Willie was brought to the Atlanta Humane Society from one of our transfer partners, a Border Collie/ Kangaroo mix who was destined to our steal hearts. He went through the normal vet process of spay/neuter surgery and vaccinations, and soon after, we noticed that Willie had an odd “pulse” on his neck. Not just any pulse, not just a soft flutter, but a beating, throbbing pulse. You could see every single heartbeat prominently pounding through his skin.
We swooped Willie up and placed him under special veterinary care. We took x-rays and ran many tests on him, including detailed radiographs.
When the tests came back, they all pointed towards megaesophagus – a medical condition where the esophagus loses its tone and dilates, making it difficult for food to pass through properly. In this condition, the esophagus may remain dilated and food may remain stuck inside for a while before it’s able to enter the stomach, resulting in regurgitation. This can lead to the aspiration of food into the lungs, resulting in pneumonia.
Willie’s diagnosis would be lifelong but it wouldn’t be life-defining. With small, frequent meals fed to him in an upright position with the food bowl elevated, Willie’s food would be able to flow smoothly into his stomach, and his condition would be easily managed.
All Willie needed now was a loving family who understood his condition and were willing to love him and care for him and his specialized medical needs
And not long after we sorted Willie’s condition out, Willie found himself a family. An amazing couple who took his condition seriously and were committed to giving him a great life. They renamed Willie “Stitch” and he now lives with his loving parents and a Blue Heeler sister whom he adores.
You can make second chances like Willie’s happen for animals in our care right now.