Size
(when grown) Small 25 lbs (11 kg) or less
Details
Good with kids,
Good with dogs,
Good with cats,
Needs special attention,
Spayed or Neutered,
Shots are up-to-date,
Story
Bruce is a 1 year old Boston Terrier with a dashing and charming personality! He is an active and high energy puppy that loves to go on walks, wrestle with his friends, and he truly enjoys meeting as many people as he possibly can! When he’s taking a break from all of his socializing, you will find him napping in his favorite bed or cuddled up in a warm soft blanket while chewing on a bully stick!
Bruce had a pretty tough start to life, but he has no idea he is different from any other dog! Bruce came to Heath’s Haven from another rescue that deemed him “unadoptable,” due to being incontinent, and he was sadly facing euthanasia. Fortunately, they reached out to Heath’s Haven as his last hope! When he arrived at Heath’s Haven, he was immediately scheduled with the Neurology Department at The Washington State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital for an MRI to diagnose the cause of his incontinence.
Bruce was born with a congenital defect called Spina Bifida. This is a rare congenital abnormality in the vertebrae of the spine that occurs in the embryotic stage of development during gestation. In Bruce’s case, the vertebrae in the sacral area of his spine did not completely develop/fuse around the spinal cord. They also found that he had a condition called Syringomyelia. His spinal cord was full of fluid from his neck all the way down to his little cork-screw tail. Bruce has been prescribed medications to help his body absorb the extra fluid and decrease any inflammation. In addition to the Spina Bifida and Syringomyelia, the Neurologist ALSO found that Bruce had “Tethered Cord Syndrome.” The tissues that surround his spinal cord (meninges) have fused to his saccrum causing his spinal cord to stretch as he grows. Fortunately, he is now full grown and has not shown any symptoms warranting surgery!
Bruce will always be incontinent (not able to control his bladder or bowels), and he has an underdeveloped and small bladder that can not be expressed. This is easily managed with diapers and/or belly bands that he doesn’t mind wearing at all!
We are currently accepting applications for Bruce and hope to find an adopter with experience in managing the care of a Spina Bifida dog, but experience is not required. We have been caring for incontinent dogs for the past 10 years and will provide his new family with all of the tips and tricks to care for a “diaper dog.”
Bruce deserves the chance to live a happy, healthy life just like any other dog so if you are interested in adopting this handsome guy, please fill out an application! He is already neutered, microchipped, current on vaccines/flea & tick preventative, crate trained, and he is good with cats, dogs, and children…all he needs is a loving home!
You can fill out an adoption application on our website at www.heathshavenrescue.com. We will adopt out of state as long as a home visit and transport can be arranged.
