Ethel took Buck to the vet this afternoon for an ear infection and they discovered blood in his abdomen.  She is on her way to the specialty clinic now for an ultra sound to try to determine the source of the blood.  This is very distressing.

 

Luann

I had to take Mr. Buck to the emergency clinic this evening.

he needs all the prayers you can give him tonight.

Ethel

Just heard from the doctor. . . .

 

The echocardiogram indicates that blood flow is still good in the right ventricle, meaning that the valve surgery was successful.  However, we may be running out of time to get the membrane in the right atrium repaired.  Buck is stable now and is on medications to keep the fluids from accumulating, but we may have to see if we can get the second surgery done earlier than the first part of December we had originally been shooting for.

 

So, this is pretty good news.  Dr. Christensen is going to be talking to the heart specialists at MU to see if we can get Buck in earlier for this second surgery.

 

Thank you for all your prayers.  This little guy is such a precious pup.  He just loves everyone and loves to give out kisses.  It is hard to believe that he is as sick as he is because he has the most wonderful little personality.  Keep those prayers coming!

 

Luann

 

Good Morning Ladies,
Mr. Buck had a good restful night! This morning he ate all his breakfast, took three pills, and went outside. He doesn't have a lot of energy so he walked the fence line to do his duties and came back in. He is drinking a lot of water.
Will track down Dr. Christensen today and ask about how much physical activity he should have.
Wendy, Brodie, and Haley were happy to see him.
Have a great day!!!!!
Ethel

 

Good Morning
Just spoke to Dr. Christiansen, he said to let Mr. Buck be a puppy and have some good life experiences. He has already e-mailed Dr. Fine at MU, attached the pictures and his report and ask if they would consider moving this next surgery up. He feels that Buck would survive the surgery - although it is highly risky. there is a chance that by
attempting to balloon the membrane open, it would tear the wall of the heart and he would bleed out.
The other procedure would be to stop the blood to his right side of the heart, make a hole and start removing the membrane. the problem with this is there is a limited amount of time that his heart can go without blood and if they can't remove all the membrane within this time limit, they have to start closing the hole and start the blood flow to save him.

Dr. Christiansen will let us know when he hears back from Dr. Fine at MU.
Ethel

The membrane, in the upper right chamber, has to be open up for Buck to have a chance at life - either surgery is risky and could cause immediate death, but the balloon procedure is the least risky of the two procedures.  MU has never done this procedure before but Dr. Christiansen knows of other schools that have and have been successful with it. given that Buck is a little fighter, Dr. Christiansen thinks he has a good shot at survival.
Dr. Christiansen said that yesterday they sedated him to do the MRI and echocardiogram and half way thru the procedures Buck woke up and started to get up. Dr. C said he had never had a dog do that before. They had to wait until the afternoon and re-sedated him to complete the second test. So he is a little fighter.

Yes, I'm sad that Buck has to go thru this horrible experience, but he's not giving up on life.
Ethel

October 17, 2006

October 24, 2006

Hello
Mr. Buck and I made it to the MU Vet school without any problems. Met with his Student Dr, Miss Stacey - then with Dr Fine. They couldn't believe how much he had grown since Sept. They will prep him beginning/around at 9:30am and then do the surgery shortly after that. Stacey will contact me sometime during the afternoon -
once he has awaken and is moving around, to let me know how he did.
So, now Mr. Buck needs all the prayers he can get tonight and tomorrow.
While we were waiting Luann called and ask that I stop in New Franklin and pick up an owner release named Lola. Lola was left outside year round, the lady said she is food aggressive, but likes other dogs. Can't be around children only adults. Lola is bitter.
Last visit to the vet was in 2003 for a series of shots and that's been it.
She is at my house for tonight, will move Miss Haley to Sharon's tomorrow. Will get her vetted this week and get pictures of her. Please think of Mr. Buck and add him to your prayers.
Ethel

October 25, 2006

Good Afternoon
Dr. Fine telephoned to say that Mr. Buck's surgery went well. He is resting in the ICU comfortably. She felt good with the balloon procedure, but will do the echo and MRI tomorrow to verify the results and let me know for sure if this surgery will be his last! Also, she'd let me know when he can come home to recuperate.
Ethel

October 26, 2006

Good Morning Ladies,
MU just called and we have a minor set back with Buck. There is swelling around the incision on his neck. The swelling is due to the manipulation of the tool used to open the membrane. Dr. Atkinson said he is fine, just looks horrible with the swollen neck. They want to keep him stable, with some pressure on the neck, and immobile today and tomorrow. He could come home on Saturday if not Sunday or Monday.
I'm sad - was hoping to have him back tomorrow, but not want to risk moving him home to soon.
Ethel

Hi
MU just contacted me - Buck is doing OK - eating baby food instead of the Kumpi -
Dr. Stacey said because of the case load that happen this afternoon, they didn't get the echo and MRI completed on him. They will try and do the tests Friday afternoon.

I asked when he might come home and she thought maybe Saturday or Sunday or
Monday - depends on the echo test. She will call me tomorrow afternoon after the tests are done. Dr. Stacey said everyone knew who Buck was and everyone was in love with him. One of her classmates asked her about adoption - so maybe we'll get two appls from the vet school for him.

I have Friday off - have made arrangements to go to Gower about noon and help gives baths to some lucky puppies who have to go to their furever homes on Saturday.

Lola was vetted today - plus spayed. She isn't very happy with me tonight - just sleeping - did get a pain pill down her with the help of peanut butter.
Later
Ethel

October 28, 2006

Good Evening Ladies,
Mr. Buck is home! The surgery went well, they did break thru the membrane, but were unable to get clear pictures with the echo of just how much of it was broken. (they did two series of echo's and just couldn't get a good picture). His pulmonic valve pressure is elevated from 40  to 80, and we will need to keep a close eye on this as well. (it needs to be around 40) His main problem is; they inserted the balloon tool and the IV's in his right hind leg for the surgery. This area has developed post-operative swelling and will take some time to decrease. In the meantime, I have to hold a warm water bottle on the area for 10-15 minutes every four hrs, massage the leg after the heat has been applied, and let him walk as much as he wants or feels like doing. At the moment, he is limping on three legs, holding the right leg up. The inside of the leg and his tummy are black ,blue and purple in color. It is very tender to the touch and he cries when it is touched. His sutures may be removed in two weeks. They would like to have him back in 2-3 months unless there is an emergency. He is still on the the heart meds, as well as a pain med and anticiotics. Buck's alert and eating/drinking well. But once the pain med is taken - he sleeps.
Many thanks to all of you who have said prayers on his behalf. We are not
out of the woods yet, sort of speaking, but he is a little fighter and wants
to live!
Miss Wendy and Mr Brodie are very happy to have Buck home. Brodie guards him
when outside in the yard (not going more the four feet from him), and Wendy
sits in front of his crate while he sleeps or on my feet while I'm handling
the warm water bottle and massage.
Thanks again for your concerns - we will keep you all update.
Ethel

October 30, 2006

Good Afternoon Ladies,
Here are two pictures of Mr. Buck. His tummy and right hind leg aren't as black, blue, and purple as they were yesterday. But the swelling is still there and very sore to the touch.  He wouldn't lay on his back so I could take a picture of his bottom side - to modest I guess.  He ate a good lunch and then went back into his crate to rest.
Ethel

November 14, 2006

Mr. Buck had his stitches removed on Friday. The swelling in his back leg has gone down, but he is still holding it up when he walks. Dr. Fine suggested that he swim in the bath tub and use that back leg without putting weight on it. We attempted the first swim lesson last night. He didn't like it but did move the leg for about 4 minutes. He has gained some weight and is holding at 11 lbs for now.

Here is an updated picture of him in his new red sweater.

Ethel and Mr Buck

Update 11/30/06
Buck is heading to his new home this weekend.  His new mom is a 3-year vet student!  Congrats to Buck and his new mommie!
Angie

Update 12/25/06

It is with a heavy heart that we update you with some very sad news.  Luann wrote earlier on 12/24/06 that little Buck had taken a turn for the worse.  The heart valve (opposite one that had been the problem all along) was no longer functioning properly and he would not survive without a valve transplant and he was not a good candidate for any longer due to his declining heart condition and scarring.  After talking with Kelley (new furever mom) and Ethel (Buck's foster mom) they came to the conclusion that Little Buck had been through enough.  We ask that you keep Ethel (his foster mom) and his new furever mom and dad in your thoughts and prayers. 

We were so hopeful for our Little Buck.  It appeared he had finally made it over that mountain he had to climb after showing up late this past summer as that sweet, yet very weak little puppy whose little heart was all boogered up.  His furever mom was a vet student and had fallen in love with little Buck during his stay at the hospital. She asked if she could apply to adopt him when he was given a medical clearance and this way should he have any complications, she had the training to be there for him.  Who knew the other valve would crash on us all....

So, to all those who had prayed and kept Little Buck in your thoughts, to all those who sent in donations to help offset his vet bills and try to get this puppy better - we at Westie Rescue of Missouri pause to say thank you - from the bottom of our broken hearts.

God speed Little Buck.... what a brave little puppy you have been.