Heart-worm treatment protocol is changing:

Because the main ingredient in heart-worm treatment (immiticide) is no longer being produced in the United States, rescuers are scrambling to find a new, safe way to treat heart-worms.  As of now, the protocol is 30 days of doxycycline, and then the 6-month pro-heart injection. Most dogs are testing negative after 6 months. This protocol, though much longer than the typical 3 month heartworm treatment, seems to be just as effective and less painful and traumatic for the dog.

Once the dogs finish their 30 days of doxycycline and receive the 6 month pro-heart injection, they are typically ready to go to their new homes. This is also a great side-effect, as the dog is able to go to his or her permanent home more quickly. If you have any questions regarding this protocol, please email us or contact your vet for more information.

We received a call from animal control. There were many, many dachshunds in need and we were asked to help out. Of course we were out of room, out of resources, and out of foster homes, but we were not out of hope. We found a way to squeeze 4 more dogs in. One of them was Rose. She was the first to be pulled because she was absolutely terrified. Her eyes were wide with fear and distrust. Right away I noticed the notch in her ear. Puppy mill. Next I noticed her huge pregnant belly. As terrified as she was, we decided to pull her immediatley. Within 5 minutes we determined that she was high-antigen heart-worm positive. Of course. The next day we brought her to our vet to see how far along she was in her pregnancy, and whether or not she could withstand giving birth, with such a nasty case of heart-worms. We learned that she was about 45 days along in a cycle of 65 days. We brought her home and prayed for the best. Within 3 days, we knew something was really wrong. She began coughing and had a very nasty runny nose. She was in heart-failure due to pnuemonia, which was likely caused by a virus and/or the heart-worms. This poor angel was about to endure more than any foster I'd ever had. She had not 3 strikes against her, but 4. In all likelyhood, she and her babies were going to die. She was hospitialized for a few days on heavy antibiotics. We were certain the puppies were gone. After a few days of IVs, though, we noticed the babies were moving again. We were cautiously optimistic. The meds she was on was proven to be very hard on puppies in utero. We waited and prayed. She came home on Friday because we were afraid she may deliver the babies over the weekend. The vet wasn't sure that she'd be able to have them naturally, and he wanted someone to be with her incase of an emergency.  On Sunday afternoon, at 4:00 pm, she began trying to climb in my lap. She was restless and wanted me to hold her. I reassured her, loved on her, and talked to her. 12 mintues later the first baby was born healthy and LOUD. All evening the puppies began to be delivered, all very much alive. Rose is a great mother and is nursing her babies like a pro. This is a happy occasion, that all the puppies made it, and that Rose delivered successfully, but she is not nearly out of the woods yet. Once the babies are weaned, she must under-go horrible heart-worm treatment. It is painful and can be deadly.  Please keep Rose in your thoughts and prayers and PLEASE spay and neuter your pets. PLEASE use heart-worm prevention. It's so inexpensive and it saves lives. Rose should not have had to endure all of this. She deserves so much better!

Gulf Coast Dachshund Rescue is a 501 c (3) Non-Profit and Incorporated organization dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of dachshunds across the Gulf Coast.  

GCDR was founded in July, 2006 with the goal of rescuing dachshunds from difficult situations, rehabilitating them, and finding loving permanent homes for each one.

GCDR strives to educate the general public about the importance of spaying and neutering, as well as responsible pet ownership.

It is extremely important, as well, to educate potential dachshund owners about the dachshund standard and personality, to be certain no dachshund ends up in rescue, on the street, or worse, just for being a dachshund.

Please know- we are not a shelter. We are a small network of volunteers  that foster out of our homes.

Can't adopt? Can't foster? There are many other ways you can help GCDR dachshunds! Every face in our group has a story. Many are sad, most are avoidable. You can help turn these dogs' lives around. Check out our How YOU can help GCDR page for more information! These dogs aren't just counting on us. They're counting on YOU.