Suzy Q. is a 2 year old black and tan dapple miniature dachshund.  She was found as a stray wandering outside in the cold in Iowa in 2003.  A good samaritan found her and brought her to a local vet where she stayed in hopes that they could find the owner. Unfortunately no one posted losing a dog like her and she was never claimed. The vet contacted CCDR and made arrangements to get her into foster care. The vet offered to spay her but her examination showed she had a grade IV/V heart murmur, which for her age was very severe. At this time there was no indication of other problems so the decision to spay her was made, and it was hoped, that being young she would go through surgery without any complications. Even though she very thin and had this severe murmur, she made it through surgery and was released to her foster home for recuperation. Unfortunately, she developed a hernia from the operation and had to go through a second surgery to correct it.

In the meantime, Suzy settled in well at her new foster home.  Her foster home says she is such a great dog, gets along well with all of her four legged "siblings" and loves the children in her foster home.  She loves to squeak the squeaky toys and chew the noses off of stuff animals. A typical dachshund!

Because SuzyQ has such a severe heart murmur, CCDR felt she needed to see a specialist. Suzy was seen by a team of experts for 7 hours at Iowa State Veterinary School for a cardiac work-up - including x-rays and a cardiac ultrasound to evaluate her condition. The diagnosis was not good. Suzy has PDA ( Patent Ductus Arteriosus) which is a hole in the heart that is open while in the womb but is supposed to close upon birth. Suzy's didn't. The Good news is that it can be repaired by surgery and she will have a good chance of living a full, healthy life.  The bad news is that it's $1,500.00 for the surgery. The consultation and tests done to determine her condition was another $430.00. CCDR will make this happen because of generous people who understand that rescue gets dogs in who need some extreme help. The surgery will be scheduled as soon as possible since it appears that it is vital that she be operated on quickly. 

We will keep the updates coming because SuzyQ has many friends who are rooting for her. If you feel you can spare a dollar to two to help fund Suzy's operation and care, not only will she appreciate it but CCDR will as well. We are touched by all of our rescues but those that are young with such serious medical issues really get to us. Knowing that we can make a difference in the quality of life for Suzy compels us to do whatever we can to help her. 

Check back for updates. Her surgery should happen the week of April 19th. Hang in there Suzy, help is on the way!

Per the Merck Veterinary Manual here is the description of PDA
In fetal life, oxygenated blood within the main pulmonary artery is shunted into the descending aorta through the ductus arteriosus, thereby bypassing the nonfunctional lungs. At birth, several factors mediate closure of the ductus, which effects separation of the systemic and pulmonary circulatory systems. Inflation of the lungs allows the pulmonary circulation to function as a low pressure system, and closure of the ductus prevents shunting of blood from the high pressure systemic circulatory system into the pulmonary artery.