"Rest in Peace JP" by Moore Humane Society News | The Pilot: Southern Pines, NC

Rest in Peace JP

Blog: Moore Humane Society News

August 2, 2011

Last week, a woman brought a small dog she had found in Whispering Pines to Moore Humane Society. Named JP, he was a non-neutered male, weighing 12 pounds, mostly fur. We tested him for heartworm, with a strong positive result. On Wednesday we took him to see Dr. Harrison at Animal Health Center for further evaluation. Dr. Harrison told us that JP was in congestive heart failure due to advanced heartworm and could not withstand treatment. Such a devastating diagnosis for a sweet dog, and so troubling because heartworm is preventable.

We brought him back to the Shelter, wanting to keep him comfortable for his remaining days. Because of the high temperatures, we kept JP in the Shelter office where it was cooler. JP's condition worsened over the next 36 hours. On Friday morning, he was almost comatose, suffering from extreme congestion with discharge from his nose and in his eyes. Shelter staff brought him back to Dr. Harrison's office, where he was peacefully put to sleep.

We bring this to your attention in effort to increase public awareness of this disease. Most pet owners know that heartworm is spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. Year round preventative medication is essential, especially in southern states where mosquitoes can survive and reappear throughout the winter. Vets will check their patients annually and recommend medication based on the animal's weight. What many pet owners don't realize is that it can take 8 months after the mosquito bite for the protein (indicating the presence of heartworm) to show up in the blood test.

Please keep your animals protected. There is no need for them to suffer from something that is so easily preventable. Rest in peace, JP; may your spirit soar. And may your death serve as a caution for all of us.

Baselice 1 year, 9 months ago

Poor JP. What on earth was this small dog doing wandering around by himself. Where are his owners? Animal abuse comes in all forms. Owners that fail to provide their beloved pet with heartworm preventative, are committing animal abuse. Don't own a pet if you can't provide the proper food, shelter and medical care.

sabrewer01 1 year, 9 months ago

So tragic and so preventable. It breaks my heart to know that JP suffered unnecessarily. Thanks to Moore Humane, Animal Health Center and Dr. Harrison for looking after this poor, sweet soul, who certainly deserved better from his owners.

I recognize that there are often circumstances that prevent owners from properly caring for their pets, but this is when you must take responsibility in either finding a new owner or relinquishing the animal to a shelter (as a last resort). Releasing an animal to the outside is NEVER the right thing to do.

AnimalLover 1 year, 9 months ago

Baselice and sabrewer01: I can't agree with either of you more! People are supposed to have the "humanity" to have compassion for animals and other people. That's what makes us "human". Sadly, there are for too many out there that neglect and abuse animals sometimes because they are "just animals". Thanks to the people of Moore Humane Society for having the capacity to care about JP and all the other unwanted animals in our community. We should all learn a lesson from their kindness. Rest in Peace, JP.

FightFireWithFire 1 year, 9 months ago

You would be truly surprised at how many people NEVER take their dogs to the vet past the initial shots they receive as puppies. Most people are too busy to be bothered. I have seen it many times over. I find it truly selfish to take on the responsibilities of a pet without knowing what you need to do to keep your pet safe. By the way, mosquitos are very bad here, so if your dog is not receiving a heartworm supplement, there is a good chance the dog will come up positive eventually.

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