Caleb's Surgery Is a Success!

Rabbi Caleb had his surgury for pulmonic stenosis on Friday July 11th. He came through the operation fine and will hopefully lead a normal happy life now. Many people would not have sought treatment for such a serious problem but his mommas love him very very much. He is now on his way home to continue being spoiled and pampered. Thanks to everyone who thought a good thought for this little guy and the wonderful doctors and vet techs who took such good care of him.

Thoughts and Prayers Needed for a Special Puppy

Keppy asks that everyone think good thoughts and send prayers for a special puppy RC (Rabbi Caleb) who will be undergoing heart surgery on 11 July 2008. RC has a pulmonary stenosis like Keppy but is having more symptoms and needs the surgery. The good news is that if he comes through surgery the prognosis is excellent, but the surgery itself presents risks as with any heart surgery. Keppy sends good thoughts and Momma K asks the Polly Wolly Wawa angel to hover over RC and bring him blessings from heaven. Hugs and kisses to the Rabbi Caleb and his mommies.

Keppy and the Heart Doctor

The mean veterinarian had heard a very bad murmur in the Keppy heart, and said Keppy must go see a specialist. The day came, when Keppy got big enough, to go see the heart specialist. Momma K took the Keppy to a big horse hospital where the heart specialist had her ultrasound machine that could show Keppy's blood going through her heart in all different colors. The heart doctor just melted at the little Keppy- "Oh how cute is SHE?" as she petted Keppy's head. The assistant was very nice and gently took Keppy and laid her on the special table. She talked sweet words to Keppy while she put cool gel on Keppy's side and belly. Keppy seemed to know this was very important, as she laid quiet as the assistant held her on her side. Momma K stood by, telling Keppy she was being very good and would get a big cookie afterwards.
The heart doctor started rubbing the probe up and down on Keppy's side watching the screen that showed Keppy's heart beating. She turned dials and adjusted levers and the picture changed to a graph of Keppy's heartbeat. She turned another knob and Keppy's heart sounds could be heard "FLUB DUB FLUB DUB". So loud! Keppy didn't like it and wanted to get up! The doctor turned the sound down and switched back to the picture. She turned more knobs and pretty colors came like fireworks- red and blue and yellow! All this time she did not say anything to Momma K. She studied the screen and measured Keppy's heart and kept switching back and forth to different pictures of Keppy's heart. Finally she put the probe down and said OK. The assistant handed Keppy to Momma K and Keppy gave her so many kisses. Momma K hugged Keppy and told her what a good girl she had been.
Then came the words that made Momma K very sad. ' I am afraid this puppy has several bad problems with her heart. She has a severe subaortic stenosis, a moderate pulmonary stenosis, and a mitral valve insufficiency". She went on to explain that this meant Keppy's major blood vessels out of her heart to her lungs and body were too skinny for the blood to flow through normally. This would make the blood gurgle through instead of flow smoothly. Eventually a blood clot would form and go to Keppy's lungs or back to her heart and kill her suddenly. 'I am so sorry" said the nice doctor- "Keppy is so cute, but she probably will not live until her first birthday." Momma K felt all wobbly- "Is there a surgery that can fix Keppy's heart?" she asked. "This puppy has so many problems-it would be very hard to fix her heart. There are some medicines she can take to help the blood flow slower through her heart, but they will only postpone the inevitable". Momma K thanked the doctor and her assistant and took the Keppy home where she gave her the cookie she promised her. She vowed that for what time Keppy had on earth, Momma K would make sure Keppy was as happy as she could be...