Dog gets Viagra to help ailing heart

(Huntington - WABC, May 23, 2007) (WABC) -- A dog suffering from severe heartworms got some help from a local animal shelter and one surprising drug.

Doctors at Little Shelter Animal Adoption Center in Huntington say Igrid was drowning in 14 pounds of extra fluid in her abdomen caused by worms breaking up and clogging her blood vessles. They say she was headed for certain death as her heart began to fail.

Though they say it was touch and go for weeks, Ingrid pulled through thanks to the folks at Little Shelter and the veterinarians at the Babylon Animal Hospital and Long Island Veterinary Specialists.

But Ingrid wasn't out of the woods yet, and this is where the surprise treatment came in handy. Doctors say Ingrid's heart had suffered quite a bit of damage and could not pump effectively on its own. Dr. Susanne Michelle Govier, of Long Island Veterinary Specialists, knew what to do. Viagra was the answer.

"Many people forget that Viagra was initially used as a heart medication," Dr. Govier. "The drug actually dilates the veins and allows more blood flow to the heart. That is just what Ingrid needs to survive, and that is what Little Shelter is giving her."

And it seems to be doing the trick, according to doctors. Ingrid is reportedly back to her slim self, eating well, and romping with the other dogs at Little Shelter.

"Now that the doctors and Viagra have worked their miracles, we are hoping to provide the happy ending to this amazing story," Little Shelter President Maryann Chernovsky said. "We want to find a loving, adoptive home for Ingrid so she can live happily with a family of her own."

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