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Jonah, an 8-month-old Chihuahua, was diagnosed with hydrocephalus, often called water on the brain. |
Blind puppy’s surgery completed
Brain procedure saved its life
Last month, Jonah was found abandoned at a Jamaica Plain supermarket, blind and scared. Weeks later, a debilitating brain disease emerged, threatening his life. But yesterday, the puppy’s bad luck ended.
Veterinarians at Angell Animal Medical Center completed successful brain surgery on the blind Chihuahua, saving its life.
“It went very, very well,’’ said head surgeon Dr. Andrew Farabaugh. “Now how much improvement he gets from it, we’re waiting and seeing.’’
The nearly three-hour operation placed a shunt in the 8-month-old puppy’s head to drain built-up fluid crushing its brain.
“The brain had compressed into a thin shell lining the skull. His head was filled with fluid,’’ said Brian Adams, spokesman for the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. “The pressure meant he would’ve certainly died without the surgery.’’
Jonah, named for his affinity for a fish-shaped bed, was brought into MSPCA-Boston on Sept. 7 after he was found alone in the bottle recycling center of the Jamaica Plain Stop & Shop. It was immediately clear something was wrong.
“We noticed he did have the apple-shaped head - the situation of his eyes as well,’’ Adams said. “At that point he was fostered by one of our staff neurologists.’’
Jonah’s symptoms then worsened: He had trouble walking and interacting with people and other dogs, and his brain protruded through his skull. Angell medical center officials diagnosed him with hydrocephalus, often called water on the brain, and scheduled him for surgery.
“We decided we needed to do something or put him to sleep,’’ Farabaugh said.
But despite volunteer surgeons, an operation would cost about $2,500, Adams said. The pediatric shunt, typically used in children’s brain surgeries, cost $1,260, Farabaugh said.
The MSPCA accepted donations on a Web page set up for the puppy, www.mspca.org/jonah, but is unaware how much it has raised.
“We’ve received donations from not only states across the country, but across the world,’’ Adams said.
He said there have been more than 50 offers to adopt Jonah, but foster owners, including Farabaugh, who have cared for the puppy have first priority. Farabaugh said he will probably take Jonah back in for recovery, but does not plan on adopting the Chihuahua.
Jonah awoke several hours after surgery and was breathing on his own, Farabaugh said. But it won’t be until Sunday afternoon, 72 hours after the surgery, that Farabaugh and his staff can forecast the dog’s long-term status.
“His walking could be much better . . . his interaction with others could at least return to what it was,’’ said Farabaugh, noting the puppy will remain mostly blind. Officials hoped to find a permanent home for Jonah within a month.
“He’s battled on through every tough bit,’’ Adams said. “His story doesn’t end after surgery.’’
© Copyright 2009 Globe Newspaper Company.
