I couldn't simply discard this pup, I bonded with her and needed to do all I could, to help Fi Bee. Sending her back to  the Breeder wasn't an option, so on Saturday morning, after Fridays long day and night of misery, finally reality struck!

Whatever we did, the first thing was to get Fi Bee her shot! I called VCA and said my puppy needs her 3rd shot, please get me in this AM I don't need to see Dr Barrett any aide can give her her shot. Okay, done. The shot given we returned home for more rounds of calls with her Breeder who was beside herself with grief.

Pamela, who I believe, is the most responsible breeder on the planet, was so struck by the PDA diagnosis that we shared at least 15 phone calls trying to absorb this news. Pam spoke to her Vet and a DVM Cardiologist in North Carolina and her Vet assured her he heard nothing unusual from these puppies of this particular litter. We talked about articles we both read and the fact that in her 15 years as a breeder this is the first time this happened to one of her pups.

Fast forward to Dr Barrett, we emailed and spoke, she to Pam and to me and we all decided to get the tests done, to determine just exactly what was wrong. Dr B. told me she wasn't a bit surprised that Pam's DVM hadn't heard the problem... it could only have been detected by a Heart Doctor because the sound could have been missed if there was noise or a squirming puppy. It was pure serendipity that this all was discovered so early and by a Cardiologist that I wasn't supposed to go to!

If any of you had read the article link of the last Blog part 1, you would understand that this is a condition that is asymptomatic, meaning hardly ever discovered, until it is too late, when the heart working so hard causing it to enlarge finally leads to terrible damage and death.

Pamela and I agreed that whatever this pup needed should be done here and she was going to make things right for us. She also notified the other 2 pups owners to have the test and she would pay for them as well. She is a great and caring person who is extremely proud of her reputation as a Cavalier King Charles Breeder and I still say the most responsible Breeder on the Planet!     

Thursday April 16th we gathered together and went to the VCA Hospital............... 

See our next Blog - FiBee...A Journey with Our Puppy (Part 3)

Fiona Belle aka FiBee was due for her 3 month and final puppy shot. I had intended to find her a new kind of Veterinarian more in line with a natural approach than a conventional DVM still a doctor, but with a more advanced nutritional approach.

We all get bogged down and time passed until, she needed her shot. So I went with what I knew, Dr Kirsten Barrett at the the huge VCA main Hospital in West Los Angeles  Dr Becker was Daphne Rose aka Daffy's, Cardiologist and a specialist in her field of Cardiology. I realized this was over kill but I trusted Dr Barrett and I thought I'd ask questions regarding a general Vet etc.

It was a Friday morning April 10th, we were her second appointment and so we were shown to her examining room. She was surprised and happy to see us especially with a new puppy. As the examination proceeded, she seemed to linger listening to her heart. Fi Bee was squirming as puppies do and then the bomb hit! I hear something that is not right, Dr Barrett said. Oh no, my husband Fred and I both said at once. Thinking that the pup was moving a lot and that she perhaps didn't hear correctly, Dr B. took her into the work up room and 20 minuets later said with the greatest authority, FiBee has a condition known as PDA. In brief, it is an anomaly of the Aorta and Pulmonary Arteries connecting tube that usually closes at birth and this little girl's didn't. Her prognosis without intervention was 1 to 2 years and a painful heart failure.

Shock and awe, there were too many variables and not a good time to hear very much, let alone process it all. I didn't give her her shot and we left the hospital...................  For those of you who are interested here is a link to exact information below.

PDA (patent ductus arteriosus)

We have only just begun, until part 2............     

  Pet Supplements, my gosh there are so many out there..............  Well yes there are! However, since you are a great Pet Parent and are experiencing a bit of anxiety about Pet Food, and well you should be, here are some basics about feeding your furry pawed family, and what to add for a healthy life.

The first three ingredients for all Pet Food should be protein, meat, fish or poultry. Limited Ingredient Can food is the Second Best, besides your making meals at home, or the Best Best, is Raw Feeding, whether dehydrated (just add water) or Frozen or made for you.

Forget Kibble! Most, if not all of the good, has been high heated out and what is left is coated with what they call flavoring and vitamins ... even from your Veterinarian! Convenience vs Healthy. In the 50's dogs were fed table stuff, leftovers or butcher scraps and bones. We had no concept of Fast Food for dogs then, but with the explosion of the newest market TV, we saw Ads for Gravy Train. Touting, " Just add water and in a few minutes your pet will taste the delicious mixing of flavors that your dog will love!"

That was the beginning. Now the profit margins motivate the HUGE Big Brand producers, quality has taken an insignificant role, and fillers and chemicals make up what is now known as the Pet Food Industry, at its Worst. At its Best, there are new  quality minded producers who are doing the right thing...... be advised you must spend time decoding the labels, your pet/s health depends on it.

If you are still feeding your pet/s Kibble, you must include pet supplements. Basically your pet needs vitamins and minerals and gut healthy probiotics for those domestic pets that are not getting what they should from their food.

We at Wags and Woofers are dedicated to the health and well being of our family of Pet Guardians. We have also chosen carefully to include the best products that are made here in the USA.

Pet Supplements @ Wags and Woofers