Our rescued Boston Terrier trio have faced the battle from their individual medical conditions with incredible courage. Receiving thorough veterinary care for the very first time, these adorable Terriers all exhibited the utmost patience and tolerance with their examinations, grateful to finally be in the caring, compassionate hands of people who won’t give up on them.
Sadly, after six-year-old Sweetheart (renamed Violet) had surgery to remove the large mass from her perineal region, it was found to be a high-grade mast cell tumor. While the excisional margins were clean, these tumors are aggressive. Our Senior Foster Care Program Coordinator, Jenna Martiello, brought Violet home so she could heal comfortably. Subsequently it was determined that Violet is not a candidate for PDA surgery because she is growing new tumors at an alarming rate. She was recently started on a new medication to treat her cancer, and nonetheless is in great spirits. “Violet has no idea she has any health issues,” Jenna said. “She wakes up happy every day and wiggles into bed with me. Violet enjoys meal time and frolicking around the backyard. You can tell she is a dog who wants to live, and as long as she wants to fight, we will be beside her.”
River (renamed Homer) rested in the care of a foster family until he could be scheduled for surgery. All the while, he endeared himself to foster mom, Rosemary — a longtime supporter of Animal League America. Once Homer was in recovery from his PDA procedure, Rosemary’s challenge became keeping this little bolt of lightning calm since Homer is full of energy. Rosemary tells us that “the amount of light and life he brings is truly special” and she cannot imagine her house without Homer in it. We are thrilled that she decided to adopt him!
The youngest, Winston – now known as Bentley, needs PDA surgery to correct his heart defect as well, but his body is too small for the procedure. Bentley is being nurtured in his own foster home, where he can be safe until he’s a little older. A puppy version of the Energizer Bunny, his family is trying to harness Bentley’s vigor with some basic obedience training. Bentley is loving his new life and lucky him — he won’t have to leave! His foster parents decided to make him an official family member too.
Violet, Homer, and Bentley were all on the edge of survival when they came to us, but now, in addition to fresh monikers, they have a fresh start with people who love them. Whether the animals who come to us are young, old, or have significant medical conditions, we continue to strive for all of them to have as many joyful days as they possibly can.
Help Heal Generations of Neglect for a Boston Terrier Family
Recently rescued by Animal League America, this multi-generational trio of Boston Terriers is in need of emergency medical treatment. Six-year-old Sweetheart, one-year-old River, and three-month-old Winston share the same lineage and are all suffering from the same life-threatening, hereditary condition. What these family members also share is an affectionate disposition and easy-going nature, despite the challenging circumstances they have endured.
“Patent Ductus Arteriosus, or PDA, is a developmental problem of the heart,” explains Dr. Gerard Laheney, Senior Veterinarian at North Shore Animal League America. “The temporary ductus arteriosus vessel is supposed to close after birth. With PDA, it fails to close and causes extra blood to flow to the lungs, and increased stress on the heart and lungs.” Time is of the essence for these dogs, as the longer the condition is left untreated, the more likely it will result in permanent damage, including congestive heart failure.
Unfortunately, PDA is not the only condition that will need to be treated for these pups. Sweetheart also has a large, ulcerated tumor with concerning features on her perineum. Giving her anesthesia is too dangerous with a compromised heart, however, so her PDA must be addressed first. Winston’s “cherry eye”— the prolapse of an eyelid gland — is a common occurrence among certain dog breeds, and will be corrected with a surgical procedure.
Receiving thorough veterinary care for the very first time, these adorable Terriers all exhibited the utmost patience and tolerance with their handling and examinations, seemingly grateful to finally be in healing hands. Treating the critical issues for Sweetheart, River, and Winston requires an enormous financial expenditure, in addition to an extraordinary amount of time and attention.
At Animal League America we are committed to the care of these three special canines, and we won’t stop until they are healthy and ready for a new life with responsible, loving caregivers. It is what they deserve. Will you help?