Little Maggie, the Maltipoo, was a sick puppy, and we needed to "buy her a miracle". It wasn't cheap; but we knew if we didn't try, she would not live long. Maggie is a tiny 3 month old puppy who weighs around 3 pounds and had a Liver Shunt.

Liver Shunts cause serious and sometimes fatal outcomes in dogs. A liver shunt is a normal fetal blood vessel that in the womb bypasses liver tissue, allowing the mother's system to filter out toxins for the developing baby. In some animals, however, the shunt remains open after the animal is born, compromising its liver function, slowing growth, and eventually resulting in death of many affected animals. A technique developed at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville (UTK) several years ago implants an ameroid constrictor, a tiny C-shaped piece of metal ring. The constrictor fits around the shunt, causing it to slowly shut down over several weeks, and in effect normalizes the liver's ability to handle protein. Maggie had her first appointment at UTK Thursday, 7/12/07, with Dr. Tobias; and her surgery was scheduled the very next day.

SCMR is raising funds to cover the costs associated with Maggie's surgery and any additional tests which she may require. Maggie's life-saving surgery was a little over $1,400. Please consider donating to help us cover the cost of sweet Maggie's life saving surgery. You can read "Maggie's Journal" on our website, and we will send out newsletter updates as often as possible.

Look how wonderful our sugar babies are doing! Sherry (L) and Wendy (R) are little diabetic girls who are still looking for that special someone to love. They only require 2 shots a day, and they don't make a fuss about it! If you think you might be that special someone who can give that little extra for one of these girls, please contact us.

 

Executive Board member and North Carolina Intake Coordinator, Dana Bradley, was initially contacted about 20 puppy mill Maltese that needed rescue. Dana along with other animal advocates rented a van and drove several hours to meet someone to pick the dogs up. Once they arrived, they discovered that the breeder had only released 7 of the 20 dogs. Apparently, she wanted to wait on the release of the other dogs because they might be pregnant (we can only hope they aren't).

We hope to be contacted in the near future about the other little ones so they can be saved from the life of living in a cage and being constantly bred.

Once everyone arrived home safely, all were given baths and grooming done on those that needed it.

SCMR wants to thank our North Carolina members and supporters for everything they do to help these little ones who so desperately need rescue. All these Maltese are now in their foster homes and are awaiting their new forever homes.

The Food and Drug Administration has finally approved Vetmedin (pimobendan), a new drug for the management of the signs of mild, moderate, or severe (modified New York Heart Association Class II, III, or IV) congestive heart failure in dogs due to atrioventricular valvular insufficiency or dilated cardiomyopathy. Vetmedin, a new molecular entity, is the first drug approved to treat congestive heart failure in dogs, in over ten years. Vetmedin is indicated for use with concurrent therapy for congestive heart failure (e.g., furosemide, etc.) as appropriate on a case-by-case basis.

Congestive heart failure is one of the more common heart problems seen in dogs, especially older smaller breeds. It is a complex and serious condition defined as the heart's inability to function normally, leading to excessive retention of water and salt causing fluid build-up in the lungs. Signs of congestive heart failure include fatigue and weakness, decreased ability to exercise, shortness of breath (fluid build up in the chest), increased respiratory rate, coughing, weak or irregular pulses, rapid or irregular heart beats and distended abdomen (fluid build up in the abdomen).

Vetmedin has revolutionized the treatment of congestive heart failure in dogs, and the quality of life & life expectancy of canine patients. Vetmedin both eases the resistance in the circulatory system by dilating blood vessels, and improves the efficiency with which the heart can function as a pump. The combined effect is therefore improves cardiovascular function and the blood flow to major organs.

The results seen in cardiac patients with Vetmedin are dramatic. In one clinically controlled trial, dogs with congestive heart failure survived on average (median) 42 days without Vetmedin, 217 days when Vetmedin was part of the therapeutic regime.

SCMR has little one with a severe heart condition, Velcro. Velcro is a sweet little who weighs around 4 lbs. and is around 10 yrs old. He spent his entire life in a puppymill; and he now is being shown what love is. Unfortunately, Velcro has a severe heart condition. We currently have him on Vetmedin which has recently been approved in the US by the FDA. We don't know how much time he has left. Whether it is a few months or a couple of years, he will be well cared for. His medication runs between over $50 a month. If you would like to sponsor Velcro, it would be greatly appreciated. We would also be willing to adopt Velcro to a wonderful, loving home who would be willing to continue his medications.

More information is available at the Vetmedin website www.vetmedin.co.uk

Peanut Butter Cookies

Profit motives, myths, and outdated information determine what your dog eats, even what vaccinations and medications she/he gets. Your dog needs an advocate: YOU! Purchase Scared Poopless - The Straight Scoop on Dog Care, and learn the truth about pet food and nutrition, vaccinations, parasite control, pet meds and much, much more from the mouth of a witty, opinionated dog. There are 89 really fun full color photos in 272 fully-indexed pages. This really is an extremely informative book that you'll absolutely love!

• WINNER, Ben Franklin Award: Best Health Book of any kind
• WINNER, USABookNews Award: Best Animal/Pet Health Book
• Rec'd by the Animal Protection Institute, the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association Journal and Betty White