Leila's Heart Surgery

Meet Leila. She is probably the sweetest, most friendly dog ever. We rescued Leila in December 2013 and she quickly stole our hearts and the hearts of everyone who has had the privilege of meeting her. When we took Leila for her annual check-up in January this year, the veterinarian heard a significant heart murmur. Leila has since had 3 echocarciograms, including her most recent one at UC Davis. Leila has been diagnosed with multiple heart conditions. One condition is called patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). This is a pathway for blood flow that should have closed shortly after birth. The other condition(s) are related to a leak in her aortic valve, which has caused a large aneurysm (basically a "bubble" coming out from that valve). The aneurysm could burst without warning and cause her to die. Blood is not flowing completely in the correct direction as part of this condition and is pumping back into her aortic valve, causing the left side of her heart to be enlarged. While not all conditions can be corrected, we have a chance to possibly significantly increase her quality of life and life expectancy by having the first condition (PDA) corrected. The surgery is minimally invasive and could help decrease the amount of blood that is backing up into the aneurysm and causing the left side of her heart to be enlarged. The surgery, follow up with specialists at UC Davis, and her heart medications add up very quickly. We are asking for help with the cost of surgery so that we can give Leila the best quality of life possible and possibly double her life expectancy. She will always have the risk of complications from the conditions that cannot be corrected, but we want to do everything we can to help our girl. Any donations would be greatly appreciated!!

Thank you so much for reading about Leila and for your help. If you have any questions feel free to email us!

~Craig &Courtney (and Leila!)