Cinder.
Last year, our Pomeranian mom, Skye, started birthing her babies on October 8th. Cinder was baby number 3. Unfortunately, there was 1 more baby that just wouldn't come and we had to take Skye in for an emergency c-section, at which time the clinic also spayed her. Unfortunately, the last baby didn't make it.
Per our vet's request, at 8 weeks, we took them in to have them checked, vaccinated and start de-wormer. Our vet informed us during the visit that Cinder had a really loud heart murmur and that we needed to have her checked by a cardiologist.
We knew we couldn't let her go to a family without knowing anything about her murmur. We made an appointment with the closest cardiologist, at WSU. But it would be a few months before we could get her checked. May 16th was the soonest they could get us in.
At the appointment, we found out she had a Patent Ductus Arteriosus - left to right shunting with mild heart enlargement, and Atrial Septal Defect. It can be cured with closure, but without closure, she would develop congestive heart failure.
We knew that our little girl deserved a chance at a happy life and made the appointment for her surgery.
On June 1st, WSU implanted an Amplatz Canine Duct Occluder. This device prevents the flow of blood through the PDA.
Our follow-up with WSU to see just how well she is doing is scheduled for the end of October. We can already feel the difference in her heartbeat when you hold her.
She has the sweetest temperament and loves to cuddle with us. She is a permanent in our family of loving dogs and her smile says it all.
