Heart Dogs
I
n this photo, you can see FBRN newcomer Coraline playing with FBRN old-timer Paulie Walnuts. They have more than just their brindle-pied coloring in common.
Both have serious heart defects.
Just about this time last year, Paulie Walnuts' foster mom became his forever mom. She has experience monitoring his heart problems and she has an excellent cardiac veterinary specialist for him. When we got the call about Coraline, a very young puppy with pulmonic stenosis, our volunteers swung into action; Coraline flew with a volunteer who works as a flight attendant across a big swath of country, then made a short road trip to her new home.
Coraline's vet visit revealed that she has a set of serious problems, including severe pulmonic stenosis, a condition that causes thickening of the heart muscle as the heart works hard to push blood through a too-narrow opening. She will have to take medication. She will have to limit her playtime and excitement. She will probably not live as long as most Frenchies, and there is a risk that she could succumb suddenly. She'll be a hospice dog for several months until she has grown enough that the doctors can better see the architecture of her heart and know whether she is a candidate for a surgery that might help prolong her life.
Bulldogs and boxers suffer pulmonic stenosis (PS) fairly frequently, as do a few other dog breeds, including Westies, labs, and Chihuahuas. It is often discovered during an early vet visit, but many dogs with mild PS are undiagnosed and have no symptoms. Dogs with moderate to severe PS may experience exercise intolerance, fatigue, and fainting as some of the symptoms of the condition. Some dogs can undergo corrective surgery involving a balloon catheter to enlarge the narrow opening. In Coraline's case, there may be further structural defects in the heart and coronary artery that would take that option off the table. In a few months when she has grown a bit, we'll do another echocardiogram to see whether she is a candidate. If not, she'll remain in hospice care with Paulie Walnuts.
Pulmonic stenosis is not a death sentence for most dogs. It can often be mild, requiring no medication or treatment, and moderate cases can be managed with medications like Atenolol, a heart medication for people and dogs that helps the heart pump efficiently, and they can benefit from daily supplements of fish oil. Regularly scheduled check ups with a specialist can help identify whether a dog with PS is maintaining or perhaps could benefit from medication, a change in daily activity, or treatment.
Please keep a good thought for Coraline as she grows. Her future is uncertain, but FBRN volunteers and our supporters know that our foster mom (and Paulie Walnuts!) will work hard to be sure that every day will be a good day for Coraline.
LENTIL BLOWS UP THE INTERNET!
If you've had trouble getting through to the website over the past week, you can thank an adorable little puppy called Lentil! He has been featured on websites from Philadelphia to Nigeria, and in English, German, Italian, and even Romanian! New York Daily News, Cute Overload, Huffington Post, Buzzfeed, and Philebrity have all told his story. His Facebook page is closing in on 30,000 "likes" and we are humbled and delighted at the generous outpouring of good wishes and sponsorships for the little bean. We are so grateful.
Lentil's condition, cleft palate, is one FBRN has seen before and successfully repaired with help from our sponsors and talented surgeons. You may remember Roma and Clifford. Though we have had successes with two other cleft palate puppies, Lentil's cleft palate is quite serious, and he is in constant danger of aspirating fluid into his lungs, which could cause pneumonia. He is being fed via feeding tube every 3 hours, round the clock. We are currently consulting with vets at a couple of university vet schools to see when he might be eligible for surgery, but we believe it will be at least two months in the future, if not longer.
Meanwhile, we, with the rest of the entire world, are enchanted by the photos and videos of Lentil his foster mom is sharing. And, with the rest of the world, we are holding our breath and hoping for the very best for wee Lentil.
Tirpitz
Tirpitz is still a work in progress as far as his separation anxiety goes but he is a dog devoted to people. If he has a mission in life it is to protect his person while they shower, sleep, or go about their daily chores. He will rest contently by his person's side or take a walk with them, just don't leave him behind. Tirpitz is looking for a family or person that is as devoted to him as he will be to them.
FBRN's mission is to rescue, rehabilitate and re-home French Bulldogs in need from commercial breeding kennels, import brokers, public shelters, private rescue groups, owners or Good Samaritans. Our organization is comprised solely of volunteers who nurture and foster these dogs as well as provide education and training. Our goal is to place healthy and happy French Bulldogs into forever homes.
None at this time.