IMPORTANT -  You will see that a few of our residents are heartworm positive.  These poor pups are considered unadoptable by shelters, and would be put to sleep if not taken into a rescue, treated and adopted.  There are several different treatment methods out there, and we will be happy to discuss all of them with you.  We choose to use a slow kill method that sterilizes the adult worms and kills the juvenile worms.  The entire process takes about a year, but there is no stress on the pup, no crating or restrictions in activity, and the cost is minimal (under $50.00) - we use an oral suspension that is given in the food twice a month.

PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO CONSIDER A PUP THAT IS LISTED AS HEARTWORM POSITIVE.  WE HAVE ADOPTED OUT APPROXIMATELY 15  POSITIVE DOGS OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS AND ALL HAVE DONE WELL ON THE TREATMENT.

Here's a link to the approved protocol for "slow-kill" treatment of heartworms!!!  We have additional information available for you, should you wish to receive it. 

Here are a few of the follow-ups we've received from adopters and friends of the Ranch who have used the "slow-kill" method on their dogs: 

----------------------------------------------------------------Gypsy and Jordyn Davis at the SPCA of Wake's Dog Walk on Saturday, April 20, 2012

Ms. Joy we just celebrated Gypsy's 4th birthday with thousands of other dogs in downtown Raleigh this weekend! THANK YOU for saving her & treating her heartworm. With your love & care she is heartworm free and full of life! Here is pic of her kissing Jordyn before the walk to save more deserving pets like her. God Bless you & Ruf Creek Ranch!

Some of our success stories are:

TUCKER HARRINGTON

 "Tucker" (GeNaro) was adopted from the animal shelter in July 2009. He tested positive for HWs on both his test done through the shleter, as well as our "family" vet. Immediately, we started him on the Ivermenctin oral treatment, every two weeks. Following the formula for his weight, he could have .3cc twice a month. After following this routine for six months, we had him tested again. Although we knew it wouldnt be possible for the test to come back negative, at this early stage, it came back better than we expected. With eight more months of treatment, we are glad to report that he is showing NO signs of HWs at this time!

CINNAMON HARRINGTON 

Cinnamon started in our home as a foster, in Nov. 2010. With showing a possible trace of HWs, her and her litter mate (Butch) were unable to make a trip to NH, where other ranch residents are often taken for wonderful homes. We started Cinnamon on the Ivermectin treatments, (.2cc) as a percautionary measure, and to combat any possible HWs. After only 6 months with us, she was showing a full negative result on her HW test!!!!  Cinny has since been adopted by us, as we all feel in love with her.

THUNDER JORDAN

Thunder came to the Ranch in October of 2010 at 7 years of age.  His heartworm test had come back a "very high" positive, and he was immediately put on the slow-kill treatment, ivermectin in his food, twice a month.  He was recently adopted to the Jordan family in Maine and they took him to meet their vet for a general wellness examination.  He was re-tested, and his heartworm test came back NEGATIVE!!!!  Thunder was 110 lbs - 17 months later, he tested negative.