Our Sick and Injured Dogs
Some of the dogs we rescue have severe illnesses or other serious medical issues that are much more costly than the money brought in by adoption fees. To help nurse these dogs through their medical needs so that they can eventually become healthy and
NOTE: In the event that donation amounts are raised in excess of the required vetting for any particular clinic dog, the overage will be used to assist other current or future New Rattitude clinic dogs. All clinic funds stay within the clinic specifically for dogs with special financial health needs.
Darby and Didi – Heartworm Treatment
In the Canine Clinic – Darby and Didi
When New Rattitude welcomes a heartworm positive dog into our rescue, our hearts hurt for them. We know the treatment is painful, the recovery time is slow, and during the recovery they must remain very inactive to ensure no complications occur as the dead heartworms are disintegrating. This means crate rest, no walks, and definitely no running.
New Rattitude is heartbroken for Darby and Didi, who are both heartworm positive. They are hurting now, and it’s a shame that they have to endure this pain when this disease is so easily avoided with monthly heartworm preventative. But eventually these two ratties will be able to put this behind them and go on to live long, healthy lives.
The cost of treatment for heartworm disease is much greater than our adoption fees cover. If you could help us with a donation towards heartworm treatment costs for Darby and Didi we would be so thankful!
Last updated: 8/18/2019
If you prefer, you can mail a check or money order to:
New Rattitude
P.O. Box 14064
Lansing, MI 48901
Please be sure to write “Sponsor Darby and Didi” in the note field of your check. THANK YOU!
Sadie — Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA)
Little 3-year-old Sadie was diagnosed with PDA — Patent Ductus Arteriosus — a congenital defect where the large blood vessel running from the aorta to the pulmonary artery does not close after birth, which is supposed to close soon after the newborn puppy takes its first breath, but that didn’t happen in Sadie’s case. Sadie needs Transvenous Catheterization, to fix this defect. This is a non-invasive procedure where a long catheter is passed through a small incision inside one of the hind legs into the abnormal vessel using video x-ray, and a device called an Amplatz Canine Ductal Occluder (ACDO) is then deployed to stop the abnormal blood flow by causing a blood clot to close off the abnormal blood vessel. Although this is an expensive $5,000 procedure, Sadie will die without it. With it, Sadie can live a perfectly normal life with a normal lifespan.
UPDATE 5/21/19: Sadie’s surgeon was unable to perform the Transvenous Catheterization procedure because her arteries were too small, so another skilled surgical team took over to perform a Surgical Ligation PDA instead. This procedure was more invasive, as it involved open chest surgery to directly tie off the vessel, but we are happy to report that the surgery was a success and Sadie is doing well! Our fundraising goal has been adjusted to the actual invoice amount, $4,020.
If you prefer, you can mail a check or money order to:
New Rattitude
P.O. Box 14064
Lansing, MI 48901
Please be sure to write “Sponsor Sadie” in the note field of your check. THANK YOU!
Mr. Gower, Cayden, and Pip — Severe Dental Disease
These three distinguished Rattie gentlemen all have the most common disease in dogs—periodontal disease — a condition that results in oral pain, tooth loss, and infection. Pip was rescued with an already advanced case of pneumonia. Although he is finally clear of the pneumonia, Pip is still wheezing, and has congestion in his nasal passages and head. A dental cleaning is medically necessary and will help him to fully turn the corner. Mr. Gower has stage 4 periodontal disease and is in serious need of a dental cleaning, extraction of teeth, and repair of oronasal fistulas, which are abnormal openings between the oral and nasal cavities. Cayden also has severe periodontal disease. In fact, the vet said that every one of his tooth sockets appear to have disease. For all three of these Ratties, the dental cleaning and extractions will make them feel so much more comfortable and give them a great new start towards improved overall health, overcoming the years of neglect they’ve all experienced. New Rattitude has a goal of $1,200 to pay for the low-end range of the estimates we’ve received for their treatment, and would appreciate any donations you can throw their way!
Last updated 8/16/19
If you prefer, you can mail a check or money order to:
New Rattitude
P.O. Box 14064
Lansing, MI 48901
Please be sure to write “Sponsor Dental Dogs” in the note field of your check. THANK YOU!