I adopted Oliver when I was 18 yrs old, in my first year of college. I was a struggling college kid, I didn’t know what my purpose was or what I wanted to do. All I knew was I needed something to live for, I was going through a lot of mental health issues at the time. I got on petfinder and found chihuahua puppies.
That is where it all began. I went to meet a different chihuahua. Once I got there, I was told it had already been adopted. These were 8 week puppies. They were going fast. When the foster placed Oliver in my hands, I knew he was the one. It’s hard to explain that feeling but I felt it. It was like he was supposed to be mine and always had been.
The connection snapped into place immediately an unbreakable bond. I knew I was meant to be his human mama. Oliver has been with me ever since he was 8 weeks old. He gave my life what it needed, something to live for and strive to be better for. With that being said, that is why I made it my mission to do everything in my power…..and pocket book to get him better.
Oliver has always been my little walking health crisis. Starting from an early age he blew out both patellas. Having to have the first knee repaired a month before his 1st birthday. Born with a shunted liver, meaning he will always have elevated liver enzymes. His original primary vet heard a murmur at his first puppy well visit.
At that appointment they told me he would more than likely “outgrow it.” Unfortunately, he never did outgrow it. The vet assured me every time we had a visit that the murmur was nothing, saying “these little dogs all have it.” Well we just monitored it for years. I was young myself, I didn’t advocate for him like I should have. I didn’t know how serious this condition could be. On April 22, 2023 I found out just how serious this disease is.
We started the day out fine, when I left for work all was fine with Oliver. When I came home from work I knew something was wrong as soon as I walked in the front door. Oliver did not greet me at the door. He ALWAYS greets me at the door, when I get home. I mentioned this to my family, how I thought this was strange.
They always thought I was overreacting when it came to Oliver. Anyways we went about our normal routine, which is we go for a walk as soon as I get home. Our normal routine is a 1 mile walk once a day. Oliver LOVES his walks. I can’t even say the word, in the house without him getting excited. He goes to the door ready to get his harness put on. Once again something strange happened. He did not go to the door, he stayed laying on the couch. I should mention I have three other chihuahuas so the walk is a non negotiable in our house, everyone goes. Fast forward to my own stupidity, I take Oliver on the walk! Can you say DUMB?
We drastically shorten the walk, because I notice he cannot keep up. We get back home and he immediately lays down. I notice he is panting and has a breathing rate of 80 breaths per minute. I finally get it through my thick skull, that I am not overreacting and something is seriously wrong with my dog. I messaged a family member, who is a vet tech and she said take him to the emergency vet ASAP.
The very next day, we get in first thing to see Oliver’s old primary vet. They proceed to tell me yes, that was a CHF event and that he now needs to be on 3 medications daily. He took Pimo, Spironolactone and Furosemide. We were able to get him stabilized quickly, with that combo of drugs. Our next issue we faced was there is only one cardiologist close to us about an hour away.
They were booking 6 months out. I was told Oliver could only have a year left to live. I couldn’t wait 6 months! I asked if there was anywhere else we could go? The vet told me yes, University Of Illinois teaching hospital. I said send us there, even though it is a 3 hour drive for us. I didn’t care, I just had to do something, save the dog that saved me.
Once at the University Of Illinois small animal clinic, Oliver had many tests done. All the standard testing done for dogs with CHF. He had his first echo done, it showed stage C MVD. At this point, it took us a month to get into them. Oliver had stabilized and his mama had been doing her research. Thanks google and facebook for leading me to the Might Hearts page. Oliver’s old vet failed to tell me about any treatment options, outside of medications. Safe to say, once I got to U OF I; I bombarded one of their cardiologists.
Who unluckily got stuck with me Dr. Saki Kadotani. I told Dr. Kadotani that Oliver was either having the TEER procedure or going to Japan (jasmine) for the mitral valve repair. Which I had only found out about because I was fortunate enough to find the Mighty Hearts facebook page.
Dr. Kadotani reviewed Oliver’s echo and said he wasn’t a candidate for the TEER. Fine so next, I pulled out all the info I had gathered from the Mighty Hearts page and Jasmine’s own website. I gave it all to her and she was able to get it all submitted to Jasmine. Oliver was the first patient University of Illinois had sent to Japan.
During Oliver’s 6 month quarantine, he remained stable. No more events of heart failure, his heart even showed some remodeling from the medications. Remodeling, that I took to believe as shrinkage in heart size. While we prepared for our trip across the globe. I scoured the Mighty Hearts Facebook page and website.
I was soaking in all the information and stories others shared like a sponge. I contribute some of Oliver’s successful repair, to me being able to access the information provided to us by the Mighty Hearts page.
Oliver had a successful repair surgery on May 27th 2024. Oliver had an uneventful recovery. Oliver’s heart started right up on its own once taken off bypass. Oliver did not require any blood transfusions. Most importantly, Oliver was taken off ALL of his heart related medications post surgery. The first day post op, when I was able to see Oliver was truly magical. It was like he didn’t have a major heart stopping operation just the day prior. He was bright eyed and bushy tailed.
I could tell he was feeling so much better, I know my boy’s eyes. He knew he just got a new lease on life. Only thing was Oliver was not happy with the accommodations provided for him at the Jasmine clinic. He was a little feisty with the doctors (biting them). He had to wear the cone of shame many times, for everyone’s safety. Oliver was also not allowed visitors, after our first visit post op. He has terrible separation anxiety.
Dr. Sayaka Takeuchi messaged me saying it is probably best I do not return for the remainder of Oliver’s stay. She sent me a video of him, he was crying and howling. He continued this for about 4 hours after I left. I did not have any problem with not seeing him the rest of his stay, because I knew he was in the best hands. He was at the safest possible place for him in the world at that moment. I trust Jasmine with my life, after seeing the light return to my Oliver’s eyes after surgery.
Oliver is now over a year post op. Oliver is doing stellar. He is still off all medications and his cardiologist is happy with how he is doing. He still has a cough in the mornings. Cardiologist heard it and believes it to be trachea related. It’s been a dream of true that Oliver’s heart is repaired. Although, it was a successful outcome that doesn’t mean this mama didn’t experience the most stressful time of her life.
I do believe that Oliver wouldn’t be where he is today without the Mighty Hearts. I wouldn’t have had the knowledge about this procedure or the support system without the Mighty Heart Page.
Oliver and I thank everyone, with our whole hearts. You saved my boy and for that I will always be grateful. Thank you Nate, Michelle, Isa and all the members before me, who when I reached out you lent me your hand. Thank you Dr, Masami Uechi, Dr. Sayaka Takeuchi and the whole team at Jasmine for all you do for our babies and in turn do for us.
