When a pet is in agony and has no life quality, humane euthanasia is an option. It’s also a possibility for a puppy like Bronson. Bronson, like his siblings, was born via cesarean section. Except for Bronson, everyone was fine.
The baby had a cleft palate, and his prognosis was bleak. Surgery was an option in the future, but getting him to nurse properly in the interim would be impossible. It would be difficult to ensure that he survived and thrived until he was old enough (and strong enough) for surgery.
The owner made the decision to euthanize him.
But one guy was adamantly opposed to it. The vet technician, known as kaffekalle on Imgur, sought to save the tiny puppy.
“I agreed to take him on knowing he might not live. On my 30th birthday, a chocolate lab gave birth to 9 puppies by c-section in my veterinary office. One of those puppies had a cleft palate, and the owners chose to euthanize him. Knowing what a sucker I was, another vet tech convinced the family to sign the puppy over to me in exchange for me to foster the puppy. “Please accept my chocolate shake and my chocolate lab puppy.”
The vet tech was advised that Bronson’s survival was unlikely, but she had no choice but to try. On Imgur, she wrote:
“Puppies usually do not thrive depending on the degree of the cleft and whether it affects the hard or soft palate.” They die of malnutrition because the gap in the roof of their mouth prevents them from sucking correctly. “This tiny chocolate bean had no clue he had any terrible DNA and latched on to his binky instantly.”
Bronson was able to feed by getting his muscles acclimated to the binky. “At this point, I’ve been getting up every 1-2 hours to tube-feed this young boy with a red rubber tube and syringe Esbilac” (puppy milk replacer). I’m fatigued, but I’m beginning to believe that my little’science experiment’ might possibly live.”
“Every day, this small boy accompanied me to work.” Because I worked in a veterinary clinic, it was simple for me to feed and excite him every two hours. He was a big fan of his binky.”
Bronson was making unexpected progress at three weeks old. He was blowing expectations out of the water! “At this moment, I’m convinced that this young guy was a fighter.” He was starting to howl for his food and would bolt out of his kennel on his small legs.”
The vet tech’s images and narrative touched many people’s hearts, including her own!
“Bronson is beginning to resemble a true pupper. I CAN’T EVEN EVEN AT THIS POINT.”
“[He] is getting into [things] and racing around the house like a lunatic.” I purchase him a Superman t-shirt so I can see him soar. He’s really mischievous, and I adore him for it.”
Despite Bronson’s growth and spirit, his mother was concerned about the forthcoming surgery. “Bronson’s cleft palate was extremely severe, extending from his hard to his soft palate.” The surgeon I worked with was apprehensive of my taking on this type of genetic abnormality, but he was also curious to see how he would fare. He would continue to monitor Bronson’s problem so that we might schedule surgery.”
Bronson continued to accompany his mother to work every day, and he rapidly became a staff favorite! And, like any typical puppy, he got himself into some mischief.
“He became obsessed with putting anything and everything in his mouth.” I knew what I had gotten myself into by having a mouthy lab with a hole in the roof of his mouth.”
Bronson’s cleft became larger as he grew. The surgery was unavoidable.
Despite being a difficult case, Bronson came through surgery like a champ!
So now take a glance at him…
“He’s there now with Layla, his 12-year-old pit bull terrier sister, and Harley, his 10-year-old border collie brother.” He can play with toys, chew on rawhides, swim in the water, go for walks, brings me sticks…basically live the rest of his life as an entirely normal lab… “I adore my puppies.”