Juno Fights And Wins

We received a call about a dog that had birthed a stillborn puppy and then gave birth to a live one. Her family had allowed Juno free access to a fenced yard, but a male dog jumped the fence and impregnated her. This was Juno's first litter. We asked if Juno seemed distressed, but the family said she was acting normally and feeding the surviving puppy.

The next day the family called back. Juno had been vomiting and had diarrhea. We went to the house and could feel that Juno had a puppy stuck in the birth canal. Because it was a holiday and Sunday, we had trouble finding a vet to take Juno. We phoned five vets and four of them couldn't help or were unable to help.

The fifth was an answering machine. The recording said to leave name, number and information about the pet. If no one replied within 15 minutes, a vet was not available at this time. By now, Juno was getting weaker and dehydrated. We gave her small amounts of honey and water. So with nobody to help, we began to try to remove the puppy ourselves. With thoroughly lubricated hands we could feel a head but not feet. We tried turning the pup, but it was swollen and nothing was working. We knew that if we broke the puppy's skin by pulling too hard this would release toxins, so we couldn't continue. We didn't know what to do. And then our phone rang. It was the vet calling where we had left our message. She apologized for being tardy in returning the call but she was about four hours away at a Remembrance Day ceremony. We explained the situation to her and she agreed to return to her clinic as soon as possible to help. We continued giving Juno honey and water. We had to do it slowly so she wouldn't vomit. We were one and a half hours away from her clinic. In the meantime, we would keep Juno comfortable at home.

Finally, Juno and the vet were in the same place at around 4 pm. The vet was an amazing woman with a great sense of humour. She has been practicing for 46 years. She had hoped to be able to ease the pup out from the canal, but it was firmly lodged and wouldn't budge. Furthermore, an x-ray revealed two more dead puppies in the uterus. The only option left was to perform a C-section to remove all the pups.

Juno was extremely dehydrated, and while the surgery was risky, it was the only choice we had to save Juno. I.V.'s kept antibiotics and fluids flowing but her temperature was dropping so we had to act quickly.

Juno was sedated and prepped for the surgery. Upon opening her cavity, gases escaped and bubbling could be heard. The fetuses were decomposing and were toxic. The smell was overwhelming. The vet had hoped to remove the pups from the uterus, but when she looked inside, she couldn't believe her eyes. The two horns of the uterus were like huge sausages. She said that never in her 46 years as a vet had she seen a uterus with this much damage.

There were so many times when we thought Juno couldn't take anymore and yet she kept on fighting.

Juno was septic and on heavy antibiotics and fluid. While she was still in grave danger from the toxins in her body, she woke the next morning, drank some water and had a pee.

Her family were so glad to get the dog they loved. It was a happy reunion. Her home is a good home, but there was no money for emergency surgery. They were all devastated and heartbroken.

The back door is left open so Juno is free to out into her yard any time she wants to. She is allowed on the furniture if that is what she wants, and the boys take her out every day. To her family, Juno is just another loved member of the family.

Without this amazing vet, who left her family to help Juno while on a holiday, Juno would not have had a chance. Juno fought and won because of her.

Juno fought and won because of AAS's donors too, who make it possible for us to save dogs like Juno.

Juno's vet bills so far, are $2,311.19 and there will be some follow-up expenses too. Please donate so that we can go on being ready and able for the next emergency.

Please indicate if you want your donation to go toward paying Juno's vet bills.