A 4-month-old homeless pup from Western Mass. is on the road to a healthier future thanks to a heart operation he will receive through the MSPCA-Angell for a serious condition.
Ekko, a Pit Bull terrier mix, suffers from severe pulmonary valve stenosis, according to the MSPCA-Angell.
The condition puts Ekko at risk of congestive heart failure, which could cut his life much shorter than it should be, the MSPCA indicated.
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Ekko, who loves to play and snuggle, will now have a “chance at the full and happy life he deserves,” the MSPCA added.
Brought to Boston from the Berkshire Humane Society, Ekko is benefiting from the Massachusetts Animal Shelter Support (MASS) coalition.
“He had a 5/6 heart murmur, so it was clear he needed advanced care that’s really hard to get in that area,” Mike Keiley, the vice president of the MSPCA-Angell’s Animal Protection Division, said in a statement.
Keiley added that because of the partnership and the change in location, Ekko will “have access to the most advanced technology in veterinary medicine, not to mention world-class doctors.”
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Additionally, Keiley noted that the Pet Care Assistance fund, a program to help shelter animals and animals with owners get medical care, has been a “amazing resource and incredibly valuable” to provide financial support.
Ekko was originally brought from Pittsfield to Boston on March 21. Later, on April 8 he underwent testing. On May 21 he will undergo the surgery and will later be available for adoption once recovered in about two to four weeks post-operation.
The price of Ekko’s surgery and care is estimated to cost more than $10,000. Those interested in donating to the Pet Care Assistance fund to help offset these costs can do so on the MSPCA’s website.
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Ekko’s condition restricts blood flow to the right side of his heart, causing it to enlarge. The risk to his heart is so severe he could “literally drop dead,” Keiley said.
His condition has kept him from playing with other dogs in groups, but he has been able to enjoy the company of other dogs in “calmer scenarios,” Keiley said.
Keiley said Ekko will be a “really wonderful addition to the right family whenever he’s ready to find them.”
