My new puppy needs surgery :-(

[SallyMander]

Well, Simon had his cardiology appointment today. Turns out the (really loud) heart murmur is being caused by pulmonary stenosis, meaning (in this case) that the little flaps of his tricuspid valve didn't form right. They are all partially fused, which blocks the blood flow from his heart to his lungs.

Left untreated, it's likely to cause congestive heart failure or even a sudden heart attack. :cry:

We are already so attached to this little guy... so we decided to go ahead with the treatment, which involves the docs putting a little balloon through his jugular vein and into his heart, to basically try to blow the valve open. If it works, it will vastly reduce his symptoms, and he may have a normal lifespan. But it's risky, like any surgery, and he's just a little guy... so i'm really nervous. :(

Anyway, just thought i'd keep you all updated... if you have any vibes to spare, he'll be on the operating table on Wednesday morning. We should know how it went by early Weds afternoon.

Thanks, all. :hug:


Some pics of Simon:

[GoddessOfGuinness]

1. Sending healing cybervibes...

Hang tough Simon!
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[SallyMander]

5. Thanks GoG!

:hug:

[DeposeTheBoyKing]

2. What a cute little thing

Lots of good vibes coming his way - hope all goes well on Wednesday.

[SallyMander]

6. Thanks DTBK!

I just saw your thread on your sis -- hope that all goes well and she feels better soon!!! :hug:

[suninvited]

3. A very good thing for Simon

that you came along when you did !!!!

Hugs to you both, hope that cutie gets totally better real soon.

[SallyMander]

8. Yeah, we started out thinking of him as a "foster"

That didn't last too long, especially once we found out about his heart condition! :hug:

[fizzgig]

4. what a doll

i hope all goes well on wednesday :hug:

[SallyMander]

9. Thanks k

I'll let you know how it goes! :hug:

[Pierre.Suave]

7. Aww the poor little guy...

I hope all goes well for him, and you on Wednesday.

[SallyMander]

10. Thanks, jasonc

I'm so nervous... i'm sure i'll be a basketcase on Weds :(

:hug:

[ceile]

11. Oh, no!

Hugs for you and Simon....:hug: :hug:
I hope he's ok.

[SallyMander]

18. Thanks ceile!

We both appreciate the hugs :hug:

[lost-in-nj]

12. That first picture

would melt an iceberg

to friggen cute


good thoughts and vibes for Simon

let us know how it goes...


:hi: :hug:

lost

[SallyMander]

19. Hehee... Simon is a big fan of Elmo's bed

I'll have to take him to get his own soon... although they've been known to share! :D

Thanks, lost :hug:

[livetohike]

13. Everything will be okay

:hug: to you and the cutest little guy ever :-).

[SallyMander]

20. I hope you're right!

Thanks for the hug :hug:

[LeftyFingerPop]

14. Awwww Jeeeez.....

He's so cute.

Good vibes to Simon!

I think he will be fine...best wishes to you and your puppy. :hug:

[SallyMander]

21. Thanks philboy!

I sure hope you're right... i'm already totally in love with him. He's asleep on my lap right now after a nice long walk. :hug:

[LadyoftheRabbits]

15. Aww, sweet little guy...

I'm sending him all the best. I know he'll have the best love and care with you two around. :hug:

[SallyMander]

22. Thanks sweetie

We are doing what we can... including paying for this surgery! :crazy:

My friends will definitely laugh at me... i already have a $200 guinea pig (thanks to his eye-removal surgery) and now who knows how much the pup will end up costing...

Oh well! It's just money, right? ;)

:hug:

[flvegan]

16. Poor little guy. But, take heart

it's a BIG plus that he's so young. He'll do just fine and be back up and spunkified soon.

[SallyMander]

23. Thanks flvegan

That's what the vet said too -- he is young and otherwise healthy, so hopefully he'll get through the anesthesia and surgery OK... i know i'll be a nervous wreck on Wednesday though! :(


BTW, spunkified might be my new favorite word :D

:hug:

[Richardo]

17. Poor guy - but he's lucky to have you...

:hug:

Best of luck on the surgery, SallyMander.

PS: I LOVE that first picture.

[SallyMander]

25. Thanks Richardo

I'll let you all know how it goes... keep your fingers crossed on Weds :)

:hug:

[SammyWinstonJack]

24. Oh no! He has such a cute face! I would be so worried too.

:hug: for Simon and you.

[SallyMander]

27. Thanks so much BSN

We are totally in love with him already... it's amazing how fast that happens! :)

:hug:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

26. My dear SallyMander!

Consider this...

Someone else might have decided to put him down instead of doing the surgery...

He's very lucky to have found you!

Biggo vibes for him, and you too, sweetie!

Let us know how he does, OK?

:hug:

[SallyMander]

29. Will do, Peggy!

Yeah, he might end up being the most expensive puppy evah... but we love him and he's a family member now, so we'll make it work!

Thanks for the vibes and hug :) :hug:

[Norwood]

28. Aww poor little guy, I'll be thinking of you both on Wednesday and I hope everything goes well

[SallyMander]

31. Thanks so much!

I'll write an update when i know how it went...

:hug:

[LisaM]

30. My friend has a little Bijon who went through heart surgery

He is doing great. Good luck. The pup is ADORABLE.

[SallyMander]

32. Oh, that's good to hear!

Glad to hear the pup did well. Do you know what was wrong with his heart?

[LisaM]

41. Grade 6 PDA heart murmur

according to my friend.

[SallyMander]

44. Aha -- they thought Simon might have a PDA

I'm not sure which is more difficult to treat, but it seems like the PDA can be fully resolved with surgery, whereas this one is iffy...

Glad your friend's pooch is OK!

[texanwitch]

33. Simon is one cute puppy.

So sorry that he needs surgery.

My dog my need knee surgery.

Sometimes you just have to spend the money.

Good luck Simon.

[SallyMander]

35. Sorry to hear about your dog's knee

Was it an injury? Or something else? Hope that goes well :hug:

I totally hear you on the money... when i heard the estimate i sort of winced but then said "OK, go for it." :shrug:

[texanwitch]

40. I don't know how she hurt her knee, maybe just playing with the other dogs.

The cost for the surgery will be between $2000 and $4000.

I will use the downpayment I was saving for a new truck, my dog comes first.

[SallyMander]

45. Aww, you are a good dog mom!

I'm glad that she ended up with you. :hug:

[khashka]

34. Good vibes for little Simon

I can see why you fell in love with him :)

Khash.

[SallyMander]

37. Thanks Khash

Not only is he adorable, he's also super smart... he was housebroken in about 3 days and already knows "sit," and he's starting to get "lay down." Plus he's just a total love -- he is curled up in my lap right now snoozing.

Thanks for the vibes! :hug:

[driver8]

36. What a sweet boy...good luck, Simon!!

Sending hugs to you and Simon! :hug:

[SallyMander]

39. Thanks driver8!

We both appreciate the hugs :)

I'll let you all know how it goes... :hug:

[Critters2]

38. I've already fallen in love with Simon

so you must do this!!

Really, I've so enjoyed following your story of Elmo and Simon, your adopting him, introducing him to Elmo, the two of them bonding. I'm sorry he has this problem, and I know it'll be expensive and risky, but I'm glad you're going to give him this chance. You're a great dog mom, and Elmo and Simon are lucky dogs.

I'm sending Simon, and you, lots of vibes!! :hug:

Keep us posted!

[SallyMander]

46. Aww, thanks mycritters!

I've added all the posts to my journal so others can follow the saga :D

I will keep you updated! Thanks for the vibes!!! :hug:

[YDogg]

42. Good vibes, heading Simon's way ...

Our pup had severe heartworm problems that did not respond to the first course of treatment properly, and the second round left him staggering around like * choking on a pretzel. Thankfully he's doing just fine now a couple of years later.

Best of luck to Simon!

[SallyMander]

47. Thanks so much YDogg

I'm so glad to hear that your dog recovered from the heartworm -- how scary! What kind of dog is he?

:hug:

[YDogg]

55. He's a one of these

Best picture I could find on this computer. He's a good fellow, and we feel fortunate that he is doing well. The toughest thing for him was that we could not take him on walks for many weeks after his second treatment started, and he digs his walks. Now he's back to his old self. :thumbsup:

[SallyMander]

57. Awwwwwww!

I just want to scritch his ears :D

Glad to hear he's back in action!

[Pool Hall Ace]

43. I especially love the pic of Simon and Elmo in bed together.

Calming and healing vibes for everyone. :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:

Will be thinking of you and Simon on Wednesday. :hi:

[SallyMander]

48. They totally hit it off!

Which was one big relief... now i just have to keep my fingers crossed that after Weds i'll have two happy and healthy pooches!

Thanks so much for the thoughts and vibes. :hug:

[Lil Missy]

49. Good vibes for your precious pup.

:hug:

[SallyMander]

50. Thanks Missy

I appreciate it :hug:

[warrior1]

51. I hope everything goes well

Handsome fella

[SallyMander]

52. Thanks warrior!

He has a great personality too -- very smart and a total love. I sure hope he's OK...

:hug:

[Born_A_Truman]

53. What a handsome boy!

I'll keep him in my thoughts.

[SallyMander]

54. Thanks a lot!

I appreciate the thoughts :D

:hug:

[Skittles]

56. SENDING GOOD VIBES YOUR WAY

YES INDEED :thumbsup:

[SallyMander]

58. THANKS SKITTLES!

I'm pretty sure Simon's tricuspid valve needs its ass kicked!

:hug:

[Skittles]

59. THE VET WILL DO AN ASS-KICKING JOB!!!

YOU AND SIMON WILL SEE!! :D

[SallyMander]

64. ...

:D

:hug:

[mitchum]

60. Sending good thoughts Simon's way

he's a good looking boy

[SallyMander]

62. Thanks mitchum

He's a sweetie -- i appreciate the thoughts :hug:

[lizziegrace]

61. Aww...

:hug:

Is he having it done at the teaching hospital?

[SallyMander]

63. Thanks LG

Yup, we met with several 4th-year students today before talking with the doc. They have all been super nice and competent.

How are you tonight? :hug:

[stuntcat]

65. oh *viiiiibbeess* for sure

Soon he'll just be happy and healthy and you won't have to worry about his health.

I'll try to remember Wednesday morning.. *extra vibes** !!

[SallyMander]

66. I hope you're right stuntcat!

Thanks for the vibes sweetie :hi: :hug:

[Darth_Kitten]

67. That's one cute pup!

:)

Wishing him DogSpeed..... :D

[SallyMander]

68. Thanks Darth

:D

We both appreciate it :hug:

[applegrove]

69. Simon is such a cutiepie. Vibes for tomorrow.

[SallyMander]

70. Thanks applegrove!

I think you posted this just as i posted an update... he is at the hospital awaiting his procedure tomorrow. We both appreciate the vibes. :)