[lovemyShepherd]

I decided to place Flyer aka Gaberilla on the urgent list because he lost his permanent foster home and has been in the only gsd foster home we have for 2 months We are unable to help GSD in Michigan because of this. Even though Flyer will never loose his foster home
many other Michigan Shepherds are unable to get our help.

Flyer's pet list

Flyer updates and pictures since he was a pup
Flyer aka Gaberille was born with a congenital birth defect is sometimes referred to as a 'hole in the heart.' In reality, there is no hole in the heart, but rather a hole between the heart chambers. Most commonly, this septal defect occurs between the right and left ventricles hence the name ventricular septal defect septal defect (VSD). He was given a few short months to live. We placed him in a permanent foster home but But this boy has a wonderful will to live and has lasted at his foster home for 2 years. Unfortunately his foster home could no longer foster and flyer had to be moved to a new foster home with Karen. Flyer can not be netered but his foster mom says he is a loving boy and deserving of a permanent home. He does have to a owner limit his activities because of his heart problem which does not slow him down at all. He plays and plays. He loves unconditionally and shows us all to live life to the fullest each and every day.. He is crate trained and gets along well with both other dogs and cats. Do you have room in your heart for an Angel?

 

[puppycraze]

 

[Prinzsalpha]

OMG he is gorgeous! Help for a home for this special guy!

 

[tibvixie101]

Ditto! He is sooo handsome!

Does he take any special meds, or can surgery fix this problem if money wasnt an issue?

 

[Lixx]

Beautiful boy!

 

[longhairshepmom]

here is a LOT of info on this defect...

http://www.upei.ca/cidd/Diseases/cardiovascular%20diseases/ventricularseptaldefect.htm

Seems like there are many variables to this...

Has the dog had a recent check up to monitor the degree of this defect? Is the dog on any medication to help with the symptoms of this defect?

 

[lovemyShepherd]

Flyer was on medication to pancrezyme to boost his emnenzys to help him digest food. As a small rescue we do not have the funds to take him to an heart specialist

 

[longhairshepmom]

Since he has lived so long and seems to thoroughly enjoy life, is there a way to begin a fundraiser or something like that, to take him to a Vet?

Doesn't neccessarily need to be a heart specialist. Any doctor should be able to determine the severity of the murmur (current) and see on x-ray or ultrasound, which , if any, other organs (lungs, etc) are affected and prescribe meds based on that...

I see it all the time, where people get rallied to help a certain dog, sometimes even a senior with not so many years left, yet he gets some expensive healthcare and a second chance at life.

I totally understand a rescue not being able to foot the bill for each of their dogs, but is there a way to get him out there for people to see and donate towards ?

Perhaps a regular Vet first ? Its entirely possible (based on the article) that the defect isn't as bad anymore as it started out with?

Dunno..just wondering. With a severe heart defect I doubt he would have made it as long as he has, even with lowered activity and such...

Does he get out of breath after playing? Is his color "bad" ? Does he have breathing difficulity even at rest?

 

[lovemyShepherd]

Flyer does see our vet regularly and has since we have had custody of him. He has a heart murmur and also a irregular heart beat. We have raised funds for surgries for special need animals in the past such as luxating pallets, and even a leg removal of a lab, but we are a very small all breed rescue. At this time do not have the funds for expensive test in which my vet feels would not cure him.

Our vet does not know why Flyer is still alive other than love and luck and a strong will to survive and when asked what eles we could do for him we were told other than seeing a heart specialist and having ekg's extra their was nothing. The pancrezyme to boost his emnenzys is what was prescribe.

Yes he is winded after playing and his foster mom must step in for him to take a break.
, he has to be coaxed to eat but his foster mom gives him veggies and other treats. He has some trouble putting on weight but that seems to be getting better since he was moved to Karens he had a bit of allergies which was treated .
He goes to the vet every few months to make sure he is not suffering and his foster does know what to look for as far as congestive heart failure or bloat. If at any time we feel he was suffering we would pts,

we had a permananet home that we continued his routine vet care and meds for but the lady decided he lived too long and started working longer hours and returned him.
Since he was moved to a new foster our main shepherd foster it was decided to try and find him either another permanent foster or forever home.
We did have one lead but a shepherd in ohio that was in a kill shelter took priority with the possible adopter. We realize it would take a very special person to adopt Flyer with his special needs we are just hoping to find one, because his foster mom can not help others while Flyer is in her home.

But we feel that Since we took responsibility of Flyer as long as he is not suffering and shows a strong will and enjoys life we have no other choice than what we are doing which is turning others in need away.

 

[katieliz]

lovemyshepherd, i've sent you a pm.

 

[animoosh]

love my shepherd, I have sent you a PM also.

 

[katieliz]

i am checking into the costs associated with having this boy evaluated and his condition worked-up at michigan state university cardiology department.

 

[Borrelli21]

Originally Posted By: katielizi am checking into the costs associated with having this boy evaluated and his condition worked-up at michigan state university cardiology department.

Where are you finding the time???

You rock!

 

[daniella5574]

He is GORGEOUS!! I hope he finds a special home to go to soon!

 

[Kaylas Mom]

BUMP!

 

[katieliz]

i have gotten information from michigan state on costs of a complete evaluation of flyer's heart condition, and i will cover those costs, if the rescue is interested in having an evaluation done by the best doggie docs in michigan, and can transport him from the saginaw area to lansing. i have pm'd them and await an answer. even if it is bad news and surgery would be so expensive that it's impossible to do, it seems to me he would have a better chance for a home if his condition was not unknown.

 

[longhairshepmom]

Originally Posted By: katielizi have gotten information from michigan state on costs of a complete evaluation of flyer's heart condition, and i will cover those costs, if the rescue is interested in having an evaluation done by the best doggie docs in michigan, and can transport him from the saginaw area to lansing. i have pm'd them and await an answer. even if it is bad news and surgery would be so expensive that it's impossible to do, it seems to me he would have a better chance for a home if his condition was not unknown.

You rule, you rock, did I mention YOU RULE ???

I fell in love with the dog, something about him...but I wouldn't be the right home for a dog with a severe heart defect. Having 3 dogs and a cat, there is always some commotion, although my crew is fairly laid back, no hyper wild ones here...hehe

I was hopeing that it was possible somehow to check this out further, at least the foster and new permanent home will know for sure what they're up again and what can be done. Or how it can best be lived with.

Just awesome.

You rock!

 

[lovemyShepherd]

I am in tears, I never expected such a generous offer.. I PM you and YESSSSSSSSSSSSSS we will do what ever we can to make this happen. Flyer truly has angels watching over him.. I just did not realize that they were living here on earth..

Thank you sooooooooooooooo much .. and trust me Flyer is an amazing boy that truly loves unconditionally and lives every day to the fullest..

 

[katieliz]

glad to be able to help this guy whose picture reminds me of my cashman.

 

[kathyb]

bump for this sick boy.