Lizzie

My story

Lizzie / Cavalier King Charles Spaniel DOB 04/06/17 13lbs Spayed / Microchipped UTD on vaccinations Heartworm / Flea Preventative Health Issues: Heart Murmur / DCM Special Needs: Daily Medication for heart condition Must have a cardiologist Please read the bio in its ENTIRETY. If you meet the requirements, please send an email to gateway4paws@gmail.com for additional information. Applications can be found on our website. Since we are 100% foster-based rescue, only approved applications will be reviewed and/or contacted. We do not allow shipping & do not transport. You must live within 350 miles from Maryville, IL & able to drive to a determined place for a meet & greet. Mileage requirements may be lifted for Cavalier or DCM experienced homes. We don't know much about Lizzie's past but best we can determine, she came from a past life of commercial breeding. Thankfully, she is a love bug and is not timid like most are. At Lizzie's intake vet appointment, the vet heard a significant heart murmur. Because of this, we got her seen with the cardiology team at U of I. She was diagnosed with Nutritional Secondary Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM). DCM is not common for the cavalier breed. Her valves look good & there is trivial evidence of tricuspid regurgitation. The concern is with some heart enlargement, so we have started her on a high-quality diet that could slowly reverse this condition. She will need to remain on this diet which does have a monthly cost of about $130. Because of Lizzie's heart condition, she will need to be seen by a licensed cardiologist going forward for rechecks and have an echo completed. These visits cost anywhere from $400 to $800. She is currently being seen every 6 months but could increase. Your local vet is not the same as a cardiologist and they cannot perform these tests. If you don't already have a cardiologist, do the research to see where the closest one is to you and ensure you can make the drive should they be far away. You will be required to provide us the name of the cardiologist you would use when you apply. She is on one medication called Pimobendan which she will remain on this for the rest of her life. This med is currently costing about $50 a month. The other thing our vet noted at her initial vet exam, were how bad her teeth were. She only had 13 teeth but unfortunately, they were bad and all had to be pulled. Good news, Lizzy is in no more mouth pain and you will not need to pay for any more dentals. Lizzie does walk on a leash and harness but she does enjoy a secure physical fenced yard to walk in and do her potty duties. For this reason, we require a secure physical fenced yard for her. Lizzie is allowed on the furniture at her foster home and does just fine while her foster mom is at work. She also sleeps in the big bed at nite with her cavalier friends and foster mom. Therefore, we will not consider applicants who plan on using a crate for Lizzie. Please let us know if you have the perfect home to offer Lizzie by sending us an email. Gateway4paws@gmail.com

If you have any questions or would like to adopt Lizzie, please reach out to the adoption group directly. PetSmart Charities does not facilitate the adoption process. Thank you.