Prince came from a shelter in Alabama. The shelter staff said that he had severe heartworms plus a heart condition. He was surrendered to the shelter by his owners but they did not give any indication that Prince was so sick. We are working with an Athens, Georgia vet that is using a different approach to treating severe heartworms, breaking the treatments into multiple, smaller doses over a longer time period. This approach has been successful for other rescuers and we hope that because of Prince's senior age, it will be easier for him to recover from this procedure.

Click Prince's picture to enlarge

From Kelly at the Tuscaloosa, Alabama Metro Animal Shelter

Prince is a very sweet boy. The info I got from the vet stated that he has severe heartworms and has a heart condition. It states that he is prone to pulmonary thrombi as well as right-sided failure. He has severe enlargement of the pulmonary arteries and that his lungs also show interstitial changes and infiltration. What all these words are, not quite sure. He was just seen about this in June of this year and the vet recommended restricted activity for 6-8 weeks. He was never treated for the heartworms. The people who turned him in, did not give us any knowledge of this (as usual).

Alice's Prince Update - July 25

I took Prince and Angel both for their first HW treatment today. I took them to a new vet on the other side of Athens from me. Much closer than some of the other vets I have tried. I took the paperwork on Prince and the vet recognized the Alabama DVM that wrote him up and said he is an authority on HW treatment. She did bloodwork on Angel and gave them both an injection with an appointment in a month for both to have their second and third shots.

So far so good... She also recommended I give them one aspirin per day.

Alice's Prince Update - July 29

Well, I have to admit its been scary! I have Prince in my kitchen crate so I can keep an eye on him and take him out when needed and so he can stretch his legs. The first couple of days he would hardly eat and started getting the runs. I wanted to give him aspirin, but with nothing in his stomach it didn't seem very smart. I did give him the Metro stuff to help his colon. He was getting so weak he was weaving as he walked. He is eating more now, but not a great amount. I even fed him ham to get him to perk up, and I am sure the salt helped.

This morning he is better, and it is gradual. He is such a good old guy he is cooperating all the way and I am so grateful! We pet him and love him as much as we can after potty breaks to keep him feeling positive. I would appreciate as many prayers as you all can send for him!

Alice's Prince Update - August 21

Prince has taken a turn that is not positive. Tomorrow he is/was due to have the first of his last two HW injections, however, due to recent developments, I think that will either be put off or permanently postponed.

Prince has had some balancing problems with my kitchen floor since getting here, but just today, this morning I heard him crashing around in his crate so went to investigate and found him unable to stand up. I put a rubber mat in underneath his rugs to help. I let him out on the floor and he kept slipping and trying to walk on bent paws. I took him outside and he weaved around drunkenly. I applied corn syrup to his gums as per David, and it may have helped, but he is still having some trouble with his balance.

After eating the 5 o'clock meal I helped him outside and he seemed better but was afraid to come up the steps as he had slipped earlier today. I carried him in (he only weighs 41 lbs!) and set him safely in his crate again. Any and all prayers for Prince would be really terrific.

Alice's Prince Update - August 22

I borrowed a car this afternoon and took Prince to the vet. It's another new vet, this time in Winterville. She had given Prince his first HW injection, and previous to that I had never met her. I like her and this is a great development as I seldom like the vets I have been to!

She confirmed that he had a stroke, effecting the left side of his body, and that he is very confused and cannot understand why he doesn't have better control. I have to carry him up the deck steps and into the house after he goes out to eliminate and I have to help him out of the crate and onto the deck so he can get to the yard. In the parking lot and when we got home he circled me and tied me up in his leash. He flattens on linoleum or any slick surface and does much better on dirt, grass, concrete or carpet. He does try, and I think he is frightened.

She gave him a shot of Dexamethasone and two scripts for Prednisone and Acepromazine to help calm him down and help him sleep. We are hoping that he takes a positive turn by Monday. It could go either way, so healing light and prayers would help!

Prince is great old guy... I am proud to know him. To protect myself emotionally I have prepared for events to go either way.

Alice's Prince Update - August 22

Prince passed away tonight at about 9:10 PM. He had fallen into a coma before 6 PM after struggling all day long. We sat with him and petted and held him until he drew his last breath, and I swear to you that he knew he was loved.

We will bury him next to 16 year old Sammy "Zoid" who passed away only a few months ago. In the 6 weeks that he was here he was an easy tenant, affectionate and sweet and a wonderful, grateful guy. Unforgettable and now more than ever because he will be buried here on the farm, in a place of honor.

Prince, stay with me, Buddy, and be my guardian angel! I will always listen to your advice.

Love,
Alice

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