At first glance, Hannah is a Shepherd blend puppy like any other. She is energetic, enjoys chasing the ball, and is loving and cuddly. Although she may seem perfect on the outside, inside she is dealing with a severe medical condition called renal dysplasia and needs your help.
Say hello to Hannah: a 6-month-old Shepherd-Retriever blend diagnosed with renal dysplasia. Renal dysplasia is a hereditary condition. Her kidneys were not properly developed at birth, causing them to not function properly and filter out toxins. Hannah’s case is severe. When she got to the Center, she was classified as having Stage 2 kidney disease. She has since been moved up to Stage 3.
(Hannah having a puppuccino)
Hannah’s Bucket List Journey
Helen Woodward Animal Center wants Hannah to live her life to the fullest and enjoy as much as other dogs would during their lifetime. Hannah began checking things off her bucket list as she gets to enjoy her journey, regardless of what her lifespan is. She was able to check off having a puppuccino while overlooking the ocean. She even got to experience the beautiful sensation of her paws touching the sand at the beach as she frolicked around and watched the waves at Del Mar Dog Beach.
She even got to go on Fox5 News to fulfill her wish of being on TV! She had such a great time lounging on the comfy couches as she smiled at the camera. She also got to enjoy many other things dogs are known to enjoy such as have a shopping spree at a local pet store, try a hotdog, go to a theme park and much, much more.
(Hannah looking at the ocean)
Looking at this dog you would not believe she has a chronic medical condition. Hannah’s strong personality brings so much light to anyone around her. With Stage 2 kidney disease clinical signs are often mild or absent. Once it advances to Stage 3 and beyond, we start to see clinical signs such as increased thirst and urination, nausea, vomiting, and decreased appetite followed by weight loss.
Hannah progressed to Stage 3 this week. While she is not yet experiencing any of the clinical signs mentioned, her medical exam levels came back higher this week. Our team of veterinarians continue to examine and give Hannah the best care possible, but there is nothing like having a safe place to call home.
(Hannah at Fox 5 News)
The outlook for renal dysplasia varies. For some dogs they are given only a few days to a few weeks, while others can live a healthy life for years. Hannah’s diagnosis is distressing, and the time frame is unreliable. The current prognosis is positive. Hannah is gaining appropriate weight like Shephard puppies, has the same energy levels, and the same lovely and caring behavior. She comes to the Center for her regular checkups.
UPDATE: Hannah has been adopted!
In October 2024, Hannah checked off the final item on her bucket list — she found her forever home where she’s living her best life.
Thank you to everyone who donated to her medical care and journey to make it truly magical. Hannah is so appreciative of all the experiences she got to have, she will never forget them! You can continue to support pets like Hannah and their medical treatments at animalcenter.org/helpinghannah
