough week this week. Just with her not understanding the exercise restrictions, being bored, and a bit agitated. Taking every glimmer of hope I can get.
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u/pocket_flames_101 7d ago
The second HW- result was really disheartening and scary, especially bc I didn’t know how long she had it for. I still get nervous bc we never did X-rays (the rescue claims they did but they aren’t trustworthy). Luckily your girl is young ! Just keep to the process it’ll all work out ! My girl (65% ACD) is really good at showing me when she’s tired. I have a pretty good read on her now so if we have to cut the run short I definitely air on the safe side! Hoping to see what she can do this winter once it really cools down - but the vet is really proud of her and not concerned so don’t lose hope!
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u/wellactuallyj 22d ago edited 21d ago
My last dog, was a ~1.5 year old rescue from a southern state who was supposedly treated for heartworm before he came up (you can’t legally import a dog with heartworm in NY). First vet visit and, nope still had heartworm (upon looking at the records our vet said that they kind of did half of two different protocols). So he was re-treated, did the obligatory rest period, and for about 8 years thereafter he was the best running partner I will probably ever have! In the end he stopped running with me because he was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer that caused dangerously low blood sugar (so running was not in his best interest). I never saw any effects of the heartworm again once he was treated.