SONNY'S CRUSADE

 "CREATING A HIGHER STANDARD FOR HEALTHY DOGS"

The History and Mission of Sonny’s Crusade

The Crusade's roots started to take form when Sonny was first diagnosed with cystinuria in July 07. The journey that we were about to embark proved to be the most emotionally exhausting, financially draining and utterly frustrating experince in my life. And I can't rest until I tell the entire story.

I first held Sonny when he was three weeks old. As he nestled in my hands and fell asleep, I had the strongest feeling that he would need something more. I never imagined the need would be expressed in the form of a genetic disease.

The nightmare began the morning of July 17th 2007. On our morning walk Sonny was having a difficult time voiding and he was becoming more and more distressed. I'll never forget the fear in his beautiful eyes. I took him to a neighborhood vet who almost killed him. Poor quality films were taken that showed some shadows which indicated stones. The tech missed seeing cystine in the urine. And, even though his bladder was full the vet opted not to run a catheter. His expert advice was to feed a Rx diet. My bill was over $400.

My heart told me something else was going on and that I had better get Sonny to another vet. So I raced down 1-95 to Hollywood Animal Hospital and another set of high quality films were taken. This set showed stones - not shadows. A catheter was run and the lab tech came back with the news that cystine was present in the urine. It was decided to try and break the stones up medically with postassium citrate. That didn't work and he obstructed again a few days later which resulted in an early morning emergency room visit to run a catheter. That same morning he obstructed again and he was rushed into surgery in the knick of time because his bladder had burst, urethra was torn and 70 stones were removed. And he survived.

The stones were sent to Univeristy of Minnesota and it was confirmed they were 100% cystine. I also sumitted samples to University of Pa. to help in their ongoing cystinuria research and it was confirmed again that Sonny is ill.

I contacted the breeder and was met with resistance. The sire's breeder told me that she "never heard of this disease so it must not exist." The breeders shoved this under the rug and hoped that I'd go away.

But Cystinuria is a recurring genetic disease and when Sonny blocked again 4 months later requiring a second surgical episode this time removing over 150 stones I contacted my breeder again. She still maintained her original position being that she's never heard of cystinuria that she's not obligated to me or my dog in any fashion but she did offer me a replacement dog which I declined for obvious reasons.

During all of this, I researched and studied cystinuria exhaustively. And I learned Rottweilers are on the breed list for this genetic defect. I also learned that pups can be tested for this genetic metabolic disorder as young a two days old via a urine sample sent to UPenn. The other things I learned were that there is no cure, it can not be controlled by diet and there are only two ways to manage this disease. The first way is with a human drug called Thiola which is manufactured by Mission Pharm. It's a chelating drug thought to break up stones and keep new ones from forming. However, it is very expensive and Mission doesn't have a program to help defray the cost. The second is a surgical procedure which is reconstructive in nature where a large alternative opening is created allowing the stones to pass. It's a very messy, expensive procedure with a very long recovery time.

After the second episode I opted to use Thiola because it works 86% of the time. Each pill cost $1.10 and Sonny needed 12 a day. He was on the drug from mid November 2007 until March 7 2008 and he blocked again. My choices were to put him down or the reconstructive surgery which I swore I'd never do. But Dr. Thomas Sessa/Hollywood Animal earned my trust and faith so I agreed to the procedure. Sonny was home within 23 hours and his recovery has been truly remarkable.

After giving some consideration to my breeder's position, I filed a complaint with the AKC. I received a beautiful form letter thanking me for writing about my concerns however, I should seek legal counsel. It appears that the AKC is just a registry and doesn't hold breeders to any standards whatsoever.

I also filed a complaint with the agriculture and consumer services but was told the best they could do was mediate. And once again, the breeder held fast to her position but says she acted and reacted in goodwill by offering me a pup which was a calculated gesture she knew I'd never accept.

I spoke with several lawyers and they all felt I could win the case but it would cost a ton of money just to prove a point. One of the lawyers suggested I investigate Florida's Pet Lemon Law (HB444) to see if I could get a remedy. Well, the law is designed to cover the first year of a puppy/kitten life and since Sonny was diagnosed well past that time the law offered me nothing. However, the Senator that is responsible for the bill was interested in Sonny's story and my thoughts on why the bill needs to be expanded. I worded a buyer beware disclaimer as an amendment to the bill and it passed the comittee last week. Part of the Crusade's mission is to get mandated cystinuria testing before placing a pup with a family.

So far the medical expenses that I've incurred are close $8000. Cystinuria and the treatment/management of this awful disease is very costly.

Now let me share with you how this genetic metabolic disease has destroyed my husband Bob who did two tours in 'Nam as a combat medic. When Sonny obstructed the second time Dr. Sessa wanted to avoid a second surgery as much as we did. So with his blessing and training from a lab tech we were taught how to run a catheter with the idea that it was possible for the stones to pass on their own. We set up a mash unit and treated Sonny for 8 days. On the eight day, the catheter bent completely inhalf indicating the stones were never going to pass on their own. The stress and worry over Sonny triggered a severe case of PTSD for Bob. He is now under the care of the VA and we're trying to pick up the pieces. It's been a very slow and very painful process.

The pity of alll of this is that it could have been avoided if the breeder stayed on top of breed issues. And if she had submitted a urine sample to UPENN before placing Sonny with us.

But as I have shared with you, no one holds breeders to any standards. All I wanted was a refund of the purchase price ($1500) plus the cost of the first surgery because that's when he was diagnosed. After that, it was my decision to continue to battle the genetic disease.

After much thought, I came to the conclusion in order for me to heal I had to become proactive and try to prevent another family and another dog from having to suffer on so many different levels. That's what Sonny's Crusade is all about - education, awareness, breeder continuing education, breeder accountability and mandated cystinuria testing.

We have to speak and protect our canine companions. No dog wants to be born with a painful genetic disease. No person wants to unknowingly purchase a genetically defective dog. No breeder should have the power to ruin a family.

We are an approved non-profit in Florida and I will be applying for federal status in the fall.

If you wish to help our mission you can send donations to:

Please use donation tab above or

email us at sonnyscrusade@bellsouth.net

for an address.

Florida Solicitation of Contribution Act Registration # CH 26253

A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE (800-453-7352) WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.

All donations are tax deductible and the Crusade will send you a receipt.

For more information about Canine Cystinuria please visit www.caninecystinuria.com