Help Digby have his Life Saving Operation
Donation protected
We met Digby when he was about 11 weeks old, he was brought in to us to be put to sleep after being diagnosed with PDA . PDA (Patient Ductus Arteriosus) is a congenital heart condition.
What is PDA ?
In a normal heart, blood will be pumped out of the right side of the heart via the pulmonary artery to the lungs to pick up oxgyen. The oxygenated blood will then return to the left side of the heart and pumped around the body via the Aorta.
Before birth the Ductus Arteriosus plays a very important role; due to the lungs not yet working it diverts the blood from the pulmonary artery to the aorta. Before the puppy is born the ductus ateriosus should completely close so that the blood can be redirected to the lungs before returning back to the heart. In some cases such as Digby’s, the closure of the ductus arteriosus fails or is incomplete leaving it “patent” and specialist veterinary surgery intervention is required.
What surgery is needed?
Surgery is needed is to close the PDA as soon as possible before irreparable damage to the heart muscle is suffered. This will involve a specialist cardiology surgeon deploying a device via a catheter through the artery in the hind limb. Alternatively he could have open heart surgery but due to this being more of a risky procedure, the less invasive method would be better.
We have already funded referral to a cardiology specialist, and friend of Sarah’s in Hampshire, for the diagnosis. They are also an independent practice like us, able to make decisions on a case by case basis,and between us we believe we can treat Digby and give him a full and hopefully healthy life, and we thank them for their input.
However, whilst we can help with the cost of his care, the implant needed and surgery by a specialist is not without some expense. We are now relying on donations to help fund his operation to save his life. Any contribution would be greatly appreciated, as you can see he is way too cute for us to give up on!
What is PDA ?
In a normal heart, blood will be pumped out of the right side of the heart via the pulmonary artery to the lungs to pick up oxgyen. The oxygenated blood will then return to the left side of the heart and pumped around the body via the Aorta.
Before birth the Ductus Arteriosus plays a very important role; due to the lungs not yet working it diverts the blood from the pulmonary artery to the aorta. Before the puppy is born the ductus ateriosus should completely close so that the blood can be redirected to the lungs before returning back to the heart. In some cases such as Digby’s, the closure of the ductus arteriosus fails or is incomplete leaving it “patent” and specialist veterinary surgery intervention is required.
What surgery is needed?
Surgery is needed is to close the PDA as soon as possible before irreparable damage to the heart muscle is suffered. This will involve a specialist cardiology surgeon deploying a device via a catheter through the artery in the hind limb. Alternatively he could have open heart surgery but due to this being more of a risky procedure, the less invasive method would be better.
We have already funded referral to a cardiology specialist, and friend of Sarah’s in Hampshire, for the diagnosis. They are also an independent practice like us, able to make decisions on a case by case basis,and between us we believe we can treat Digby and give him a full and hopefully healthy life, and we thank them for their input.
However, whilst we can help with the cost of his care, the implant needed and surgery by a specialist is not without some expense. We are now relying on donations to help fund his operation to save his life. Any contribution would be greatly appreciated, as you can see he is way too cute for us to give up on!
Organizer
Sarah Probert
Organizer