Zach’s Heart Under Siege
Zack is just four years old, full of life, love, and energy. But his heart is under siege. Surrendered for being “too active,” this joyful pug now faces a deadly diagnosis: caval syndrome, a rare and life-threatening complication of heartworm disease. His only hope lies in a high-risk, life-saving surgery at Texas A&M University.
From our Medical Coordinator, Signe: Zack came into rescue as an owner relinquishment. His foster immediately noticed he had oddly colored reddish-brown urine and suspected a bladder infection. After an exam and lab work, it was quickly determined that he was heartworm positive, and our doctors suspected he might have a condition called caval syndrome. This was confirmed by an exam and an echocardiogram by a veterinary cardiologist. Caval syndrome is a later-stage complication of heartworm disease and is life-threatening. A large number of heartworms collect in the right atrium, ventricle, and vena cava, blocking blood flow. In Zack's case, his cardiologist found the worms in the tricuspid valve, preventing it from closing. Caval syndrome causes anemia, cardiac failure, kidney failure, and eventual death. Zack's only hope is to go to Texas A&M University for a procedure that involves general anesthesia and manual removal of the worms by placing a specialized surgical instrument such as forceps or a snare through the jugular vein and into the right side of the heart. Although the prognosis for Zack is grave and the procedure carries a high risk of death, we feel that such a young, happy boy deserves the right to have a chance to live. Without the surgery, there is no chance for survival.
Zack didn’t choose this fight, but with your help, we can give him a fighting chance. Your donation could be the difference between heartbreak and hope. While we can’t promise the outcome, we can promise with your support to do everything possible to get Zack the care he needs and the chance he deserves.
Thank you for standing with him. DONATE HERE.
