Faith – Columbus, OH
ESRA Special Needs Springer
ESRA #2011-139 OH
Date of Birth: 8/29/2010
Gender: Female
Color: Black and White
Ohio’s little Faith is a bundle of energy and happiness. You might even call her “a pistol!” Once she was brought into ESRA’s care, therefore, we were amazed to discover that she has a life-threatening birth defect. Faith was diagnosed with a significant heart murmur at Toledo Area Humane Society. To learn more, she next underwent an echocardiogram and chest x-ray at Ohio State that confirmed that the murmur is caused by “PDA” — patent ductus arteriosus. The ductus arteriosis connects the aorta and pulmonary artery, and is supposed to close in the first few days of life. When it remains open, too much blood passes to the lungs. This condition has resulted in Faith’s starting to accumulate fluid in her lungs, and the apparent enlarging of the left side of her heart.
An expensive surgical procedure has a 95 to 98 percent success rate in correcting this defect when diagnosed early. If ESRA can raise the funds to provide this surgery for Faith, she has an excellent prognosis for the long and happy life she deserves. If left untreated, 60 percent of dogs with PDA die within a year of diagnosis. Faith needs this life-saving surgery and we hope to provide it as soon as possible.
There are two paths of surgery — an invasive procedure to go in through the chest wall to tie off the offending valve or the alternative catheterization to shut down the offending valve. The invasive surgery has a greater chance of complications and would be more painful to Faith. Catheterization, preferred by the cardiology team, has less chance of complications and discomfort, but is more costly.
Unfortunately, OSU is anticipating a 20 percent budget cut due to financial issues within the State of Ohio which impacts the ability of the OSU vet school to offer discounts to rescue groups. Therefore, depending on the surgical path we choose, the preliminary estimate to correct Faith's heart defect is somewhere between $2000 and $2500.
Little Faith will need lots of ESRA supporters to get her the help she needs. Just one look at that hopeful happy face, even if you can't witness her enthusiasm in person, will hopefully assure her a long happy life! We’ll keep you posted! Check back here for updates!
SPECIAL NOTE FROM FAITH HERSELF 2/16/11 I'm loving all the attention I'm getting from ESRA and have joined the "Social Revolution" with my very own Facebook page to share my happiness and my story with the world. Check out my page, be my friend and stay in touch!
POST-SURGERY UPDATE 2/19/2011 Faith underwent the repair of her heart defect on Thursday; the surgery, which was a sophisticated procedure, went smoothly and was a success. The post-surgery ECG showed that blood is now being pumped normally by her heart. Prognosis with closure of the ductus is very good, and she should live a normal life.
She is back home today and it seems like she has even more energy! The biggest challenge now is to keep the brakes on this non-stop puppy. She doesn't understand why she can't go out and roughhouse with the other kids. We are keeping her entertained with a variety of fun toys, as well as letting her sit in our lap a lot. In 14 days she'll have her stitches removed and will be evaluated.
Keep Faith and her caregivers in your thoughts for the next two weeks! This period of restricted movement and playtime for this little ball of energy may prove to be a trying time for us all!
A big thank you to all of those listed below who are helping with the cost of the surgery and convalescence of this special little girl. You can keep up with her progress here on her Special Needs page or watch for reports of her antics in her own words on her Facebook page. Faith is very deserving of your support and your friendship!
Contact: Mary Guttieri at mgttri@embarqmail.com if you want to hear more about Faith.
CLICK HERE IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SPONSOR FAITH
| FAITH’S GENEROUS SPONSORS TO DATE: | |
|---|---|
 Diane and Tony Foos |
In honor of the 3 M's — Morsel, Maple and Molly |
| Michelle Reichlin/Simplified Facilities Group |
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| Rise Wagner |
In memory of Abigail, the perfect lady |
| Kolleen Wick |
In memory of Coco Chanel |
| Jennifer King |
In memory of Toby who also had PDA but his could not be fixed. I miss him every day. |
| Jerry Shurell |
In memory of Rinaldo |
| Allie, Carl and Ashleigh Kannenberg |
A gift in honor of Morsel, Maple and Molly |
| Mary Guttieri |
A gift for Rise Wagner in memory of Carl “Joe” Winicker, Jr., in thanksgiving for the dogs he helped to rescue during his life |
| Ruth Libbey |
In memory of my beloved Bella and her spirit, to this precious girl who looks so much like her. |
| Anonymous |
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| Pam and Ray Williams |
A gift for Faith, that wonderful little Springer who needs us, in memory of Rise Wagner's special friend, Joe, who loved dogs and helped so many |
| Lynn Skochdopole |
In memory of Joe Winicker, dog lover and rescuer |
| Jane Sweeney |
In memory of Buddy and Holly |
| Linda Lintz |
A gift for Rise Wagner in memory of a very special rescue friend, Joe Winicker. His kindness to our animal friends will never be forgotten. |
| Ron Jacobson |
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| Shelley Dearmin |
For Faith from CJ, our six month old ESS puppy, who could be Faith's liver and white twin |
| Maryann Edwards |
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| Greg Ledford |
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| B. Smith |
In memory of Chelsea |
| Karen Clark |
In memory of Mollie, mother of Topaz and in honor of Lacey, fate tore us apart but I will always love you! |
| Jack and June Beasley |
In honor of Teddy |
| Anonymous |
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| Phil Sproat |
A gift for Rise Wagner in memory of Joe Winicker |
| Carol Sanderson |
In memory of Rise's friend, Joe — now reunited with many of the wonderful dogs he loved and rescued. |
| Mike and Judy Meyer |
In memory of Molly and Cocoa |
| Maxine Anstett |
In memory of Scoopie and in honor of Tysee and Shelby |
| Tammy Immell |
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| Bill and Gay Sterling |
A gift for Faith from Tug, the Sterling's Special Needs Graduate, in memory of Joe Wiicher, Rise's soul mate |
| Bob and Sharon Kazimore |
In memory of Pattie ad Dottie |
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