Prepping Rex

Rex went to the vet today. He's going to be treated for heartworms but he's still in the preparation stage, taking a big dose of doxycycline twice a day. He's not objecting to the pills because I'm hiding them in about half a can of canned food mixed in with his dry food. He may object when I try to stop feeding the canned food, but for now he's pretty happy. Rex is bunking with Sherman, who is also taking doxy and getting canned food, so having them together makes it easier. Both boys are eating their own food and not going after the other's, so it's working out well.

Rex was sweet and friendly with the vet. It was very nice to take in a dog who didn't require a muzzle (Trooper or Sparky) or sedation (Vince). Rex's former owners may not have provided him with all the care that he needed, but it does appear that they raised a well-socialized dog.

The vet did detect a minor heart murmur, but couldn't tell if that was a congenital condition or if it was due to the heartworms. It was very minor in any event, and hopefully the treatment to resolve it completely.

The heartworm treatment protocol has changed since I last went through it with a foster. The first injection will be given on September 11th, followed by two more over two days, around mid-October. It's going to take a while, but we will see that Rex gets through this. When he's ready for adoption, he's going to make someone a very happy and lucky adopter.