Marlin Story's

Marlin is an adorable, sweet puppy who arrived with five siblings from an overcrowded shelter in Nevada. As the runt of the litter, he was especially small and fragile. When the litter tested positive for giardia, we initially believed that explained his occasional vomiting. However, when his symptoms did not improve, radiographs revealed a more serious underlying issue.

Marlin was diagnosed with a persistent right aortic arch (PRAA), a congenital condition in which the aortic arch forms on the wrong side of the heart. This abnormal formation can create a constricting ring around the esophagus, making it difficult for food to pass into the stomach.

The surgery Marlin needed is typically performed only by a specialist, but our team felt confident they could take it on. While he worked to gain enough strength for the procedure, Marlin had to be fed a liquid diet in an upright position and kept that way for 25 minutes after every meal. Staff members took turns caring for him during this time, and it didn’t take long for everyone to become deeply attached.

Marlin then underwent a delicate open-chest surgery to remove the band at the base of his heart that was causing the constriction.

Thankfully, the surgery was a success, and he has been recovering quickly. He is still transitioning back to a normal diet, but he continues to make wonderful progress. After spending more than a month in our care, Marlin is now thriving in his new home and can eat solid food without any issues.