Rescue puppy with heart defect adopted by WSU veterinarian
A poodle mix puppy rescued from an Idaho hoarding case underwent life-saving surgery for a congenital heart defect at Washington State University.
Teedee, a young poodle mix rescued this summer, has a new home with the Washington State University veterinarian who helped save his life. The puppy was among 38 dogs removed from a hoarding case in Benewah County, Idaho, and diagnosed with a serious congenital heart defect.
During his first veterinary examination, WSU veterinarian Dr. Cassidy Cordon detected a significant heart murmur. A follow-up confirmed the condition as patent ductus arteriosus, or PDA. In this defect, a fetal blood vessel called the ductus arteriosus, which connects the aorta and pulmonary artery, fails to close after birth. This forces the heart to work harder and can lead to heart failure if left untreated. The Idaho Animal Rescue Network, which took custody of the dogs, worked with WSU veterinarians to assess the animals' medical needs.
Treatment and foster care
To correct the defect, Teedee underwent a minimally invasive procedure at WSU’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital. The surgery was performed by cardiology resident Dr. Sarah Bayles under the supervision of cardiologist Dr. Ryan Baumwart. The procedure and recovery went smoothly, with follow-up evaluations showing excellent results.
After surgery, Teedee required 30 days of strict rest. Laura Williams, a WSU veterinary pathologist who earned her DVM from the university in 2013, volunteered to serve as his medical foster. She had recently lost her 12-year-old dog, Duke. Williams came across a social media post about Teedee’s need for a foster home. "He looked so much like Duke. I felt like it was my calling to do it, a way to honor Duke. It felt right," Williams said.
Teedee moved into Williams' home a few weeks before the surgery. She said keeping the active puppy quiet during his recovery was the hardest part. Community fundraising efforts helped cover the costs of his care. Jenna Redheart, director of the Idaho Animal Rescue Network, initially cared for Teedee. "We initially stuck him in medical foster, aka my house. You never would have known anything was wrong with him," Redheart noted. She emphasized the value of having a veterinary teaching hospital like WSU nearby for regional rescue groups, stating it makes an enormous, life-changing difference for animals.
Forever home and recovery
What began as a temporary medical foster placement turned into a permanent adoption. Teedee now lives with Williams, her five-year-old Dalmatian named Lelu, and a cat. Williams said everyone in the household has fallen in love with him. She expressed gratitude that the defect was caught and fixed by WSU veterinarians and thanked the rescue network for saving Teedee and his littermates.
Williams is employed at WSU’s Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, a short walk from the Veterinary Teaching Hospital. She reported that Teedee has been thriving since the surgery and is a sweetheart who loves people and her other pets. The successful intervention means Teedee is now expected to live a normal, healthy life with his new family.
