On September 18th this year, (in fact the day of the first Red Rocks show) Chuck, Rex, and I made our much-anticipated visit to see Dr. Chris Orton at the University of Colorado teaching animal hospital. It was time for Rex’s one-year check-up after having a faulty aortic heart valve replaced with a bovine tissue valve.

(Back-story)

When Rex was about 3 months old, at a routine check-up, Dr. Griffith in Austin, our vet at the time, discovered that Rex had a heart murmur that resulted in what was diagnosed as a faulty heart valve. His heart was leaking blood one side was larger than the other. After weighing the options of whether to allow him to live out his life until he had congestive heart failure which might be months to a couple of years, or whether we would pursue surgery, we opted for the latter. After researching our options, we learned that between Texas A&M and Colorado State, that CO state was having the best, if not the only success with these kinds of procedures with a doctor by the name of Chris Orton.

After waiting until Rex was almost full grown, he had his surgery in August of last year (2005). The surgery involves replacing the leaky heart valve with one of three types of valves: pig, bovine, of synthetic. At the time, Dr. Orton felt that the bovine was showing the most promise in people so we went with that, with the knowledge that getting through the surgery would not be as difficult for Rex as getting through the weeks following.

So, here we are, a little over a year after Rex, the wonder dog’s surgery. We were all wondering how much he might remember when was brought into the waiting room. Well, needless to say, Dr. Orton walked into the room and Rex practically jumped into his arms. (Rex had spent 3 weeks there recuperating and being watched so he most obviously won some hearts). Not only did he recognize Dr. Orton, but many of the doctors, including Rex’s anesthesiologist, Dr. Ann Wagner, and residents who had been there were excited to see him. He was the rock star of the day!

Still our nerves were on high until Dr. Orton could look him over to see how the valve was holding up. Through the halls, as we walked to the exam room, Rex was big dog on campus, literally, with everyone stopping to give him hugs and kisses.

The campus there is one of the best teaching Veterinary hospitals in the world and the advancements in research that has been done there have changed the way animals are treated. Chuck and I were so impressed by the dedication of the doctors as well as the students there.

We met up with Dr. T.J. Morrison (cardiology resident) and Heather Robinson (senior veterinary student)

who took us into the exam room and laid Rex up on the table, shaved his chest, and began ultrasounding his heart muscle. Much to our delight, the valve looked good, which was fantastic news since Rex was only one of 3 dogs out of five who have successfully had this surgery.

Dr. Orton gave us a tour of the hospital where we visit the cancer ward for dogs. I loved the attitude of these doctors because it was their belief that if the dog is happy and being loved that he will respond better to the treatment. So, when we walked in to the cancer area, there were all these dogs running around, some shaved in places, some with cones on their head, all happy and playful. It was interesting to me, as well, seeing the radiation machine and how similar it looked to the one I got to know intimately. The dogs undergoing radiation even had the same “tattoos” to line the machine up with that I had!

All in all, it was an amazing visit. I could tell Rex was happy to see the good folks that took such great care of him.

See you next year, Dr. Orton. Ruff ruff!!

Back Row (L to R)

Dr. Ann Wagner (Rex's anesthesiologist)

Heather Robinson (senior veterinary student)

Dr. T.J. Morrison (cardiology resident)

(The pic may not be up immediately due to a seemingly infinite technical problem)