Update: Moose is scheduled for his catheter ablation but experienced an unexpected emergency over the weekend. He developed a Gastric Dilatation Volvulus (GDV) which is a life-threatening condition where the stomach twists on itself. This required emergency surgery for which he is now fortunately recovering from. The costs incurred for his life-saving surgery are around $5000 so the the fundraising goal has been increased to hopefully reach our goals and help fix him with both surgeries in mind. Any and all help is greatly appreciated as Moose is so deserving and worth it <3

Moose needs a heart procedure. Help us fix the Moose Tracts!

Moose is a 3-year-old male neutered Catahoula Leopard Dog mix with a heart rhythm condition called Orthodromic Atrioventricular Reciprocating Tachycardia (OAVRT). This is a curable rhythm problem using radiofrequency catheter ablation. This procedure is extremely specialized and requires traveling to Cincinnati, Ohio to have it performed. Anticipated costs are $5,000 for the procedure and then additional travel to get him there and initial follow up costs. Our goal will be $6500. Unfortunately, Moose's owners do not have the financial ability to pay for the procedure or manage his cardiac condition moving forward. They were facing the decision to put him to sleep. In a selfless act, they elected to surrender Moose's care in the hopes that he could have the procedure performed and live out a normal life with a loving family. I have taken him in with the hopes of raising the funds for his procedure and ultimately find him a great home.

Moose is a big sweet doofus that deserves a chance at a normal life! Any contribution towards that goal would be greatly appreciated :)

About OAVRT:

In the normal dog heart, electrical impulses start in the sinus node of the right atrium (top chamber of the heart) and conduct down to the AV node which then sends the impulse down to the ventricles (bottom chambers) to stimulate a heart beat. Normally, the AV node serves as the only connection for impulses to pass from the top chambers to the bottom chambers. In OAVRT, however, anomalous tracts present from birth can exist that can bypass the normal conduction system. The consequence of this tract is that impulses can conduct normally down to the ventricles but instead of the impulse terminating, the impulse can travel retrograde up the bypass tracts resulting in a continuous loop. The triggering of this continuous loop or reciprocating tachycardia causes a rapid heart rhythm over 300 bpm (normal for a large breed dog ~80-120 bpm). Protracted time spent at this high heart rate puts extra strain on the heart resulting in heart dysfunction, enlargement, and sometimes heart failure. Medications can be used to break the loop and restore normal rhythm for a period of time. Long-term medical therapy will often fail so radiofrequency catheter ablation is the treatment of choice as it offers a cure for this condition. The procedure involves general anesthesia and placing electrode catheters in the heart to map and localize where the anomalous tracts are and then subsequently deliver energy to abolish the circuit. The procedure carries a high success rate but in rare instances a second procedure may be warranted. In cases when the procedure is successful, prior damage to the heart can improve.