Van Gogh's Stent Surgery

I would like to take a moment to introduce you to Van Gogh (Van) Cumbo.  He is a not your typical 4 1/2 month old puppy; quite frankly, he truly is nothing short of a miracle. On October 25, 2018 Van Gogh was diagnosed with severe pulmonic stenosis with severe right ventricular concentric hypertrophy and right atrial dilation. Pulmonic stenosis (PS) is a congenital defect of the pulmonary valve; this valve is between the right ventricle in the heart and the blood vessel to the lungs. In other words, Van's pulmonary valve did not open properly during fetal development, and the opening for blood flow is much smaller than in a normal heart. 

Van Gogh's  obstruction is extremely severe; at such a young age, his right heart is already showing significant damage with a very thick enlarged right ventricle and atrium, with impairment to the pumping function. With that being said, Van Gogh only has a few months left to live. Ultimately, he will develop congestive heart failure in the near future resulting in his untimely death.

Van's team of cardiologists at the University of Florida Veterinary Hospital located in Gainesville, Florida has reviewed his case with the pediatric cardiologists at the human hospital across the street, and they have determined that Van Gogh is a candidate for a stent placement surgery. Of course, there is still a risk associated with this type of procedure however, Van's current team of doctors have successfully implanted stents in the past in similar conditions. 

Here is where your help is gravely needed; the cost of the procedure is between $5,000-$6,000 depending on the size of the stent instruments needed, and the time required to complete the procedure. A combined team of veterinary and pediatric cardiologists will join forces to perform this much needed surgery. The stent procedure is a more technically challenging procedure compared to the conventional balloon valvulopasty, and has only been performed a handful of times. This is the best chance at improving his cardiac condition and long term prognosis. 

No donation is too small; please help me save Van Gogh's life. He is truly nothing short of a miracle!