UPDATE AS OF MARCH 24, 2010:
Adriana will remain a permanent foster with her foster family because she isn't well enough to be adopted. Her name has been changed to Marcy. Marcy just returned to her foster family after having spent a number of days in the hospital suffering from pneumonia. She has recovered this time, but unfortunately, those who suffer from mega esophagus are prone to pneumonia.
Meet Adriana and Angelina. They were 2 puppies in a litter of Whippets who came very close to dying. A breeder decided to downsize and contacted the shelter because she had heard good things about it. The litter was immediately taken into foster care because none of them had any vaccinations. Soon after arrival, Adriana and Angelina (pictured below) developed Parvo. Parvo is a highly contagious and often fatal disease that dogs can contract when they are not vaccinated.
Adriana will remain a permanent foster with her foster family because she isn't well enough to be adopted. Her name has been changed to Marcy. Marcy just returned to her foster family after having spent a number of days in the hospital suffering from pneumonia. She has recovered this time, but unfortunately, those who suffer from mega esophagus are prone to pneumonia.
Meet Adriana and Angelina. They were 2 puppies in a litter of Whippets who came very close to dying. A breeder decided to downsize and contacted the shelter because she had heard good things about it. The litter was immediately taken into foster care because none of them had any vaccinations. Soon after arrival, Adriana and Angelina (pictured below) developed Parvo. Parvo is a highly contagious and often fatal disease that dogs can contract when they are not vaccinated.
Euthanasia is many times considered when the diagnosis is Parvo. The disease is expensive to treat and treatment often doesn't work. However, it was decided to treat Adriana and Angelina anyway so that they might live to be adopted by forever families. Adriana's treatment cost $985.77 and Angelina's treatment was $604.60. Thankfully, both puppies responded postively and are now deemed Parvo free.
While this is fantastic news, the saga continues. Adriana beat Parvo, but once she began eating, she was diagonosed with Megaesaphogus. This disease can be contracted in numerous ways, but can also be congenital, as in Adriana's case. Megaesophagus is an enlarged or diluted esophagus. When suspected, it can be diagnosed by holding the puppy upside down by its back legs. The esophagus will bulge from the puppy's neck.
Symptons become noticeable when the puppy begins to eat quite heartily and then for no apparent reason, backs away from its dish to vomit. It will then eat what it vomited. By doing this, the food becomes liquified so that it can more easily pass into the stomach. This can cause some of the food to be aspirated into the puppy's lungs causing aspiration pneumonia.
There is no cure for Megaesophagus. Those puppies and dogs diagnosed with this disease must be watched carefully whenever fed. Food and water should be given in elevated bowls. Some dogs respond better to food that has been liquified or pureed; others do fine with solid food. Some dogs improve with age. However, no dog outgrows this totally. Dogs suffering from this disease should never be used for breeding purposes.
Adriana will suffer from this her entire life and will have to be constantly watched and taken for frequent doctor check ups. She is considered a special needs pup because she will always require extra attention and care.
Neither Adriana or Angelina are available at this time for adoption, however, the shelter could certainly use financial assistance in covering the cost of their Parvo treatments as well as for Adriana's Megaesophagus diagnosis. If a thousand people donated 2 dollars a piece, there would no financial burden on anyone. Please click on the Donate Now tab to donate via Paypal or send your check or money order to BCARL PO Box 115. St. Clairsville, OH 43950.
