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Contact info: The
Chunja Club Europe Australia USA
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The Chunja Club Chunja's Story by Gloria Lambert Janet, 49, a clinical psychologist for the poor and under privileged, and a long time Chihuahua lover, said good bye to her beloved Shirley after a many year battle with CHF. Still grieving her loss but willing to seek solace in another lap companion, Janet decided she might like to exhibit and finally found what she thought to be a reputable show breeder in Texas. Janet received Boolie with open arms and love. Within a few months it became apparent that Boolie was not a show dog nor was his breeder reputable. Boolie, who now weighs 9 lbs and so severely undershot he drools, is now neutered and remains as Janet's companion. Still willing to take the chance that not all show breeders are fabricators and cheats, Janet joined a few email lists where she thoroughly enjoyed the comradery and she made plans to get that perfect show companion. Fate would not be kind and Janet suffered a stroke which involved retinal detachment and temporary paralysis. With months of rehabilitation in her future and surgery to correct her vision Janet had to place her dream of a show Chihuahua on hold. The days and weeks passed Janet was back to her old self, still she longed for that show companion. Janet remained a member of several Chihuahua email lists and the typing seemed to improve her mood as well as her dexterity. Once again Janet made plans to welcome that new family member into her life. The anticipation was mounting as Janet flew to Los Angles to pick up her beloved Chunja and bring her back home to Louisiana. Janet was finally happy. Chunja, a bit on the smaller side was still an excellent example of the breed and a delightful, playful little puppy. Shortly after Chunja turned 4 months old it was apparent something was dreadfully wrong. Rushing her in as a veterinary emergency, Janet was informed of a problem that Chunja had that may very well cost her, her life! Serum bile acid tests were run and the preliminary diagnosis was Porto systemic Shunt. Chunja had all the classic symptoms. Staggering, falling down, coupled with focal seizures that occur 2-3 hours after eating. An MRI was planned at Gulf Coast Veterinary Associates who are specialists in Houston, TX. They need for her to be at least 2lbs. before they can use the anesthesia. She must be perfectly still when they do this. She weighed only 30 ounces at that time. She eats very little so getting her weight up high enough to do the MRI has been a struggle. Meanwhile, Chunja has more good times than bad. Lactulose has helped.. Chunja's breeder was informed of the rapidly occurring developments and promptly sent Janet back the money she had paid for Chunja so it may go towards her medical expense. Surgery seems the only alternative. The (GCV Specialists Surgical Team) plan to have several top surgeons work together on her, and then she will have to stay several days in their ICU (Intensive Care Unit). Prior to doing this, they want to repeat all blood work and repeat the ultra-sound now that she is 8 ounces larger. She went from 670 grams, when she first arrived, to 970 grams. Her weight still fluctuates because Janet must restrict her food intake when the seizures get worse, which has been happening lately, unfortunately. She also must be careful not to let her weight drop too low, since they cannot (will not) perform the surgery if she is under 908 grams due to lethal complications with the anesthesia. The toy breed specialist, Dr. Ford, Janet uses as her vet in Louisiana, is affiliated with GCV Specialists and he is monitoring her daily. They must do a diagnostic dye radiography which also involves anesthesia, at least one day prior to surgery. The diagnostic work up with repeat blood work, ultra sound, dye radiography under anesthesia and ICU overnight care is around $900. The surgery with a team of specialists, neuro and vascular surgeons to locate and close a shunt surgically in a dog this small is $4,000. All of this was in process when last month, due to financial re-structuring, Janet's position was terminated along with five other senior therapists. If the trauma of being unemployed was not bad enough, to put Janet in a tailspin, Chunja's Porto systemic liver shunt worsened considerably. She began losing muscle tone in her legs and wobbling around, disoriented. Then, the seizures started. Janet and Dr Ford have altered her diet, tried homeopathic remedies, which have helped but don't cure the problem. The only solution is surgery. Now Chunja's fate is up in the air. Friends of Janet's, that she has gotten to know on the European Chihuahua list, have collected over $1000 dollars that will go to pay for part of this surgical cost. Along with the refund from Chunja's breeder of $1000 . A homeopathic vet in Holland has put Chunja on her web site trying to raise funds to aid in her surgical costs. The article about her is in Dutch, but you can see photos of Chunja at : http://vetcare.homestead.com/vetcare.html I warn you the photos are disturbing. If anyone on the list is familiar with any organizations that we may contact at this time to ask for help on Chunja's behalf please email me privately. The surgery must be paid in full up front. The reason I and others feel this is important is because this type of surgery may lead to advances in the treatment and care of Porto systemic shunt patients. There is no guarantee with this type of surgery but without it Chunja will surely die. Janet and Chunja have been through allot . I am so encouraged by the outpouring of love and support by our European counterparts to help Chunja. Its as if the entire world wants to join together and show they care.
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