Squirrel's Story
Squirrel was a homeless dog living in a rural county shelter in southern Ohio. He did well in playgroups, and we believed this young guy would thrive in a foster home. Thankfully, we were right — Squirrel acclimated quickly. He’s quiet in his crate, housebroken, and gets along wonderfully with the other dogs. He’s a bit shy, but incredibly sweet — there’s nothing not to love about him.
During his routine veterinary visit for neutering, a heart murmur was discovered. We decided to postpone the surgery and instead scheduled an echocardiogram to learn more about his condition.
Unfortunately, the results weren’t what we had hoped for. Squirrel has a congenital defect on the right side of his heart. This type of heart condition is rare, and sadly, there isn’t much that can be done to correct it. While his life expectancy may be shorter, Squirrel is currently able to enjoy all the fun and energy of any young dog, for as long as his body allows.
He will now take daily heart medication and receive regular check-ups throughout the year to monitor his condition.
The echocardiogram alone cost $395, not including his neuter and vaccinations. We are working with our veterinarian to determine the monthly cost of his medication.
Although we’re saddened by his diagnosis, we’re committed to giving Squirrel the medical care he needs to live his best life — full of love, comfort, and play.
Mabels's Story
Mabel and her sister Maggie were abandoned in Kentucky before making their way up to Northeast Ohio. These young pups were about 7 months old when they arrived.
Within a few weeks of being in rescue, Mabel started to show difficulties with mobility and also had a high fever, She was taken to Metropolitan Veterinary Hospital for immediate assessment. After bloodwork, x-rays, and a physical exam, our sweet girl was diagnosed with Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy (HOD).
This painful disease can occur in puppies as they are growing. The joints become very inflamed, making it difficult for the pup to move. Mabel’s case was severe and she spent two days hospitalized to get her temperature to a normal level and her pain under control. Mabel’s hospitalization total was $2,644.
Mabel has received follow-up veterinary care and has not shown any signs to recurrence of HOD!
Louie's Story
Louie came to Rescue330 from a rural county shelter with clear signs that he needed help. He had visible hair loss, a strong odor from his skin, and poor dental health. Before we could schedule his neuter, Louie was seen by our veterinarian to begin addressing his skin condition and receive routine care.
During that visit, we discovered that Louie is heartworm positive. Routine bloodwork also revealed elevated liver levels, so we began him on a supplement to help. While follow-up tests showed some improvement, his levels were still higher than our vet would like. To better understand what was going on, Louie underwent an echocardiogram and abdominal ultrasound to check for masses or other issues. These tests led to the addition of a heart medication and another supplement to his care routine.
Next, Louie is scheduled for his neuter, dental cleaning, and his first of three heartworm treatments. Each heartworm treatment costs $180, in addition to the cost of his tests, bloodwork, medications, and surgery.
Despite everything, Louie remains our sassy little man—full of spunk and ready for a second chance.