From Critical Condition to Officially Adopted: Blaze’s Miracle Journey

Coughing, gasping for air, and clinging to life, Blaze was running out of time. After emergency heart worm extraction surgery, 


When we met this sweet boy at a shelter, he was dying of Caval Syndrome—a severe, life-threatening complication of heartworm disease where a massive cluster of adult worms obstructs blood flow through the heart. Red blood cells were being destroyed as they circulated through his heart, causing his urine to turn dark red.

Without immediate, emergency extraction surgery, he had almost no chance of survival.
We scrambled to find help. Dr. Darrow at ECoVETS squeezed Blaze into his schedule and reached out to Dr. Seymour—a leading expert in heartworm extraction who came out of retirement specifically to help perform this high-risk procedure.

Timing was everything, but Blaze was in critical condition and couldn't wait. Our volunteer Cici rushed to transport him halfway to the vet, but Blaze was coughing and struggling to breathe on the road. We immediately put him on a portable oxygen kit at the handoff to keep him stabilized.
Because anesthesia is extremely risky for dogs in right-sided heart failure, the medical team used light sedation to perform the surgery. In a incredible feat, Dr. Darrow and Dr. Seymour successfully extracted 47 adult heartworms from Blaze’s heart!

Following his surgery, Blaze moved into a foster home with Joan & Keith Radenhausen to recover. A follow-up echocardiogram confirmed he still has some heartworms—which was expected—so he’ll complete standard heartworm treatment now. He settled right in and clicked immediately with his foster dog sibling, Ellie.

Joan and Keith followed our advice for a slow, structured introduction—and it didn't take long for them to realize they couldn't imagine their lives without him. Blaze is officially adopted!
From gasping for air on the side of the road to thriving in a loving forever home, Blaze’s story is a true miracle. Thank you to our incredible medical team, transporters, volunteers, and supporters who helped save this sweet boy's life.

𝗙𝗨𝗥 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵𝗹𝘆 𝗚𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺
Sick and injured animals need help fast. Every donation helps, but Monthly donors give us flexibility to respond immediately when there is an emergency. When there is a hoarding case or a hurricane, a dog with a gunshot wound or a cruelty case, we have to act quickly. We don't have time to run a fundraiser, and wait for those funds to get to us. Your monthly donation can help us save lives again and again. Learn more at: https://www.floridaurgentrescue.org/donatemonthly

To Donate: 
— Credit Card: www.floridaurgentrescue.org/donate
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— PayPal: floridaurgentrescue@gmail.com
— Mail: Florida Urgent Rescue
    7643 Gate Parkway #104-27
    Jacksonville, FL 32256

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Florida Urgent Rescue is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and is rated in the top 1/10th of 1% of all nonprofits nationwide. FUR earned a Four-Star Rating on Charity Navigator with a score of 100%, and a 2025 Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency by Guidestar. FUR is also rated as a Top Nonprofit on Great Nonprofits. 

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