Sweet Hudson has taken a turn for the worse and is being transferred to North Carolina State Veterinary Hospital.   He blood levels dropped significantly last night, and he was given another transfusion.  He was then transferred to the Critical Care Facility (CVRC) in Charleston, SC where he was immediately seen by a Cardiologist.   He was diagnosed with Caval Syndrome.  According to UC Davis Veterinary Medicine, Caval syndrome is an acute manifestation of heartworm disease that occurs in association with a large number of heartworms in the right heart that entwine around and pass through the tricuspid valve apparatus. This syndrome has been reported to occur in up to 20% of heartworm cases although the studies involved were not designed to determine this number, and the incidence is almost assuredly much less than this. Caval syndrome most commonly occurs in male dogs that have had no previous clinical signs of heartworm disease. It can occur in dogs infested with a moderate or a large number of worms.  The animal goes into shock, and his chances of surviving are not good.  Dr, Kirsten Welch spoke to the Cardiologist at NC State today, and they agreed he had to get there immediately to survive this.  The surgeon has to go in and manually remove the heartworms.   Hudson's chances ar not good that he will survive this.    We have to do out best for him, and this is his only chance.  They are prepared to do surgery the minute he is admitted.   

We are all saying lots of prayers for the wonderful dogs.  Hudson was stable with his blood levels and was happy and gaining weight.   He is the sweet boy yo will ever meet.  He did not deserve all the tragedy that has happened to him.  All Hudson wants to do is run and play and chase a ball.  No animal deserves what is happening to him right now.   PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE say some very heartfelt prayers that God's hands will guide the surgeons, and they can get the heartworms out.  He will still not be out of danger.   We need all the funds we can get to have all the surgery, and cardiology tests done.   We are not ready to say good-bye to Hudson.   Help any way you can by donating toward his medical bills and sharing his story of survival.   We are feeling very uncertain about what is about to happen.

Please, say a prayer for Hudson that he will b strong enough to survive this procedure.