“Kirstie” a heartworm positive Husky left Babylon Town Shelter to go to Last Hope. She was named for Kirstie Alley the former “Cheers” star because these two lovely ladies have the same exotic eyes. Our Kirstie the K9 will be getting her HW treatment soon.

“Kirstie” a lovely young (2 to 3 year old) patchwork Husky showed up at Copiague train station in June. No one claimed her at Babylon Town Shelter. When she was getting ready to board the town “spay bus”*, her heartworm test came back positive. A second test confirmed these results, although she exhibits no symptoms.

Mosquitoes are unrelentless on the South Shore of LI. Chances are that Kirstie was never on heartworm preventive.

Treating dogs for heartworm at town shelters is tricky (because it is hard to monitor them carefully in such a crowded setting and it ties up precious cage space); costly (because the drug immiticide is expensive and really should not be the burden of taxpayers) and time consuming (because doing so correctly takes months). The town provided additional bloodwork and chest x-rays but “Kirstie” needed to go to a private rescue.

“Kirstie” is now at Last Hope on the American Heartworm Society’s pre-treatment plan and will be going to our vet to start her heartworm treatments soon. She is an outgoing young lady who when ready for placement will do best with a Husky-experienced owner who understands and appreciates the breed’s talents, traits and idiosyncrasies. Huskies can be drama queens….which is another reason that Kirstie has a Hollywood namesake.

 

* Note: Kirstie got off the bus because it will be safer to spay her after heartworm treatment.

 

I've found my forever home! Thank you!