Health Talk

Wednesday morning, a five-month-old Chihuahua mix arrived at the University of Minnesota Veterinary Medical Center for a life-changing operation.

WCCO-TV documented the dog’s story.

What is known of the pup-in-question begins on the doorstep of a stranger’s home in Minneapolis where he was first found. With no known owner and no claims to his name, the puppy, Seymor, eventually made his way from Minneapolis animal control to Second Chance Animal Rescue.

When Second Chance brought him in for a routine checkup at the Veterinary Medical Center, U of M veterinarians discovered a heart problem that could have prevented Seymor from making it to his first birthday.

Rebecca Cervenec, D.V.M., a cardiology resident in Veterinary Clinical Sciences at the U of M, told WCCO:

“Seymor has what’s called a patent ductus arteriosus – PDA for short – which is essentially a congenital defect. It’s one of the most common in dogs.”

Luckily, a great team of U of M vets was able to correct the problem with an operation provided free-of-charge.

Once fully recovered from yesterday’s operation, Seymor is expected to be a healthy dog, ready for a normal life in a permanent home.