[Sue]

We do a biannual HW survey of all the practices in the state. What we've found is that HWD is actually on the rise here. The actual percentage of positive cases vs dogs tested is small, but the percentage increase is quite significant. Every time I'm summarizing the data I want to call some vets and scream at them. One of the questions we ask is whether or not they feel HWD disease is endemic in their area. If they've never seen HWD in their practice, some will answer no. They simply don't think it's a problem because they've never seen it.

Anyone who doesn't think it's a problem should have been around helping treat positive dogs about 20 years ago. It was a horrible thing for the dogs to go through. Or take a look at one of the display hearts we have from a positive dog that didn't make it. Seeing all the chambers of the heart filled with what looks like spaghetti might change their mind. It makes me so angry that people won't spend the money to keep their dogs safe. With three large dogs I know it's not cheap.....but neither is the treatment of a positive dog, not to mention what the dog goes through.