Tails Of Hope

Here are inspiring stories from just a few of the pets and pet owners the MVA Hope Foundation has helped. Check back often as we will update the page with new stories as we receive them.

Frenchy

On Wednesday, Oct. 19, Justin Greco, DVM, DACVS, will perform surgery on Maltese mix rescue dog Frenchy. She suffers from patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), a congenital cardiac defect that is fatal unless surgically corrected. Frenchy, who is between 1 and 2 years old, was about to be adopted when Dr. Allison Kulow, a contract veterinarian for Rochester Animal Services, discovered the Maltese mix had a heart murmur that sounded serious. The potential adopters withdrew from the adoption after learning Frenchy could have a serious health condition.

But Animal Services volunteer Ginny Randisi would not give up so easily on Frenchy. She reached out to the MVA Hope Foundation, requesting assistance in acquiring a cardiac ultrasound and other tests to identify Frenchy's specific condition. The MVA Hope Foundation communicated with Veterinary Specialists of Rochester, who agreed to waive $600 in fees to help Randisi and Animal Services learn more about Frenchy's condition.

Anna Gelzer, DVM, Diplomate ACVIM (Cardiology), performed a cardiology consult at Veterinary Specialists of Rochester, including a complete physical examination, an echocardiogram and an electrocardiogram. Dr. Gelzer concluded that Frenchy has a left to right shunting PDA, which is common in the Maltese breed and is caused by a blood vessel that does not close after birth like it should. Her condition is completely curable with a serious surgery, which will cost about $4,000, including a surgical fee, post-operation hospitalization, anesthesia, surgical instruments needed to complete the complex surgery and more.

Luckily, Animal Services, the MVA Hope Foundation, the Animal Hospital of Pittsford, Nuts for Mutts Rescue, Inc., a local donor, and Veterinary Specialists of Rochester have worked together to bring about everything needed for Frenchy's procedure.

To read more about Frenchy's story, visit the press release on the Animal Hospital of Pittsford's website. Also, be sure to follow us on Facebook to stay updated on Frenchy's progress!

Hooch and Jennifer

Hooch is an 8-year-old standard smooth red dachshund. His mommy, Jennifer, describes him as full of expression, loyal, and fun. He loves the outdoors and is perceptive and understanding. He makes her laugh every day.

Recently, Hooch became very ill. He was retaining fluids. Jennifer learned that she needed to take him to Cornell Veterinary Hospital in Ithaca to have an echocardiogram so that doctors could make an exact diagnosis and prescribe treatment. In addition to veterinary bills already incurred at Bayview Animal Hospital, she was then faced with another bill for this costly diagnostic test. She contacted the Hope Foundation and was granted an award to help cover some of the costs.

Dr. Annette Jones, Hooch's regular veterinarian, noted that Hooch and Jennifer have been active participants in local dachshund events and that Jennifer strives to provide the best care for her pets.

Doctors determined that Hooch has right-sided heart disease and were able to formulate a treatment plan. He is currently on medication and doing well.

Hooch's sweet face shows how grateful he is…and we were happy to help him!

Kara and Pat & Charles

In April 2011, five-year-old Kara was diagnosed with diabetes. Although she was treated for her condition, she developed mature cataracts in both her eyes. Kara's veterinarian, Dr. Bob Lann of Greece Animal Hospital, referred her owners to Dr. Kent Burgesser, an ophthalmologist at Veterinary Specialists of Rochester. He recommended double cataract surgery and lens transplant.

Even though the procedure would be costly, Kara's owners decided to go ahead with the surgery. They wanted her to be able to see again. The staff members at Greece Animal Hospital admired the love Charles and Pat have for their dog, so they recommended them for a Hope award. The staff knew these devoted owners always do what is best for their dog's health.

Kara had her surgery in October and is expected to make a full recovery. Her diabetes is under control and she is doing well. Best of all, Kara can see again! This is quite a relief for Charles and Pat, who are appreciative of their Hope award. They said, "It is like a miracle to see her act like she did when she was a puppy."

Koshka and Robert

This is Koshka, the cat friend of Robert. In June, while Koshka was sitting in a window sill, the window came crashing down on her leg!

A few days after receiving emergency treatment, Koshka still was unable to put weight on her leg. Although he is unemployed and worried about the expense, Robert could not bear to let her continue limping. He contacted the Hope Foundation and was granted an award to help with the cost.

Robert took Koshka to her regular veterinarian at Brighton Animal Hospital. They did a fracture repair and put her in a cast.

We are glad Koshka is on the mend!

Merlin and Maria

When 12-year-old Merlin got sick, his family was also faced with other expenses because their two dogs, Cara and Roux, also required veterinary care. Merlin suffered from constipation, dehydration and renal failure. He needed tests to determine what was wrong and how it should be treated. For Merlin's owner, Maria, it was a lot of pet care in a short amount of time.

Merlin's vet, Dr. Carolyn Fisher at Suburban Animal Hospital, knew Maria and her husband are committed pet owners who treat their pets like family members. So, Dr. Fisher recommended that Maria receive a Hope Foundation award.

Merlin will require a special diet as well as continued treatment and care for his kidney disease, but he has been doing well at home. The award helped Maria afford the cost of the testing that Merlin needed.

"The thought of not having the option to at least try and help him was a heartbreaking and hopeless feeling," Maria said. "However, the Hope Foundation helped us out with that, and he did have the chance to get better!"

Rudy and Hope

Meet Rudy, a cavalier King Charles/border collie/Doberman, who was adopted by Hope in 2003 when he was one-and-a-half years old.

In January, Hope took Rudy to the Animal Emergency Service, where she learned he had pancreatitis that would require ongoing care for chronic flare-ups. Rudy's prognosis was good as long as he received ongoing medical care, including hospitalization, fluid pumps, professional treatments, medicines, and more.

Treating Rudy's illness became quite costly for Hope, but she refused to give up. Dr. Linda Banks of Stone Ridge Veterinary Hospital, Rudy's primary care veterinarian, saw how much Hope cared for Rudy.

Dr. Banks and Hope have known each other for a while, so Dr. Banks understood Hope's character and her love for Rudy and for all pets. "Hope loves her dog and tries to do the best she can for Rudy. Rudy is really all she has and I believe he gives her something to live for."

Hope said she felt grateful upon receiving an MVA Hope Foundation award, which has allowed her to continue providing the ongoing medical care Rudy needs. Rudy is doing well now, and Hope continues to be grateful for the award she received.

"I came very close to losing him," she said. "Thank God I didn't. I wasn't ready to give him up."

Shamus and Dennis

On Friday, May 13, 2011, Shamus, an Old English bulldog, was hit by a car. His owner, Dennis, immediately brought him to Animal Emergency Service in Rochester, where doctors stabilized him. Shamus had a large, open laceration on his back leg that needed cleaning and assessing.

For four days, Shamus remained in emergency care, where he received extensive wound care and bandage changes. Surgeons could then perform an operation to close his wound. Although on medications and receiving daily bandage changes from a veterinarian, Shamus went home to Dennis until he developed an infection in his wound three days later. The surgery team decided Shamus needed to receive daily anesthesia and more extensive wound management.

After more than 10 days total of hospitalization, Shamus returned home. With antibiotics and bandage changes every few days, Shamus's health is still improving. However, lengthy hospital stays and extensive wound care resulted in a significant bill for Dennis.

The doctors realized Dennis' dedication to his pet. They saw that Dennis would go above and beyond to help his dog heal. So, although Dennis covered most of the medical costs, the Hope Foundation provided him with an award to help.

"I wasn't expecting it, but it definitely helped out in a time of need," Dennis said.