Lucky (Fortuna 19-114A)

Fortuna 19-114AFortuna 19-114A

Profile

Fortuna became a RAGOM dog after leaving the commercial breeding life behind. Although she was underweight, dirty, and with ear infections upon arrival, she is beginning to thrive in foster care.  Because of her background, she is shy and fearful. Children must be age 10+ and another dog is required for Fortuna to learn from. Since she is fearful and could bolt, a physical fence is required. Fortuna needs a calm, patient home ready to help her overcome her fears and blossom into a sweet, confident companion.

At a Glance #19-114A

Golden Retriever Born: March 2017
Female 40 lbs

Status: Adopted

Profile

Fortuna became a RAGOM dog after leaving the commercial breeding life behind. Although she was underweight, dirty, and with ear infections upon arrival, she is beginning to thrive in foster care.  Because of her background, she is shy and fearful. Children must be age 10+ and another dog is required for Fortuna to learn from. Since she is fearful and could bolt, a physical fence is required. Fortuna needs a calm, patient home ready to help her overcome her fears and blossom into a sweet, confident companion.

Updates

Wednesday, July 31, 2019

Fortuna is doing great and came through her spay surgery with no problems. She is all healed up and ready to move on to her forever home.

Fortuna is such a sweet girl and her new family is so pleased to have her come join their family. She will have two dog sisters and one dog brother, and her new name is Lucky!

Congratulations to the H family on your new addition. I know Lucky is going to have the Golden Life she so deserves.

Fortuna 19-114A
Fortuna 19-114A

Sunday, July 21, 2019

I would like to apologize for the long delay in Fortuna's update. During her checkup, they found that she has a heart murmur. I wanted to get the diagnosis before I updated her page.

Fortuna did see a cardiologist. It was determined that she does have a heart defect. I am told this is the most common defect found in Golden Retrievers. Most animals with mild aortic stenosis never become symptomatic for the disease.

I am adding the diagnosis that the cardiologist sent to me.

Diagnosis:

1. Mild subaortic stenosis
2. Mild to moderate aortic regurgitation

Fortuna has mild subaortic stenosis, which is an inherited heart defect involving a ridge of tissue beneath the aortic valve. This causes blood to travel across the aortic valve at a higher speed than normal and is the source of her heart murmur. 

Her aortic valve is also leaking to a mild to moderate degree. In dogs with a significant aortic valve leak, their left heart can become enlarged and eventually lead to congestive left heart failure (fluid build-up in the lungs causing cough and shortness of breath).

Fortuna's heart size is currently normal, and congestive heart failure is not expected in the near term, if ever. 

Most animals with mild aortic stenosis never become symptomatic for the disease. However, there may be an increased risk of infection of the aortic valve, and therefore she should receive antibiotics with any major surgeries, wounds, fevers, or infections.

Because subaortic stenosis is an inherited trait, these animals should not be used for breeding. 

We should continue to monitor Fortuna's heart on a long-term basis with echocardiography.

The cardiologist recommendation is to allow Fortuna to set her own limits. No forced exercise, monitor her, and have free water always available to her.

Recheck Instructions:

For the heart, Fortuna should ideally have a recheck echocardiogram in 12 months, or sooner if heart-related signs develop.

I did check with them, and a echocardiogram at this time is around $350.00

Fortuna is a wonderful dog that is starting to come out of her shell. She loves all the dogs that she meets. She does seek out my attention for pets. She is much more comfortable when we are outside. The inside of the house is still scary for her.

Fortune will be spayed this coming week and then will be ready to find her forever home.

Things she will need in her forever home.

  • A dog of her size to help her learn and to help her feel more comfortable in the home.
  • A home with a fenced-in yard.
  • A home without small children. She is good with kids, but the little ones scare her with their fast movements and the noises they make.
  • A family who will monitor her heart and give her the medical care that she will need. 
  • A quieter home where she can set her own limits. She does enjoy taking walks and she is playful with the other dogs. We let her decide if and when she wants to play.  

If you have what Fortuna (Lucky) needs and think you would be able to give her the home she deserves, please let us know.

Fortuna 19-114A
Fortuna 19-114A
Fortuna 19-114A

Friday, May 31, 2019

Fortuna is doing well. We do call her Lucky. She has finally been able to relax a little.

Fortuna 19-114A

She is looking much better and is starting to fill out. She will be going to the vet this week for a booster shot and to recheck her ears. I am anxious to see how much she weighs.

Fortuna 19-114A

She gets along great with all dogs. We had lots of company this past holiday weekend, people and dogs. She played with all of the dogs.

The people were more scary for her. With a little sweet talking, she would come up to them for pets. She is fearful of fast movements and loud noises. She was scared, but also very brave. 

Fortuna 19-114A

We were sitting on the patio and my husband came down the steps with a bag in his hand. Lucky wanted to hide under the table, but she didn't know how to do that and ended up on top of the table. Silly girl.

Fortuna 19-114A

Lucky has learned lots of new things. She is doing great on a leash. At first, we tried a flat collar and she would do circles around me. Next, we tried a harness. She did great with that, walking right at my side and not pulling.

We also use a slip leash on her for added protection if she tries to pull out of the harness or if she gets scared and wants to run away.

Fortuna 19-114A

She is sleeping quietly in a crate at night and keeps it clean and dry. She has not had any potty accidents in the house. She is such a good girl! 

We will update again soon.

Monday, May 13, 2019

Let me introduce you to Fortuna. Her name means "lucky." She and her two sisters sure were lucky to cross paths with Denise, our rescue Angel. 

Fortuna will never to be known as number 54 again. Rescue matters; just ask this lucky girl!

Fortuna at intake
Fortuna at intake
A relic of Fortuna's past life as number 54
A relic of Fortuna's past life as number 54

Fortuna originated from a commercial breeding facility. She turned two years old in March.

All three sisters came into RAGOM very underweight. Fortuna weighed 38 pounds, had infected ears, and was very fearful and filthy. 

Scared little girl
Scared little girl

After a few baths and a visit to the vet, Fortuna is on the mend. She is up to 40 pounds and her ears are feeling much better. 

She is a sweet girl and does come up to me for pets and love. She loves the other dogs in our home. They really do bring out joy and happiness in Fortuna! 

Happy to be with other dogs
Happy to be with other dogs

Check back soon to see how she is doing. 

Smiling Fortuna
Smiling Fortuna