Are they 100% sure that Maizie is heartworm positive? That seems highly unlikely. It takes 6 months after infection for a SNAP test to turn positive, which means she was infected at 4 weeks old! That seems really odd. If she had a filter or microfilaria test, it is most likely that the filaria seen are NOT heartworms (Dirofliria immitis) but a different filaria called Dipetalonema that she got from her mom. It looks similar to Dirofilaria, but is not pathogenic to the dog at all. Dipetalonema won't grow up to be adult heartworms and will in fact just die (the dog is not the natural host). Dipetalonema will not make a SNAP heartworm test positive. Find out who did the test and what type of test was used. It's certainly possible for a 7 month old puppy to be heartworm positive, but very unlikely. There's no need to put her through treatment if she doesn't have the disease! If it was a filter test, have them do a SNAP antigen test. If it is negative, retest the SNAP in 6 months to be sure. Put her on heartworm prevention now if she isn't already no matter what the test results and even if she is heartworm positive. I hope not. It just seems really odd to me...

Once they've been nicked, oh boy! Imagine if someone had to clip your nails, and from time to time you got cut to the quick? Owie! Anyway, I used to take mine to the groomer or the vet but he hated it so much. The vet did the best - they'd have me hold him, then they'd take just a tiny sliver. Okay, but his nails were starting to look all "Dracula" LOL. So a girlfriend finally showed me the right tool and method to do with my dachshund. I bought a "guillotine" style clipper, not the usual kind. Then I lay him on his back on my lap or in a chair (which he doesn't mind - some dogs DO mind being on their back for you, so your mileage may vary!) When he's on his back, I can see his black nails from the bottom, and cut each one carefully. The guillotine doesn't make any noise. It's more like a quick slice through the nail. I do a little at a time and do it twice a week. Here's a page that shows the type I got - the first 3 are guillotine style - the last ones are the typical ones - the ones that are more "butcher"-like! If your Abbey doesn't respond to anyone's ideas, you may just have to have her sedated at the vet to do it. Poor girl.

Although a spider bite is possible, I believe the OP is referring to Eosinophilic Granuloma, since the cat has been to the vet before and given steroid to reduce the inflammation I recently saw a cat who developed abnormally large swollen upper lip, as a result of a severe flea allergy. 3 shots of steroids in two week intervals helped get it under control, and so did flea treatment.

What is this dogs regular schedule like? Do you take the dog for walks outside the home? How long have you had the dog? Where did you get the dog from, what was its life like before you got it (to the best of your knowledge)? Has the dog been socialized? Does it get along with other animals? Is it okay around people? The more detail you can give me on the daily routine, the better I can help you...