Toby's Story

PupWear was created out of love for Toby, a Yorkshire Terrier.

Toby was diagnosed with Pulmonic Stenosis at the age of 4 months.

Pulmonic Stenosis is a malformation of the pulmonic valve leading to an obstruction of blood flow from the heart to the lungs.  This obstruction of flow increases the pressure within the right side of the heart & over time can lead to right sided heart failure, even death, in severe cases.  This increase pressure of blood flow, from the narrowed pulmonic valve, causes a loud heart murmur, that can be detected by the vet during routine puppy visits.

In Toby's case, his heart murmur was not detected at his first 2 puppy shot visits & he had no symptoms of the disease.  At Toby's 3rd puppy shot visit, the vet heard a loud heart murmur.  While most puppy heart murmurs are "innocent", Toby's heart murmur was loud & concerning, resulting in a referral to a cardiologist.

The cardiologist performed an echocardiogram (heart ultrasound) & found Toby had severe Pulmonic Stenosis.  Left untreated, Toby would likely develop heart failure & not live a full life.  Due to the severity of Toby's Pulmonic Stenosis, his treatment will require medications & a balloon valvuloplasty, to open his pulmonic valve & reduce the pressure in his heart.  Due to his small size (3.5 lbs.) Toby will have to wait until he is full grown to have his surgery.  In the meantime, he will take heart medication (Coreg) to reduce the strain on his heart, to help delay heart failure.

Currently, Toby is living his best life.  He takes his medication twice daily like a champ & has not had any symptoms of heart failure.  While we try not to let him over do it, he loves to run, play, chew, give kisses, cuddle, & sleep.  He really is the sweetest little Yorkie.

From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you for visiting our store & we hope you enjoy your PupWear!

Best Wishes,

Toby & Lori

"No matter what life throws at you.....At the end of the day, your dog still loves you!"