A RESCUE puppy travelled from Abu Dhabi to Shirley for a lifesaving heart operation.
Snoob’s battle for survival began when a routine health check in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), turned into a life-or-death drama after the vet’s examination discovered he had a strong heart murmur.
Investigations by a veterinary cardiologist in the UAE revealed the eight-month-old American Bully was suffering from a potentially fatal birth defect called a pulmonic stenosis, which blocks the flow of blood from the heart into the lungs.
Despite being thousands of miles from home, Snoob was referred to the Willows, in Solihull, for expert care to mend his broken heart.
Owner Waddah Moseley, 24, from Abu Dhabi, said: “I’d taken Snoob in from a family who didn’t want him anymore and visited my local vets to update his vaccinations and have a health check.
“I’d only had him a week and suddenly I was hearing that he had a big heart murmur and, subsequently, that he had a serious heart problem, so it was all quite a shock.
“We’d bonded very well, though, so I was ready to do anything to make sure he came through all of this ok, even if it all seemed impossible at the time.
“The cardiologist in Dubai said the pulmonary stenosis was treatable but only in the UK. He recommended Willows, saying they were the best in the world.
“A week later, we were there ready for Snoob’s treatment to begin.”
World-leading cardiology specialists Joao Neves, Fabio Sacrinella and clinical director Jon Wray were all on hand to help Snoob when he arrived,
After checking Snoob over Joao and the team carried out a balloon valvuloplasty to stretch the heart valve open to reduce the obstruction and increase blood flow.
A delighted Waddah, who is a zoologist, added: “I used to think Snoob was a quiet, calm dog.
“I have two other dogs and he was always the last off the sofa when it was time to go out – now he’s the first.
“He’s much stronger, active and energetic and has developed a real personality of his own since the treatment.”
