update on Sebastian
Submitted by Kim Sebastian O... on March 4, 2011 - 9:20amIt turns out that it isn't PDA, but SEVERE pulmonic stenosis. His prognosis is very guarded. He is not a candidate for surgery because his coronary arteries are not normal, so I have the option of putting him down now or letting him live a happy puppy life for as long as he can. I spoke to my breeder yesterday after we got back from MSU, and she is letting me keep Sebastian AND giving me another puppy. She has another male from another litter that was born the same time as Sebastian that she might let me have. The drawback with him is that someone has put a deposit on him. They were supposed to pick him up two weeks ago and never showed. She's been trying to call the woman who put the deposit down and has only gotten her husband on the phone once. Her husband still says they want the puppy and he will have his wife call the breeder, but no phone call. She has offered to refund their deposit (which she doesn't normally do when the buyer backs out), but they still say they want the pup. She was going to talk to her husband last night about just refunding their deposit anyway and letting me take Oliver instead. I should hear from her sometime today. I feel bad if I take the puppy away from someone who really wants him, but they are avoiding her phone calls and have been a no show for planned pick up times. I'm really sad about Sebastian and hopefully this new puppy will help ease the sadness.
Kim, Remy Le Beau, Lord Sebastian, and Sir Oliver
I'm soooo sorry! :(
Poor little guy. That just hurts my heart - they are so innocent and then having to deal with things like this.
thank you
I couldn't post this yesterday, the news was just too hard. I am planning on letting Sebastian be a normal puppy for as long as he is able. Which hopefully will be a long time. What's really funny is my husband was against getting Sebastian in the first place ( he couldn't see spending that much money on a dog) but now he is totally head over heels in love with him. When I mentioned that Connie (the breeder) was willing to let us keep him and give us another one, he didn't even blink. I reminded him that means we would have TWO bullies and he said "I already live in zoo, it doesn't matter". We have two St. Bernards, 3 ferrets, 1 hamster, and 1 rabbit, so I guess he's kind of right! Hopefully Sebastian will go on to live for a long time before this really starts affecting him.
Kim, Remy Le Beau, Lord Sebastian, and Sir Oliver
I am so sorry to read this
I fell instantly in love with your little Sebastian and it breaks my heart to read about his prognosis. But I know you will treasure every moment you have with him and make him happy and comfortable.
I hope that the situation with the other puppy works out for you and he is able to become part of your family.
You're in my thoughts and prayers.
Monica, Maude and Gus
=(
I'm so sad to read this news about baby Sebastion - its heartbreaking. Was just coming over here to look for an update. I'm glad that he will be able to live out the rest of his life happy and with you. Big (((hugs))) sent your way. You'll be in my thoughts. Give him lots and lots of kisses and love from me.
believe me...
he is getting lots of hugs and kisses from everyone right now. I will be sure to pass on more hugs and kisses from all of his new "aunts and uncles" both human and bullies.
Kim, Remy Le Beau, Lord Sebastian, and Sir Oliver
I am so sorry
enjoy the little one while you can
Oh NO!
I am SO sorry, how horrbily sad. :-( I am glad he is going to stay with you. It is amazing how quickly they wrap their little paws around your heart!
Cathy and Audrey
Interesting pdf of info on severe PS in dogs
I just wanted to read about PS in dogs because I know nothing about it. This states that if treated at a young age, it can help with the length of survival. Did they even suggest the option of this procedure? I would be calling my vet or calling around trying to find a vet that was experienced in this procedure and getting a second opinion as to whether this is an option for Sebastian.
http://www.animalerc.com/patients/specialties/pdf/cardiology/AERACardio_Client-Brochure_Pulmonic-stenosis.pdf
thank you
but he went to a cardiologist yesterday and since his coronary arteries are not normal there is no way the surgery would work. If they were normal, then yes he could have the surgery.
Kim, Remy Le Beau, Lord Sebastian, and Sir Oliver
I am so very sad for you and Sebastian
The only good thing is all the love he is receiving. I know for sure he feels the love. You are a superb bully mom.
Sebastion is unlucky in a way, but lucky in another. Kisses to him from me and Mr. Higgins
a suggestion
See if this idea appeals to you & Sebastian's breeder -
Keep him, love him, give him the best life he can have & when he leaves you THEN take up her offer of a replacement pup. That way if the other party is interested in the pup they have a deposit on, they can have him. It sounds like the breeder has enough litters that there will be a pup available when the time comes.
The reason for this suggestion is that by having 2 pups of the same age they will naturally want to play together and if 1 of them is compromised in his play level, it will worsen his condition more quickly if he gets stressed from too much play. With 1 pup you can concentrate on loving him and tending to his needs and condition without the distraction of a 2nd pup. Several times I've had between 2 and 4 pups from a litter at the same time and believe it, house training, leash training and attention to more than 1 at a time is really intensive!
If the idea of taking a replacement pup later seems a good idea to all involved, get a contract drawn up with the particulars written down in a way that all can agree on. Get all parties to sign it and the sigs Notorized so it will have some enforcability. Then enjoy your pup.
thank you...
that is a very good suggestion and I will talk to my breeder about it. Even if it's not this particular pup, she does have a couple more litters coming soon.
Kim, Remy Le Beau, Lord Sebastian, and Sir Oliver
This is a very wise
This is a very wise suggestion. Bringing up two puppies is difficult enough and when one of them isn't healthy both puppies will be affected.
Sebastians breeder is doing the good thing, offering a other puppy without you giving Sebastian back to her.
Sebastian might surprise you, good care can do a lot and if not, at least you have done everything you could for him. When Sebastian has passed, you have to go on and a puppy will help you cope with his loss.
It will be a difficult time for you and your family, so I wish you loads and loads of strenght.
Ineke and Zorro
Ineke
thank you...
I still haven't decided what I'm going to do. On one hand I know I want to give Sebastian as much attention as I can and then on the other hand I know having another puppy already here will help me tremendously with the grieving. I have time to make up my mind, my breeder is being so wonderful through all this. She is just broken hearted because she and her vet just didn't think it was anything more than just a normal puppy murmur that he would outgrow.
Kim, Remy Le Beau, Lord Sebastian, and Sir Oliver
So sad to hear about
So sad to hear about Sabastian...the more I read the posts here, the more I realize how precious our time with our babies are. I know you will give him your all in the time that you have with him. It doesn't take long for them to know that they're loved, so I'm sure Sabastian will know he is loved with his family...hopefully for a long while!
Very Sorry
to hear this.
So sorry to hear about Sebastian
My Calli had severe pulmonic stenosis and she lived to be 3 1/2 years old. She didn't even show signs of being sick until she was 2 years old so we had no idea until then because the vet never did detect a heart murmur. Calli also could not have surgery because of the abnormal coronary artery. Calli went into congestive heart failure and we had the fluid drained off her belly as needed but she lived a happy life and ended up having a heart attack and dieing in her sleep. My suggestion is keep Sebastian and love him and wait awhile for another puppy because he will probably keep you busy..Calli sure did me but it was worth it. Good luck with Sebastian I hope you decide to keep him and love him as long as you can.
thank you so much....
that really gives me hope that he'll live a while with this condition. He doesn't act sick or anything right now either. He's just a normal little happy puppy. I'm still torn about getting another puppy right now. I guess if I find one like Sebastian that I fall in love with at first sight, I'll know what I'm gonna do. I'm glad you had 3 1/2 years with Cali. That's all I hope for with Sebastian that however long or short his life may be, that he knows he's loved and is happy.
Kim, Remy Le Beau, Lord Sebastian, and Sir Oliver
I'm so sorry to read about
I'm so sorry to read about Sebastian - what a sad thing to deal with when you should be enjoying his puppyhood. I just want to send you a e-hug :)
Oh, no!
Kim, I'm so sorry. Sebastian looks like such a love, this just breaks my heart. I'll be thinking of you...
thank you...
he is a little cuddle bug. I'm hoping that he will last at least a couple of years with me, but if not, I will enjoy any time I have with him. He is so easy to love and he is definetly starting to come into his personality. He's a little stinker sometimes, but it's hard to stay mad at him!!!!
Kim, Remy Le Beau, Lord Sebastian, and Sir Oliver
sorry to hear about your pup
Hello, i came across your post while looking up heart murmurs and am sorry to hear that your pup is going through this. My pup is also diagnosed with pulminary stenosis and i have him on medication. I was wondering what is the status on your bully? do you have him on any meds? Mine is on enalipril,furosemide,spironolactone, and atenolol. I know how you feel because he just acts like nothing is wrong and wants to play and just be an awesome pup. Right now the thing im dealing with is the accumulation of fluid in his belly and am looking up ways and tips to slow it down. Again sorry to hear your going through this, maybe we could bounce ideas off eachother cause i also got another bully companion for him and he is loving it.