UPDATE: Read Lefty's new blog and stay up-to-date on his recuperation. Click here to follow his long road to recovery.
UPDATE: February 10, 2009 - Lefty arrived at Boston's Angell Animal Medical Center for surgery today. Dr. Lisa Moses, of Angell's Pain Medicine Service, applied an epidural to keep Lefty pain free for 24 hours as well as a nerve blocker to his ribs to avoid discomfort as a result of the open-chest surgery. Following a nearly two hour procedure, Lefty awoke and is resting in Angell's Emergency and Critical Care ward.
Lefty's esophagus may show signs of improvement after several weeks however he still has a long road ahead of him including weeks, and possibly months, of post-operative care.
Please click here to donate to the ongoing care that Lefty will recieve to ensure a full recovery. Any collected funds surpassing the costs of his surgery and recovery will go to the MSPCA-Angell’s General Fund to care for animals such as Lefty.
Dr. Lisa Moses applies Lefty's epidural.
Surgeons operated on Lefty for nearly two hours.
Lefty is shown recovering after a successful surgery.
Remaining Homeless Puppy Requires Life-Saving Surgery
Last of Seven Boston Terriers Seeks Second Surgery at the MSPCA-Angell
After rehoming six Boston Terriers, one remaining homeless puppy faces steep odds in a fight for his life at the MSPCA. Lefty, a 10-week-old Boston Terrier, remains undersized as he struggles to keep food down due to a congenital vascular defect that makes it nearly impossible for him to swallow. The tiny terrier, who is recovering from the surgical removal of his ruptured eye, is currently in foster care. Due to his inability to properly swallow food, Lefty licks food from his foster mother’s fingertips in daily marathon feeding sessions that last up to one hour each.
Surgeons at Angell Animal Medical Center in Boston are scheduling Lefty’s open-chest surgery to cut the ring which is constricting his esophagus. The surgery, which can cost several thousand dollars including post-operative care, has many variables that can affect its success.
“Lefty has overcome seemingly insurmountable odds in his first few weeks of life and we will continue to help him in his fight,” said Mike Keiley, manager of the MSPCA’s Noble Family Animal Care and Adoption Center in Methuen (MSPCA-Methuen). “His frail body contains a strong will to survive and we are asking the public to help us in our efforts to save Lefty.”
Lefty is one of five pure-bred Boston Terrier puppies surrendered to the MSPCA-Methuen along with their parents, Gizmo and Sasha, after Lawrence Animal Control Officers found them living in deplorable conditions and suffering from multiple medical issues. Gizmo had been tied to a doorknob with a two-foot lead to restrict his movement. Lefty’s family members survived several medical issues before being adopted into new homes including severe parasite infestation, respiratory disease and eye infections that required an eye removal for his sister, Lilly.
The care provided to Lefty and his family has depleted resources at the MSPCA-Methuen. The MSPCA-Angell does not receive state or federal funding and relies solely on the generosity of its supporters. The staff is asking the public for contributions. Any collected funds surpassing the costs of the surgeries will go to the MSPCA-Angell’s General Fund to care for animals such as Lefty. Click here to make a donation today.
Those interested in adopting Lefty or other homeless animals are asked to visit the MSPCA-Methuen, call (978) 687-7453 ext. 6101 or email mkeiley@mspca.org.
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UPDATE: Read Lefty's new blog and stay up-to-date on his recuperation. Click here to follow his long road to recovery.
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Remaining Homeless Puppy Requires Life-Saving Surgery
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Last of Seven Boston Terriers Seeks Second Surgery at the MSPCA-Angell
After rehoming six Boston Terriers, one remaining homeless puppy faces steep odds in a fight for his life at the MSPCA. Lefty, a 10-week-old Boston Terrier, remains undersized as he struggles to keep food down due to a congenital vascular defect that makes it nearly impossible for him to swallow. The tiny terrier, who is recovering from the surgical removal of his ruptured eye, is currently in foster care. Due to his inability to properly swallow food, Lefty licks food from his foster mother’s fingertips in daily marathon feeding sessions that last up to one hour each.
Surgeons at Angell Animal Medical Center in Boston are scheduling Lefty’s open-chest surgery to cut the ring which is constricting his esophagus. The surgery, which can cost several thousand dollars including post-operative care, has many variables that can affect its success.
“Lefty has overcome seemingly insurmountable odds in his first few weeks of life and we will continue to help him in his fight,” said Mike Keiley, manager of the MSPCA’s Noble Family Animal Care and Adoption Center in Methuen (MSPCA-Methuen). “His frail body contains a strong will to survive and we are asking the public to help us in our efforts to save Lefty.”
Lefty is one of five pure-bred Boston Terrier puppies surrendered to the MSPCA-Methuen along with their parents, Gizmo and Sasha, after Lawrence Animal Control Officers found them living in deplorable conditions and suffering from multiple medical issues. Gizmo had been tied to a doorknob with a two-foot lead to restrict his movement. Lefty’s family members survived several medical issues before being adopted into new homes including severe parasite infestation, respiratory disease and eye infections that required an eye removal for his sister, Lilly.
The care provided to Lefty and his family has depleted resources at the MSPCA-Methuen. The MSPCA-Angell does not receive state or federal funding and relies solely on the generosity of its supporters. The staff is asking the public for contributions. Any collected funds surpassing the costs of the surgeries will go to the MSPCA-Angell’s General Fund to care for animals such as Lefty. Click here to make a donation today.
Those interested in adopting Lefty or other homeless animals are asked to visit the MSPCA-Methuen, call (978) 687-7453 ext. 6101 or email mkeiley@mspca.org.
