Help Tuck Get Heart Surgery

Tuck is a 2 year old shelter pup who is full of love and is quick to offer a hug to everyone he meets. On Thursday, February 3rd, Tuck was diagnosed with Valley Fever, a common disease in animals and people in Arizona, and it has unfortunately manifested in his heart. This is a life threatening condition and he needs emergency surgery.

While his owner is able to afford a portion of his surgery and his treatment going forward, she is not able to cover the whole cost. Tuck needs a pericardectomy ($8,000), which is an invasive surgery and can require up to 5 days of hospitalization at almost $1,000 per day. They are looking for every avenue to be able to afford this surgery for Tuck and are also applying for grants that can help with any portion of the cost. Any donation would be greatly appreciated and would be a blessing.

Follow Tuck on Instagram: @tuck_likes_hugs

Tuck’s owner, Jordan, is a second year veterinary student at the University of Arizona and she adopted Tuck in July, 2021 from a local shelter in Tucson, Arizona. She says that Tuck was truly meant to be her dog because on the day that she visited the shelter, there were over 300 dogs available for adoption. Tuck was the last dog, in the last kennel, in the last building that she visited. You could say that it was love at first sight once she saw his beautiful blue eyes.

Tuck wins people over with his sweet and easygoing personality, as well as his never ending supply of free hugs. Jordan described one day that she was watching Tuck on camera at his daycare and saw an employee walk up to Tuck, pick up his front legs and hug him for a few minutes before the employee let him down. Tuck could have stood like that forever as long as someone was touching him.

If you live in Arizona and surrounding states, you have probably heard of Valley Fever. Valley Fever is a fungus that lives in the soil in the southwestern United States and it can affect both humans and animals. Many dogs here in Tucson can contract this disease and it can take on many forms even entering the bone, the central nervous system, and the heart. It can be a hard disease to treat and luckily a vaccine is currently being developed that will help prevent or limit the severity of the disease.

In Tuck’s case, the disease has manifested in his heart which led to pericardial effusion, which means that fluid has built up in his pericardium which then spread into his thoracic and abdominal cavities. Essentially, Valley Fever’s effect on the heart is that it toughens the pericardium which puts pressure on the heart, making it more difficult to pump effectively. Tuck needs a pericardectomy, which is a removal of the pericardium in order to help prevent fluid buildup and to allow the heart to pump more effectively. Luckily, Tuck is a strong dog and is able to undergo this surgery that will save his life.