Back in July of 2007 the local canine rescue organization called K9 New Life brought an approximately 6 month old Boston Terrier-Bulldog mix into our practice for an evaluation. He had been turned into Norfolk Animal Control by his previous owners for having birth defects that were too cost prohibitive for the owners to pursue correction. K9 New Life took him in.

On first evaluation the puppy was small for his age, and was experiencing intermittent head tremors. He had a large, bulging umbilical hernia on his belly. His previous medical records indicated that earlier that month he had been experiencing some gastrointestinal problems. His belly seemed to be painful, and he walked with a hunch. Going to the bathroom was difficult for him. The previous veterinarian took X-rays and noticed an abnormality… part of his intestines seemed to be in his chest! He was then referred to a surgical specialist for evaluation and diagnosed with a periocardio-peritoneal diaphragmatic hernia.

Put simply, this puppy’s intestines and abdominal organs were moving forward through a hole in his diaphragm (the muscle that divides the chest from the abdomen). Not only that, the intestines were moving into the thin sac that surrounds the heart,  making it difficult for his heart to beat! He was experiencing pain and difficulty going to the bathroom because his intestines were getting squeezed and twisted in such a small space, and digestion was difficult. On top of all that, he was born with a hole in his belly wall where his umbilical cord was attached to mom when he was still in her womb. Structures within his belly were also protruding through this defect. Poor guy!

This puppy’s only chance for a normal life rested with surgical correction of these birth defects. On 7/6/07, Dr. Key performed surgery to repair his problems. She was able to retract the intestines that moved into his chest back through the hole they moved through, and sewed the hole shut. In addition, she endeavored to correct the defect in his abdomen where his umbilical cord was.

The puppy recevered well from surgery, but had to say in our hospital for about a week. During this period, one of our assistants, Terri Whitlock, bonded with the pup… and she agreed to take him home in the evenings so he could get a taste of home life instead of hospital life. And as they say… “that was all she wrote,” because pretty instantly she knew he belonged in the busy household with 2 kids and several other pets.

Her 3 year old named the puppy “Sullivan” after the character from the movie Monsters, Inc, but everyone calls the little dude “Sully.” He has a face only his mother (and everyone else he comes across) could love. While his umbilical hernia recurred, it remains small enough not to be a threat to him, and he lives a very happy life being adored by his wonderful family. He may not have been born perfect, but he sure seems to be a perfect addition to the Whitlock household.

And here he is, putting on his best smile of gratitude for those who gave him the chance! :

Filed under: Cases to Share