GALLERY OF DOGS
BEATRIX
A tiny and very lucky little puppy bounced into WFTRM Chicago. Her name is BEATRIX and this baby girl is as charming as they come. She was born March 10, 2025. She is a beauty with incredible markings, a pink is for girls spot on her nose and just precious. Beatrix can be calm and content to lay on your lap, biting your hair the next, napping or looking for a treat or food. She is so excited to romp in the back yard with the other tolerable dogs but but look out here she comes jumping in your face or on their backs. She has a blast running, chasing, bitey face and then jumping in the pool with her friend Georgia. These girls get pretty wild with their play and totally wet! She was so starved on arrival and have been feeding her three times a day which keeps her happy. She is growing and blossoming to be a beautiful little girl.
Beatrix is a special needs rescue as it was suspected that she has ectopic ureters. She leaks urine continually which has already stained her fur. An ectopic ureter is a condition where one or both of the ureters, the tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder, opens into an abnormal location, such as the vagina, uterus, or urethra. Surgery is the recommended treatment for ectopic ureters in dogs and most common in females. This is a genetic abnormality. The specific surgical procedure will depend on the location and severity of the ectopic ureter and performed at a Specialty Hospital or teaching hospital such as Purdue University. The cost can be high but also the success rate is very high with the dog being fully continent and live a healthy life. Beatrix is an owner surrender whose intention was to euthanize her rather than help. Compassionate vets step in to accept ownership before turning over to Rescue. Beatrix truly deserves a chance at a full and wonderful life and that love is so strong for these special ones.
Beatrix had additional X-rays taken on May 22nd at the animal hospital and the vet referral was submitted to Purdue University. They have accepted her case and she is in their system, however they are booked until the middle of July. Her appointment is now scheduled at Purdue for July 24th. Veterinary Specialty Center in Bannockburn, Illinois stated ideally she should be 11 pounds to do laser ablation due to the size of their scope. They agreed to do the work up on Beatrix to diagnose her condition. Our appointment was June 17th at 11:00 a.m. and it has been confirmed that she does have ectopic ureters. The left is definite and could be seen on the ultrasound but the right was not and still could be bilateral. Her Kidneys, Bloodwork and other organs are all good and healthy. Beatrix was 4 pounds on arrival, was 7 pounds at the time of the work up. Female dogs generally need to be able to accommodate a rigid cystoscope and weigh at least 5kg/11 lbs for the procedure. Our plan going forward is to keep the appointment with Purdue for the 24th as I am not certain how fast she will grow and reach that ideal weight to go to VSC.
Beatrix Culture Report returned and she has a very nasty bacterial infection with three different strains. Based on what is susceptible, she will go on Amoxi/Clav to combat this infection prior to her surgery. She went to Midwest Animal Hospital on July 1st to get the antibiotics, her Rabies and third Distemper Booster Vaccinations. She is also now 8.6 pounds! Beatrix loves hanging out with her crew, playing and running in the yard and when it is time to come inside, she is in line and in step with the group heading to the door. I have socialized her with the dogs and with people and she is blossoming into a perfect little Wire Fox girl.
BEATRIX – PURDUE VISIT
We left early morning on the 24th and arrived at Purdue University Internal Medicine Department. From the onset, it was not a positive experience or went the way it usually is done. Other than waiting forever in a room, we ended up seeing a resident and an intern – no Board Certified Specialist. I was not sure about leaving her but did for the testing believing that an accredited senior clinician would be in charge and performing any surgery. When I received a call that evening, I inquired into who exactly oversees Beatrix and who will be doing the procedures. I was told it was Dr. Graves – the resident! They informed me the right ureter was okay however the left is suspected to be extramural. This is rare - about 1% are extramural with the majority being intramural. This means it attaches at a location other than the bladder and will require surgical intervention and cannot be done with laser ablation. They did perform a CT Scan with contrast and the Radiologist "supposedly" confirmed the extramural left ectopic ureter. I scheduled to pick her up Saturday morning and will not be bringing her back to Purdue for any surgical procedure. I have had positive past experiences mostly with the cardiology department but this was not one of those times. When I arrived they were looking for the intern and Beatrix? I had to submit payment of $3,000 before I left on Thursday. When I booked the appointment, I received written confirmation and the estimate for the entire procedure, testing and surgery was $2500 to $3500. On discharge they handed me a bill for almost $2800. The resident had told me that the CT scan with contrast would be $500 and they billed $792. His attitude was basically oh well this is what it is. I have sent a formal complaint as well as request an audit of the invoice. If this regarded institution was short staffed, 2 senior clinicians only available and not the 6 listed on the website, was spread thin as the intern mentioned, wanted to raise the estimate charges given – they should have made contact to let me be aware of this vital information and be given the opportunity to cancel. I am going to accept this event as Beatrix dodging a bullet. Purdue’s testing and imaging were sent to me and Veterinary Specialty Center in Bannockburn, Illinois. There was no Radiologist Report. Beatrix is scheduled with them for her surgery for August 5th. She is such a good girl, was so happy to be back at WFTRM Chicago and see Bruno and the crew. I cannot believe how big she is getting and deserves nothing but the best.