BEHAF'S
Special Friends:

BALOO'S story:
Balou thanks all those who care

1-4-01:
Baloo is Bernese mountain dog puppy, and is black, rust, and white. He is currently 6 months and 3 weeks old. When we first got Baloo from the breeder we were aware he had a heart problem, but we wanted him to live the best life he could, even if only for a few months. And for the few months that we have had him, he has been a true joy in our lives and my best friend. As I think about the future, I can't bear the thought of living without him. Whenever I come home from school, even if I am having the worst day of my life, when I see Baloo all of my troubles are forgotten. Like all true friends, he accepts me for who I am. So you see why I need to save his life.

1-25-01:
Well, we went to U.C. Davis yesterday, as scheduled. His vet from the previous visit, Dr. Karen Sanderson, gave him an ultrasound and found that his condition has progressed. To correct his severe pulmonary stenosis they will be performing a procedure called a pulmonic valvuolplasty, in which they use a catheter from the jugular vein with a balloon that is used to tear open the stenotic valve so blood can flow more easily. They found that he also has a leak in his tricuspid valve (the valve between the right ventricle and his right atrium). This leak has caused the right atrium to enlarge. The vets hope that surgery will bring down pressure and slow the leak. The procedure will be performed Friday, January 26, 2001. We will pick him up the next day. You also might want to know that when his previous owner took him in, the blood pressure in his valves (I think this is how she put it) was 70 mmttg. For a normal dog it is 10 mmttg, and they don't consider it to be severe until it reaches 90. Yesterday, it was 180! They were very glad we brought him in. Dr. Sanderson has told us that this is a safe procedure and it is successful 90-95% of the time. While we were in the waiting room, however, we met a couple who had a berner puppy with exactly the same problem. Their puppy had the surgery last night or the day before and was unsuccessful. Believe me, I was scared. Our doctor said that it was a very rare coincidence that we met these people since they only had three cases of Bernese Mountain dogs with pulmonic stenosis in 12 years. In any case, the total expenses will cost between $1000-1200, including the 3-night boarding and the cost of neutering him while he is under the anesthesia. My mother has applied for a credit card that will allow us to pay off the surgery over a period of 3 months.

1-29-01:
I'm sorry to say that Baloo's surgery was unsuccessful. It was found that he has a fibrous ring above the valve, in a place that makes it impossible to tear open with the balloon. We will be flying him out to Fort Collins, Colorado so he can have a second operation in which they will open up his chest cavity and try to cut the blocked valve open. The vet he will be going to is Dr. Chris Orton. Baloo is currently on several medications prescribed by Dr. Sanderson. They fear he has pneumonia, so they gave us Clavamox, and to keep his fainting spells to a minimum, they gave us Atenolol, a beta blocker. They also gave us a special medication in case he goes suddenly into right heart failure. At the moment he is home and resting, and enjoying all of the attention. He has to wear a cone-collar and is shaved on his neck, belly, and paws. All in all, he looks extremely funny, but still cute.

To help Baloo, you can send your donation to:

BEHAF
25421 Wagner Rd
Caldwell ID 83607

(Please note "Baloo" somewhere on your check.)

To learn more about Pulmonic (Pulmonary) Stenosis you can read about it on Balou's special website here.

Read about a previous BEHAF Special Friend, "Chase" and his successful struggle with Valley Fever here.

TO LOVE ONE BERNER IS TO LOVE THEM ALL!

BEHAF'SSpecial Friends:

BEHAF'S
Special Friends: