The Mia Foundation
Mighty Max
Little Max was born with severe scoliosis. It was suggested that he be euthanized at birth. His breeder just couldn’t take his life after seeing how hard he fought and so he came to live with us at The Mia Foundation. When Max arrived at 6 weeks old, he could barely walk but we worked his little legs and tried straightening his back several times a day and within a week he was not only walking, but running!
Although we continued his physical therapy, as Max grew his spine was getting
noticeably worse. And then a new symptom occurred. We noticed that when people
he didn’t know held him he would have a panic attack. These attacks became so bad
that he was rushed to the vet several times and had to be sedated and given oxygen.
My vet told me that we would lose Max during one of these attacks and I should
consider euthanizing him. I decided to get my own oxygen tank to treat him
immediately when I saw an attack coming on. The oxygen did wonders for him and
he came out of these attacks much sooner when I administered the oxygen at the
first sign of an attack.
We saw two specialists in Rochester that both informed me that Max’s condition was terminal. So, I brought him to Cornell University and they told me the same thing. They said that Max’s bones would eventually crush his internal organs. We started searching for other vets around the country to take on Max’s case.
I saw a happy, healthy little puppy that just happened to have a curved spine, a puppy that
deserved at least a chance. He could walk and run, wag his tail and play like any other puppy
his age. Max never showed any signs that he was in any pain.
We found a vet in Philadelphia that specialized in birth defects and genetic disorders that
wanted to see Max. So, we packed him up and drove him to Pennsylvania. We spent the day
there while they X-rayed him and ran tests. I was so hopeful that we had finally found someone
willing to help with this precious baby. When they finally called us into a room, we were once again told that nothing could be done. They said it was the worst case of scoliosis they had ever seen and also said that he was terminal and that I should consider euthanasia. They also said that Max only had one functioning lung and his ribs were severely deformed as well as his spine.
We left there and I promised Max that I would never give up on him as long as he
was happy and pain free.
The body is an amazing thing and who’s to say that it won’t rearrange or
compensate for the deformity?
Max is 7 months old now. We never hold Max, for fear of pushing on his lung and causing a panic attack but we have plenty of cuddle time on the floor and in bed. Max and his oxygen tank go everywhere with us. He must be monitored at all times so the oxygen can be administered if he needs it. The panic attacks are getting less frequent because we are more aware now as to what causes them.
We have decided to just let Max finish growing and see what happens. He is a funny little
dog with quite the personality. None of the vets thought he would live this long yet he is still
here and doing very well. I don’t know what the future holds for him but I do know that we
should not be so quick to euthanize these animals. If they are happy and not suffering they
deserve a chance at a happy life. They give back so much more than people realize.
Max was the first animal taken in by The Mia Foundation. He has found his forever home
right here with us.
Max went to live with the Angels on 9-7-2013. He was 17 months old. His determination, love and beautiful little face will never be forgotten.
