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Health Update April 2026:Tucker arrived in 2022 heartworm positive... Well we are incredibly happy to share the great news for Tucker... HE IS HEARTWORM FREE…FINALLY..four years we’ve waited for this day! Early on in his arrival at Glen Highland, we tried one of the injections for heartworm and it almost killed him so the ‘slow-kill’ method was our only course of action. We’ve had good success with other older dogs and this method brought success within a year or less but seemed Tucker had a very bad case even though he had one traditional treatment. Traditional heartworm protocol is an injection of 3 shots. It is a rough, rough treatment though for younger dogs, they seem to do just fine. We knew Tucker was too weak to live through the process. So....the great news is he had a wonderful active 4 years so far with us and finally is clear! Of course we worried along the way whether he would make it with a weakened heart but he did! Tucker is a trooper for sure…with painful spondylosis and hip dysplasia but that we manage to make his life as active as possible. And NOW…we can really celebrate his better health.
TUCKER'S HISTORY TUCKER arrived at Glen Highland and it was clear he needed the safe refuge and care of the Sanctuary so he became a Resident. While he is a totally upbeat Border Collie eager to play ball, the real story with his body revealed so many challenges… and the risk of death. A traumatic injury fractured his front leg leaving him with a metal plate, bi-lateral hip dysplasia lessened his mobility, debilitating spinal sciatica made him painfully lame, undetected renal disease made him weak, untreated heartworm left him with lethargy and a failing heart, ehrlichia positive from tick bites added to worsening kidneys and undiscovered testicular cancer was slowly killing him…Tucker needed a lot of help. His previous life as a breeding ‘stud’ dog provided little care - drinking from dirty algae filled buckets of rain water and scrounging for food from garbage strewn all over the property. Preventatives were not used to keep him safe from heartworm or tick-borne diseases. Living not far from Glen Highland in Virginia, the death of the breeder gave Tucker his true chance to survive.
A super good-natured guy, he is NOW really enjoying the huge property for walks and making up herding games with his rescue pals. Tucker seems truly much happier and certainly much healthier. Two important treatments are underway: Unable to handle the traditional heartworm injections, Tucker is undergoing the Slow-Kill method of topical applications. It can take years to clear the heartworms but it is the safest approach for him since he had a horrible reaction to the shot. Pain management is the key to helping the severity of the sciatica in his spine. On the ortho evaluation, he collapsed to the floor, debilitated by the pressure on his hind-end. So high level amounts of gabapentin day and night are a huge benefit. He is also on the Myos supplement to build muscle in his legs without exercise. Surgery was curative for his testicular cancer and the ehrlichia has been treated and is monitored for recurrence. His renal disease is managed by a prescription kidney diet. We are pleased to now give Tucker the best life he can have and carefully monitor his changing medical conditions. It’s actually amazing that Tucker is alive.
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In honor of my sweet boys, Ben and Liam, whose joie de vivre remind me of the brevity of life - Nancy Giacumbo Brian Fishpaugh & Veralinn Jamieson Gregg, Jodi and GH alums Mia, Charlie, Zorro & Apollo, In Memory of GHF Alum Flash (larger than life) and our magical Guinness; two amazing, once in a life time BC’s who lived life to the fullest and brought love and happiness to the world. May there spirit and healing energy continue to be there for Tucker. In memory of GH alum Nicky. Tucker needs 3 more angels!
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