Faith Needs Lifesaving Surgery
Faith is a sweet and loving 9-month-old Lab/Beagle mix who was transferred to Lake Humane Society from an overcrowded animal control facility in West Virginia. Shortly after her arrival, one of our very observant dog walkers noticed that she made wheezing sounds after vigorous activity. When our veterinarian examined Faith, she noticed that she had harsh lung sounds, but otherwise seemed fine and was negative for heartworm disease. We treated her with a course of antibiotics thinking it could be a case of bronchitis which is common in kenneled dogs. However, after a 2-week course of antibiotics, her symptoms continued, so we sent her to a local veterinary hospital for x-rays. The x-ray results were consistent with a very rare birth defect in her chest called a persistent right aortic arch (PRAA). If left untreated, Faith could eventually die from pneumonia or malnutrition due to the constriction of her esophagus.
Fortunately, there is a surgical correction available for this problem, but because of the rarity and location of the disorder, we will need to send her to a specialty hospital where a board certified veterinary surgeon will have the skills and equipment necessary to perform the procedure. The cost for this surgery alone will be up to $4,000. If successful, Faith could go on to lead a happy, healthy, normal life. She may have some permanent damage to her esophagus but we should be able to manage that reasonably with diet and medications.
All donations made to this fundraising page will be designated to our Angel Fund and 100% of your gift will go toward Faith's surgery and lifesaving care. We can't give this sweet, loving, young dog a second chance without you. Please donate today.
More about PRAA: In the fetus, there are blood vessels that at first may serve a function, but then naturally deteriorate as the embryo grows. Occasionally, vessels in the chest cavity, called the aortic arches, will fail to disappear. The right aortic arch passes near the esophagus (the part of the digestive tract that connects the mouth to the stomach). If this blood vessel persists in the newborn, the esophagus is trapped between it and the heart blocking normal passage of food from the esophagus into the stomach. The food accumulates in the portion of the esophagus that passes through the chest and can lead to compression of the airways or regurgitation of the food with subsequent aspiration pneumonia which we believe is what is causing her current symptoms. If left untreated, she could eventually die from pneumonia or malnutrition due to the constriction of her esophagus.
Please check back as we will provide updates as they become available!