STAY paws-ITIVE

I am sharing Lucy's story in hopes of helping with the cost of a life-saving/life-changing surgery that will enable her to live a full, happy, healthy life!!! Her forever Mommy, Samar, is nervous but preparing for her fur baby's surgery/recovery and all that comes with it.

We are asking our fur baby ralliers, family, friends, STAY paws-ITIVE supporters, and pet-loving community to share, pray, and/or donate to help this Mommy/fur baby duo by relieving some of the stress that comes along with all of it.....

❤️ LUCY'S STORY ❤️

Lucy was born on January 10th, 2025. Her first puppy check-up came with a clean bill of health. She soon after matched with her forever Mommy, Samar, and the countdown to the day she would go to her forever home began. Her second puppy check-up at 8ish weeks came with concerning news, and immediately an ultrasound occurred days later at 9 weeks. Unfortunately, results showed Lucy was born with a congenital heart defect known as Patent Ductus Arteriosus, which is a persistent opening between the two major blood vessels leading from the heart.

An opening called the ductus arteriosus is part of the blood flow system in the womb for an unborn baby/dog. It usually closes shortly after birth. For Lucy, this was not the case. The opening remains open.

A small PDA might never need treatment. But a large, untreated PDA can let oxygen-poor blood move the wrong way. This can make the heart muscle weak, causing heart failure and other complications. Unfortunately, Lucy was diagnosed with severe PDA, with a grade 6 heart murmur, which is the most severe level, causing congestive heart failure and death in the future if left untreated.

Treatments for PDA can include regular health checkups, medicines, and a procedure or surgery to close the opening.

For Lucy, surgery is the only way to cure her of PDA and to give her a chance at a full and normal life.

Lucy's PDA is considered severe, with Lucy currently experiencing a rapid heart rate, getting easily tired out, and constant fast breathing or being out of breath.

The cardiologist team at MedVet is scheduled to surgically repair Lucy’s PDA with a procedure known as ligation. This will be an invasive and long recovery period for Lucy, but she will be 100% cured with a 95-99% success rate! The goal of treatment for a forward-flowing PDA is to stop the blood flowing through the shunt. The goal of treatment is to close the ductus arteriosus. This can be accomplished through thoracotomy (an open-chest surgery) and is more invasive because the chest is opened, but unlike humans, most dogs lose all outward signs of pain in 1 or 2 days. It is important that this procedure is performed as soon as possible after the diagnosis. In some cases, waiting too long allows other very serious complications to develop and creates the need for even more extensive treatment. A cardiology veterinarian, surgeon, and anesthesiologist are all required to move forward with Lucy’s surgery!

SURGERY IS SCHEDULED FOR April 14th at MedVet.

Lucy is the feistiest, cuddle-loving, and playful pup. She is full of life already and loves to play with her sister Luna (litter sister), her brother Teddy, and absolutely loves to be outside in the fresh air. She already has learned how to sit, give kisses, and how to get through her puppy gates and knock down her basket filled with toys when she wants a different one! She loves her toy lamb chop stuffy and constantly sleeps with them! She has become a member of the family, and her Mommy considers her a child. This is obviously an added cost that was not predicted after her first puppy check-up and Mommy meet, but her Mommy Samar had already fallen in love and wasn't turning her back on Lucy and took her in and hoped to give her the longest and best life possible.

We are asking for any donation, even if it's $1, to help towards the overall ultimate goal of raising $8,000 to cover the medical/surgery cost. Her surgery is listed to cost between $5,000-$7,000 and has to be paid by/on the day of surgery, APRIL 14TH. Over $1,000 in bills/credit card already stand from the ultrasound, preliminary testing, workups, and medications prior to her surgery.

The document stating the estimate for surgery and patient info is in photos as well as some of her other vet bills!

They have so much life to live together and so much love to give each other!

Please help us support sweet Lucy and her Mommy by sharing, praying, and/or donating?

With Love, Nikki ❤️

Donations can be made to:

1. This GoFundMe on behalf of Lucy, and Samar Vojdani

2. On Lucy's Vojdani/Samar's MedVet account by calling MedVet Indianapolis directly

3. Sending donations to CashApp: $STAYpawsITIVE1 in support for Lucy

LUCY'S MOMMY

"This may seem like a lot of money to some people for a pup, but for us, she is considered a member of our family. Even if your donation is to spread the word and share this on your social media platform, that in itself means a great deal to us. Thank you for helping!"

Samar