Many people are shocked when they see photos of tiny puppies we rescue. “Adorable, cute, when can I adopt” are often seen commented all over their photos and posts. Little do many fans know that the smaller they are when we rescue them, the bigger the obstacles those dogs face.
Bean is a Beabull puppy was rescued by the Puppy Mill Rescue Team, and was taken on as a foster with us. As many words we can use to describe how cute Bean is, there are just as many to describe the challenges she faces. Upon coming into the rescue, she had an upper respiratory infection and leg deformities. She immediately was treated for her infection.
Our veterinarian diagnosed her mobility issues as Swimmers Syndrome- flat-pup syndrome, twisted legs, or turtle pup, is an uncommon developmental deformity of newborn dogs and cats whereby the limbs, primarily the hind limbs, are splayed laterally resulting in an inability to stand or walk. Fortunately with exercises provided by her foster mom Wendy she is improving and is even walking great!
As she was working through Swimmers Syndrome, x-rays it showed that she has a trachea that is much too small- hypolastic trachea . It is compared to being like breathing out of a straw instead of a tube. Beans is on medication that will hopefully loosen the smooth muscles in the trachea to help enlarge it. Within a few days we should see if the medication is effective. As she continues to grow, if her trachea does not also grow by expanding she may not be able to live a quality life.
With the trachea being too small, it was also discovered that she has brachycephalic syndrome, elongated soft palate and stenotic nares. All of these issues are a result of genetic deformities- passed on by poor breeding practices of puppy mill owners.
We know this post is hard to read. Everyday her foster fights with her and for her and the Puppy Mill Team is behind her supporting her.
Quality of life is always on the back of our mind in cases like this. Right now, Bean is happy, she now knows love, compassion and what it is like to live in a home. Her foster will continue this fight with her and make the best decisions for her.
If you would like to help Bean with her medical care, please donate to the Puppy Mill Rescue Team’s PayPal account (this can be found on the sidebar). We are able to give her all the love support in the world, but without great donors, we would not be able to help dogs like Bean.