Katherine Heigl Helping Sochi Dogs in Danger

by Patrick Mahaney on April 24, 2014

Katherine Heigl Helping Sochi Dogs in DangerThis article originally appeared on Dr. Mahaney’s Pet-Lebrity News column on Pet360.com as Katherine Heigl Helping Sochi Dogs in Danger

 It’s great to learn of the efforts made by pet lovers, athletes, and their philanthropic supporters to help provide better lives to homeless dogs from Sochi Russia (see US Olympians Adopting Dogs From Sochi).

Besides having no forever homes, some of the dogs have also dealt the blow of being affected by a potentially fatal illness.  Without having regular examinations by a veterinarian, deworming, vaccination, other treatments, and diagnostic testing during their maturation in their native Russian homeland, these puppies are left susceptible to a variety of infectious organisms that are otherwise preventable through appropriate wellness care.

Fortunately, altruistic celebrities like actress Katherine Heigl and former Bachelorette/E! News correspondent Ali Fedotowsky have stepped in to facilitate provision of medical care for these lucky dogs whose illnesses are simply a result of their being victims of circumstance.

Celebrity Help

According to the UK Daily Mail Fedotowky was covering the Olympics for E! News and facilitated the rescue of two cute canines she named Sochi and Adler.

The Jason Debus Heigl Foundation, a charity set up by Katherine in honor of her deceased brother Jason, stepped in to help fund and arrange for Sochi and Adler’s treatment with their veterinary partners.

Unfortunately, Sochi was reported to be infected with and suffering from viral diseases that are otherwise preventable via appropriate vaccination, including:

Parvovirus- A nasty virus that attacks rapidly dividing cells in the small and large intestine.  Once the integrity of the intestinal cells is compromised, digestive tract signs appear (vomit, diarrhea, inappettence, etc.) and normal intestinal bacteria can even escape into the blood to cause a life-threatening condition called sepsis (blood-borne bacterial infection).

Distemper- Another dreadful virus that first weakens the respiratory tract to permit development of bacterial pneumonia that usually responds to antibiotic therapy.  Unfortunately, the nervous system is also damaged by the Distemper virus and dogs that recover from the respiratory portion of the disease are often left with neurologic problems (tremors, difficulty walking and performing normal-dog-daily functions, seizures, etc.).

Fortunately for Adler, her reported ailments have less-potentially fatal health concerns, including:

Bordetella- A bacteria that is the causative agents of what we veterinarians call infectious tracheobronchitis (ITB) but is commonly known as kennel cough.

Mycoplasma- A bacteria capable of infecting multiple body systems including in the respiratory tract, eyes, intestines, and even the joints.

Coronavirus- A virus that causes mild to severe diarrhea that can be prevented via vaccination. In cats, coronaviruses are known to cause a fatal disease called Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP).

Tritrichomonas- A single celled organism called a protozoa that infects the intestinal tract (especially the large intestine) and causes severe digestive tract upset (diarrhea, fluid/electrolyte/nutrient loss, etc.).

“Some unidentified fungus on her face”- Perhaps it’s Dermatophytosis (ringworm), as described by the Jason Heigl Foundation executive director Jennifer Brent.

A Brighter Future

The good news for Adler is that her health rapidly improved.  Brent reported “she’s going to the kennel on Saturday, her rabies quarantine ends on the 7th of April, and she will be ready for adoption. She’s a perky, happy little girl.”  Ultimately, Sochi also recovered, but I have concerns for Sochi’s future due to her history of Distemper virus infection and potential for residual neurologic effects.

According to A Healthy Future for Sochi and Adler, both dogs are completing their foster-home based Rabies quarantine.  Once complete, Sochi is slated for a move to Nashville, TN where he’ll live with Amanda Bird, the Marketing and Communications Director for the USA bobsled and skeleton team.

I wish both dogs well in their future homes and commend all parties involved in providing transport, medical care, and awareness of the plight faced by domestic and international animal “have nots.”  It’s great to see celebrities using their notoriety for good the good of animals in need.

Thank you for reading this article.  Your questions and comments are completely welcome (I’ll respond).
Please feel free to communicate with me through Twitter (@PatrickMahaney) and follow my adventures in veterinary medicine by liking Patrick Mahaney: Veterinarian Acupuncture Pain Management for Your Pets on Facebook.

Copyright of this article (2014) is owned by Dr Patrick Mahaney, Veterinarian and Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist. Republishing any portion of this article must first be authorized by Dr Patrick Mahaney. Requests for republishing must be approved by Dr Patrick Mahaney and received in written format.

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