Thanks for visiting our website! We have many wonderful dogs available for adoption, some of which are featured here, and so many more at the Shelter. To learn more about a specific dog featured on the website click on their picture below. Please make sure you have your pop-up blocker turned off. To subscribe to updates on this page, click on the “Subscribe” link in the column on the left. If you would like to learn more about adopting one of our dogs, please visit the Adoption Process section of our website.
How does a dog get heartworms?
Heartworms are spread to dogs by mosquitoes. A mosquito carrying infective heartworm larvae bites your dog and within 6-8 months, if your dog is not on heartworm preventative, he or she is very likely to have adult heartworms.
Adult heartworms reproduce and release their offspring (microfilariae) into the dog’s bloodstream. A mosquito bites a heartworm positive dog and picks up some microfilariae in its blood meal. In the mosquito host, these microfilariae mature into infective larvae which can enter the bloodstream of the next dog bitten by this mosquito and the cycle continues.
The number of worms that develop after infection depends upon the number of larvae that enter the dogs bloodstream with the mosquito bite. Dogs may have one worm or in very severe cases up to 250. If untreated, most dogs will eventually suffer heart failure and death.
Administration of monthly heartworm preventative (obtained through a licensed veterinarian) prevents the maturation of larvae to adult heartworms and is very effective at preventing canine heartworm disease.
The most commonly used test is a blood test that measures the level of a specific antigen or worm protein (from female worms) in the dog’s bloodstream. The test takes about 15 minutes to perform and is very sensitive. Since it takes 6-8 months for adult heartworms to mature after a dog is infected through a mosquito bite, this test is performed on adoptable dogs over 8-9 months old at the Cuyahoga County Animal Shelter.
How is canine heartworm disease treated?
Heartworm-positive dogs can be successfully treated if they show minimal signs of cardiac damage at the time of diagnosis. Dogs with advanced heartworm disease as evidenced by pronounced coughing and congestive heart failure are not candidates for treatment.
Heartworm treatment is a two-step process: (1) an adulticide is administered to kill the adult heartworms and (2) a microfilaricide is administered to kill the immature heartworms. The adult worms are killed by injection of an arsenical compound directly into the back muscle. The only drug approved by the FDA to kill adult heartworms is Immiticide (Merial). Depending upon the perceived severity of the infection, a dog may receive one Immiticide injection and then after a 30-day waiting period, receive two more Immiticide injections 24 hours apart. Less severe infections may be treated with the two injection protocol. It is crucial that the dog be kept as quiet as possible during the 30-days after the Immiticide injection to minimize the risk of pulmonary embolism from the dislodged and dying worms. A microfilaricide such as Heartguard (ivermectin) or Interceptor (milbemycin) is administered to kill the immature heartworms. It takes about 6 months for the worm proteins to clear the bloodstream so a retest 6 months after the last Immiticide injection should be done to confirm eradication of adult heartworms. Once the heartworms have been eliminated, treated dogs MUST remain on heartworm preventative their entire lives. These dogs go on to live normal, active lives.
Our experience at the Cuyahoga County Animal Shelter
The incidence of heartworm positive dogs has increased dramatically in the last several years. In 2007, about one dog per month tested positive for heartworms. This increased to about one dog every week or two in 2008 and already in 2009, there have been two or more dogs testing positive per week. It is imperative that all dogs in the community be on heartworm preventative to help stop the spread of infection.
Treating dogs for heartworm is a very expensive and lengthy process. Given the increase in heartworm positive dogs, this has become a major focus of the shelter’s Best Friends’ Medical Relief Fund. Please look for the dogs on the Adopt Me page with a pink pawprint by their photos. These are dogs who are being treated with the fund–many of them are going through heartworm treatment. You can help by making a donation to the fund or providing a foster home for a dog going through heartworm treatment.
If you’d like to learn more about canine heartworm disease, please visit the website of the American Heartworm Society at www.heartwormsociety.org.
Hello… I wanted to send you a note and let you know how well Cady and Zack are getting along. I have attached a picture of them romping in the snow – they just love it! My girlfriend calls them the “Ginger Twins”. Cady and Zack act like they are long lost siblings – they love being together! Where Cady is a reserved and shy girl, Zack is a big goofy doofus! He’s learning his manners and is doing well with dog obedience classes. Cady and Zack went to the vet together, and the doctor pronounced them happy and healthy! I feel like the luckiest person in the world! Thank you to everyone at the shelter who helped me with this decision!
The Great Escape Artist
Story originally posted July 2008
The first time I saw Cady, she was sitting at the door to the kennel. She was dirty, matted and had an undercoat that needed to be combed out. She was a sad looking mess! After multiple visits and spending time with Cady just grooming her and getting to know her, I decided to adopt her! I had her about 30 minutes and she slipped her leash and took off running north. She ran north, south, east and west for the next 3 weeks. The Brecksville and Richfield Police were on the lookout. Animal Wardens from both counties were looking. The Brecksville Animal Warden borrowed a large Havahart trap from Independence. She was spotted at Lubrizol, so for the first 2 weeks, the trap was in the woods on the Lubrizol property. I traveled from Fairlawn to Brecksville 2-3 times a day to open the trap, check it and close the trap at night so I didn’t accidentally trap a racoon or a skunk! The trap was baited with steak, pork chops, spare ribs, sausage, Alpo, dog gravy, biscuits and treats. Nothing. However the trap was stripped of food overnight with the cage closed! Racoons, nature’s little maid service, I supposed. I passed out flyers with all the information and her picture on it to the businesses along Brecksville Road. The 3rd week she was spotted twice, and the Havahart trap was moved about a mile south. Same routine, only this time she was spotted near a fast food restaurant so I baited the trap with cheeseburgers. Still nothing.
On the 20th day, I decided that she was never coming home. I called the Brecksville Animal Warden and told her I was closing the trap and giving up. I figured if she got into an enclosure that someone would call the police, but I felt she was trap savvy and didn’t want to be caught. I went to the trap one last time and closed the trap for the night. I went home. At 7:15 the next morning, a man called and said “Your dog is in the trap”. I said… “What?” He repeated, “Your dog is in the trap”. I said, “IN the trap?” and he said “Yep”. I couldn’t imagine how that happened. If you have seen a Havahart trap, you know they are not “accidentally” opened. Accidentally closed, yes, but it almost takes 2 people to open and set it! So I said, “I’ll be there in 30 minutes”. When I arrived, there she was… just sitting in the cage. Not panicked, no growling, no barking. Just sitting there. It was a miracle. To this day, I have not been able to find out how the trap was opened on that night. Maybe it was St. Francis of Assisi? Since Cady has come home, she and the cats get along really well… she has gone to the office with me… and she goes in the car with me every time I go anywhere! She’s quiet, calm and happy. She’s been declared “no worse for the wear” by the vet, and she was fabulous for the groomer. She wears her St. Francis medal everyday! She follows me from room to room, and we’re still working on her trust; she must have had a tough start to her life. But she rounds out our family, and I already can’t imagine life without her. She’s just beautiful. – Jeni
My husband, Mark and I adopted our chowboy, Colonel, previously known as, Simba (cage #23) in March 2007. Prior to coming to your shelter, he was roaming the streets, getting food and water wherever he could find it. Ultimately, he was one of the lucky ones, because a very caring lady named Jan brought him to your shelter. Prior to Colonel’s arrival at the shelter, he lived in fear of people and wouldn’t allow anyone near him. After many unsuccessful attempts to lure Colonel to safety, Jan figured a way to outsmart him. She took her Basset Hound, Olivia for a walk in the area where Colonel was hanging out, and sure enough, a very curious Colonel followed them home! We are thankful to Jan for caring enough to get him to the safety of the shelter.
Being lovers of the Chow breed, Mark and I are so thankful to your shelter for giving Colonel a second chance at life. Colonel has been such a wonderful addition to our family. For those who are unfamiliar with the Chow breed, they are extremely smart and make wonderful family members.
Colonel hosted *Alabama Chowfest ’07. A yearly event for rescued Chows. They came from all around to celebrate their “chowness”. There were 13 chows on our deck at one time, and all was peaceful throughout the entire event! They all played so well with each other, each happy and so grateful to have loving homes! Colonel will be with us always and never have to experience the sadness, fear or hunger that being homeless causes.
Amazingly, he seems to understand that, we can tell by his grateful attitude, sweet spirit, and purple kisses! Again, thank you so very much!
-Sherill (Colonel’s mom)
Fellow Chow enthusiasts please visit ChowChow.org. The site is filled with helpful advice on Chow rearing and would be a great resource for adoptive Chow parents.
Amigo had been at the shelter for two months before we adopted him in April, 2008. He has blossomed since coming home. He’s learned his manners and put on a bit of weight. Amigo loves to meet people, to play with his friends at the Mutt Hutt, to go for walks and runs in the park, and to play fetch. He’s great at riding in the car and enjoyed a road trip to New England and New York this summer. We take him to do his favorite things and, in return, he gives us endless love and the pleasure of having a calm dog. He’s such a joyful being; you can’t help but smile when you’re with him. On Petfinder, his story was titled: Apollo-GREAT DOG. He’s more than a great dog; he’s a great friend.
We wonder why he wasn’t adopted sooner, and figure he must have been waiting for us.
-Barbara & Frank
For adopting more than 9,600 homeless dogs & puppies since our new Valley View shelter opened in 2002!
Current Adoption Statistics
Web Maintenance: Stephanie Hulett & Kelly Wolf
Photos: Stephanie Hulett, Hanna Unger & Kelly Wolf
Dog Videos: Stephanie Hulett
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