Buddy, Post Surgery 3-31-25

Buddy Just got Home from Surgery, more information in the Updates below…..

Buddy the Blue Heeler Pup needs Aortic Surgery.

I’m not quite sure where to start but my name is Stephanie Howard and Buddy and our Family live in Eagle Point, Oregon on a little farm. My now 10 week old Blue Heeler mix (thinking Dad was German Shepherd of some sort) puppy was diagnosed with PRAA a Persistent Right Aortic Arch which basically means when in Utero his heart did not form properly and a branch of the Aorta is now strangulating his esophagus. This is a birth defect that is common in certain breeds including German Shepherds. Buddy has the hardest time trying to eat which we found at the time of weaning him. He will regurgitate his food 2-3x before it would fit through the pinch. After seeing the Vet he has recently been placed on a soup only diet….which is HARD for a puppy. He had been teething lately and we are afraid that he might swallow something that will either lodge in his throat or even worse puncture it. Between taking him to the Vet and doing research inevitably there are only 3 options. Euthanization, Surgery, or see if he can survive on a liquid diet while sitting in a special chair (a Bailey chair) for the rest of his life. Living here in Oregon, there are only a couple of surgeons in the state that I am told that can possibly do this surgery. But the cost is way out of our price range, much more than we can afford at this time. OSU was 8-10k and a local surgeon is more reasonable at $5,500 but they are requiring a CT scan which will be $1,500-$2,500 and then a transfer with over night stay(s) at the Central Point Emergency ER which could be upwards of 2k alone.

He's such a good Boy and like my husband says a “Velcro” puppy. If you’re in the kitchen he’s in the kitchen laying down, if you’re in the living room he’s there, if you’re outside he’s gonna be going with you.

And outside he plays with the big dogs and has already learned to leave the free ranging chickens alone. Thats a HARD trait to learn at an early age. He has been wonderful around our lambs and is trrrrying to win over the love of our cat. It’s still in the works. The Love is a bit one sided at this point.

But Buddy came into this world rough via Cesarean and he’s still fighting. Let’s give him a fighting chance. Let’s get him this surgery. Every little bit helps. Even if it’s a few dollars. I will be keeping everyone posted on Facebook with updates of Buddy as they come in. Thank you for hanging in there and reading this far.

Buddy thanks you and Our Family thanks you.

With appreciation,

Stephanie A. Howard.