Rescue Dog Heartworm Treatment

Hi there - my name is Meg Boushie, and I am fundraising on behalf of my rescue dog, Kane. I adopted Kane from the Animal Care and Protective Services (ACPS) rescue in Jacksonville, Florida on February 1st, 2022. I was hoping to celebrate his first-ever "Gotcha Day" this year with his favorite activities of hikes, running around in the grass, splashing in the waves at the beach, and playing with his doggo and human friends. Instead, his first "Gotcha Day" will be spent in the veterinary hospital for his first round of intensive heartworm treatment.

For those of you unfamiliar with heartworm, it "is a parasitic roundworm that is a type of filarial worm, a small thread-like worm, that causes dirofilariasis. It is spread from host to host through the bites of mosquitoes... Heartworm infection may result in serious complications for the infected host if left untreated, eventually leading to death, most often as a result of secondary congestive heart failure." In other words, as the heartworm reproduces, it clogs the arteries of the heart, causing restricted blood flow, and thus oxygen, to the heart and lungs, and will result in death should it not be treated. Despite my diligence and consistency in giving Kane his monthly heartworm preventative medication since I first adopted him, he somehow contracted the disease and was diagnosed on January 4, 2023, during his annual checkup.

I am a first-time dog owner. I wanted a dog for years and waited until the time was right so I could responsibly provide the best home and have the finances to support one. Like a lot of rescue dog parents, I went into the ACPS on a whim with zero intention of taking home an animal that day. Then, of course, I fell in love with Kane the moment I saw him in his crate at the shelter. He is what I call "a leaner": he always wants to give and receive love, and will lean his whole body weight against your legs so you pet him. That day at ACPS, he leaned against the chain metal of his crate when I bent over to say hello, and I had a very emotional, visceral reaction. After walking through the shelter that day, and seeing over 300 dogs, he was the only one I experienced that reaction with. It was like I somehow knew he was my dog.

Kane had been through a lot of trauma before his time at ACPS. He was found abandoned in a house for an undetermined amount of time. ACPS estimated he was about one year and eight months when they found him and skeletally, he was fully grown. However, he weighed 24.1 pounds at his intake vet visit, and about 31 pounds when I was able to adopt him two weeks after he arrived at the shelter. For context, he now weighs in at a healthy 58 pounds. Kane was a very scared, sweet boy, who really wanted to love and be loved.

I knew the first year or two after adoption might not be easy for a rescue dog. Within two weeks of bringing Kane home and then to the vet, we discovered he had fleas. A few months later, a wild animal bit him when we were out on a hike. During his emergency vet visit, we discovered the puncture wound in his shoulder was three inches deep. He needed surgery, stitches, two weeks in a cone, and bed rest. Throughout the past year, I found that even though I have tried my best to give him a loving, safe home, the poor thing struggles with anxiety in loud or over-stimulating situations.

Kane and I could not be a better pairing. He has taught me so much about myself and brings me so much joy and comfort. He is such a loving, affectionate, snuggly, sweet boy. He loves his doggy training and thinks it is so much fun. He knows commands like Sit, Shake, Down, Off, Sit Pretty, and Spin. We have been working on Roll Over for a few months now, but I think he can get there one day. His favorite thing to do is sit on human laps despite his big size since he thinks he is a lap dog. His favorite game is fetch with two balls: he chases after one, brings it back and drops it, and I throw the second to begin the game all over again. His favorite toys are his Lamb Chop, extra-squeaky LLama with a sombrero, and Christmas Hedgehog. He loves sleeping on the couch on our balcony when the sun hits it just right mid-morning and in the afternoons. He loves naps so much and I catch him sleeping in all sorts of silly situations. His favorite nap positions seem to be with his nose stuffed down into the couch where I question how he is still breathing, or lying on his side with his head on a pillow like a human. He dreams a lot, too. I am not sure what he is chasing, but you can see his feet twitch, and he "chirps" at what I assume are squirrels and rabbits.

Kane captures the hearts and minds of people everywhere we go. He gets so many compliments about how well-behaved and handsome he is. I have been told many times that I saved him, but truly, he saved me. Kane has changed my life in so many beautiful ways that I am forever grateful for, and I refuse to sit idly as he is sick, and will do anything to help him get healthy.

It has not been easy up until this point, and it does not end here. For the four weeks leading up to his surgery on February 1, 2023, he is on heavy-duty antibiotics and steroids to start fighting the infection. He has side effects from the medications, and he is having accidents in the house (very, very rare for him, and you can see it on his face how badly he feels after it happens). He cannot have any sort of physical activity because it puts too much strain on his heart and lungs. During the treatment, a 12-inch needle will be inserted into his hind leg to dispense an injection to fight and kill the heartworms. He will need to undergo this treatment three times: once on February 1st, then again on March 1st, and 24 hours later on March 2nd. After every treatment, he will continue to need bed rest, pain medication, and antibiotics.

I have been so fortunate to have been able to provide a safe, loving home for Kane, and pay for the care he has needed up until now. The quotes I received from the vet range from $550 to $650 per treatment. These do not include the medications he will need along the way. Payment for each treatment is due on the day of each appointment. For those who know me, I go to great lengths to advocate and fight for Kane to feel happy, safe, loved, and healthy, and this is no different. I am so grateful that we are so loved and supported by so many people that will also go to bat for him. While I cannot afford his treatment, I am hoping we can raise awareness around the dangers of heartworm, as well as the money needed for his treatments.

We would be beyond grateful for any support you can give us. Please help me in sharing Kane's story and his GoFundMe link with anyone you know that could want to help. I am hopeful the kindness of our loved ones and strangers is powerful and will be able to get Kane the care he needs. My goal is to raise $2,000 for his treatments and medications. My sweet, affectionate, silly, snuggly, happy Boops and I will be beyond grateful to you today and always.

For more pictures and Kane fun facts, please visit his Instagram page (@KaneKontent). Again, we thank each and every one of you for your love and support during this time <3