At just four months old, a playful, affectionate Pit Bull Terrier mix known as Ekko faced a life-threatening condition: severe pulmonary valve stenosis. This congenital condition, restricts blood flow from the heart, could have led to congestive heart failure and tragically cut his life short.
Thanks to the Massachusetts Animal Shelter Support (MASS) Coalition, a statewide partnership led by the MSPCA-Angell and committed to ensuring animals receive the care they need, Ekko got his chance at a healthy life. He was transferred to MSPCA-Angell from the Berkshire Humane Society, one of the MSPCA-Angell's MASS partners. Diagnosed with a grade 5/6 heart murmur, Ekko required specialized treatment that's often hard to access in western Massachusetts. But through this collaborative network, he was quickly evaluated and cared for by the MSPCA-Angell's top cardiology team in Boston.
Ekko arrived in early April and underwent a series of tests that confirmed the worst: the restricted blood flow had already caused his heart to enlarge, a dangerous development that increased the risk of sudden cardiac death. The cardiology team at MSPCA-Angell determined that the only viable option for the dog was a balloon valvuloplasty. This complex procedure involved guiding a catheter through the blood vessels into the pulmonary valve, then inflating a small balloon to open the valve and restore healthy blood flow.
On May 21, the balloon valvuloplasty procedure was performed by Drs. Terry Huh and Sarah Rogg of MSPCA-Angell's cardiology team, with the support of experienced anesthesiologists and highly trained support staff. Ekko received close anesthesia monitoring to make sure the hole in his heart didn't compromise his oxygen levels during surgery. Thanks to the skill and care of the entire MSPCA-Angell team, the surgery was a success!
Another hurdle presented itself in Ekko's medical care: the cost. His surgery and associated expenses came to nearly $12,000. Fortunately, the MSPCA-Angell offers the Carter Luke Pet Care Assistance Fund. This fund, supported by generous donors like you, provides shelter animals and pets from low-income households with access to lifesaving medical care.
Following surgery, Ekko returned to his foster home to continue healing, and over the next couple of months, he gradually regained strength and energy. Soon he'll be ready for adoption!
Your gifts make stories like Ekko's possible! When you give to the Carter Luke Pet Care Assistance Fund, your support doesn't just help save dogs like Ekko, but it also helps ensure the MSPCA-Angell can say "yes" to other animals who need lifesaving care, too.
