Help Hercules
Categories: Featured Story, News Release, Pet Spotlight, Ways to help ADL
Thank You for Helping ADL to Fund Hercules’ Surgery!
Through our partnership with Animal Care Services (ACS) we immediately transferred Hercules into our shelter. Hercules is a gentle and calm 7 year-old Mastiff mix. Unfortunately, Hercules was surrendered to ACS with a noticeable hole below his left eye. Our hospital vet team sedated him for a more complete exam and discovered a very large defect in his palate. The hole goes through his hard palate (top of the back of his mouth), which extends through his sinus cavity and under his eye. When you look through the hole, you can actually see his tongue. The hole is causing food to enter his sinus cavity (like having food stuck up your nose) when he eats. Left uncorrected, this can result in recurrent respiratory tract infections and possible aspiration pneumonia.
Hercules was taken to Town & Country Veterinary Hospital where Dr. Bunning performed a CT scan to assess the damage to his palate and skull. Given the amount of damage to his mouth and nose, the veterinarians consulting with us believed this injury appeared more consistent with a gunshot wound. The CT scan was then sent to Dr. James Giles at BluePearl for review and to develop a plan to correct the facial defects. Hercules will require specialized surgery to close the large defect in his palate and then facial reconstruction to repair the defect in the bone of the maxilla under the eye and /donation/on the left side of the face.
UPDATE:
May 18, 2018
Hercules surgery is estimated to cost over $3,400. With the help of many compassionate donors the total raised for Hercules was $4,250! We can’t thank everyone who donate enough! The amount exceeding our original goal will go towards Hercules’ additional vetting needs including heartworm treatment, neutering, vaccinations, and more.
May 23, 2018 Surgery update:
Hercules’ surgery was a success! The cost of the surgery turned out to be more than we had anticipated, so we are incredibly grateful for the surplus of funds we’ve received over the past few weeks. Although he has some swelling, he is doing very well. According to our lead veterinarian, he is eager to play, cuddle, and simply be himself again! Until then, he is on mandatory kennel rest to ensure he heals safely and successfully. Stay tuned as we will continue to post updates as he progresses!
Sept 2018 update:
It’s been a long road to recovery for Hercules. In August, Hercules needed surgery to remove his eye but he has since healed quickly. He’s still working on gaining some more weight but is looking much better!
Dec 2018 Update:
After many months of surgeries and healing, Hercules is now ready to find his forever home! If you’re interested in adopting this gentle big guy, then stop by our main campus and ask to meet Hercules!