3/25/16: Please welcome Heckles! He is one of six bullies to join GEBR from a breeder. The breeder is facing some health issues and can no longer care for him or his litter mates. The person the breeder trusted to care for the puppies while she was ill did not take very good care of him and his litter mates. Heckles is suffering from a skin infection, malnutrion, double cherry eyes and he has a heart murmur. He are not certain of his vaccine history so we are starting from the beginning with all vaccinations. He will see the cardiologist and orthopedic specialist next week for evaluation. He is 6 1/2 months old. He likes others dogs but we do not know if he likes cats.
Update 4/1/16: Heckles saw the cardiologist today and was diagnosed with severe pulmonic stenosis. Pulmonic stenosis is a congenital heart defect of the semilunar valve that is between the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery (great vessel that takes blood to the lungs). The leaflets of this valve are thickened and/or partially fused together. His pulmonic valve pressure gradient measured at 161 mmHG (a dog with no heart issues measures at 25 mmHG). He will begin taking the medication Atenolol today to help control his heart rate and attempt to lower his pressure gradient. At the end of the month he will have surgery at UGA vet school to attempt to open the valves so blood can flow properly and further reduce his pressure gradient. A 50% reduction in pressure gradient is considered a successful surgery. This surgery will cost approximately $3,500.00. We do not yet know how his condition will affect his life span.
Update 4/5/16: Heckles saw the orthopedic specialist today. He has a mild luxating patella in one leg but surgery is not recommended.
Update 4/26/16: Heckles had a check up today and his pulmonic valve pressure gradient measured at 126 mmHG. He will have balloon valvuloplasty surgery in two weeks.
Update 5/11/16: Heckles had balloon valvuloplasty surgery today. They were able to insert the balloon but they were only able to blow the balloon up a certain amount and is pulmonic valve pressure gradient measured at 92 mmHG, reflecting an approximately 30% reduction in gradient. Unfortunately he is still considered to have sever pulmonic stenosis and is at a higher risk of heart failure in the future. There is still a 20% chance that the vessel with close again from scar tissue. He will see the cardiologist again in three months for a check up. If all is good at that time he should be cleared for his next surgery (neuter cherry eye repair and palate). We are not accepting adoption application for Heckles at this time.
Update 1/15/17: Heckles is having some behavior issues that we are working on with a board certificated behavior specialist. If and when we can get these issues under control he will be ready for adoption.
March 5th, 2018: Heckles crossed over the Rainbow Bridge today. Please keep his parents, Stephanie and Derek, and his brother Bilbo in your thoughts. Rest In Peace Heckles
