Sparky needs surgery! Can you help?Sparky is a 6 month old wire-haired Dachshund pup who was born with a liver shunt. This is a blood vessel that's in the wrong place and keeps the liver from properly doing its many important jobs, resulting in a sick little doggie who has to be on medication and a special diet. The shunt can be surgically treated - but it's not a routine surgery - and it's costly. Sparky looks like a normal adorable puppy at first sight. He even runs around and loves to chase a ball. But he tends to stagger and fall over sometimes, it's one of the neurological side effects of his liver condition. Without treatment, toxins can build up in his system and lead to additional side effects like behavioral abnormalities and seizures. He is a tiny little guy, only a few pounds in weight. When you hold him, he feels so delicate and fragile, as if he has the bones of a bird. He can't receive vaccines or take certain meds because his liver can't handle them. If Sparky gets his surgery, his liver should function better and his protein metabolism, so crucial to puppy growth, will improve. UPDATE: Thank you for helping us raise the money for Sparky's surgery! If you want to help the other homeless animals of BARKS, you can donate via PayPal or you can send a check to BARKS, PO Box 593, Stanhope, NJ 07874. Thank you!
Because of you, the goal was reached and Sparky has an appointment for his surgery consultation next week. Updates will be posted when we have them. From Sparky, and all of us at BARKS, a huge THANK YOU to all who have contributed!!:
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