Patient Stories

cardiologists in the interventional surgery suite at University of Illinois

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Bringing Open-Heart Surgery to Illinois: New Option Extends Pets’ Lives
November 6, 2025 / Giving Stories

It’s estimated that, by age 10, three in four small-breed dogs develop heart disease. They are especially susceptible to degenerative mitral valve disease. “Mitral valve disease is one of the most common and devastating heart…
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Twin cats, Lucy and Violet, lay together.

Cat Fights Autoimmune Disease

July 29, 2019 / Patient Stories

Lucy arrived at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital severely anemic with a red-blood-cell count barely compatible with life. WIth a strong family behind her, a caring doctor before her, and the suuport of the Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hopsital staff Lucy continues to push through to recovery.

[Tucker Tallering]

From Phobic to Functioning: One Dog’s Stormy Story

March 19, 2018 / Patient Stories

Pets’ behavioral conditions affect the whole family Dr. Kathy Tallering remembers the exact moment it began. The Chicago pediatrician was taking her then-four-year-old Portuguese water dog, Tucker, for a walk in their Lincoln Park neighborhood…
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[Nana the Chihuahua from Thailand cavorts in Illini garb]

Dog from Thailand Gets Heart Repair at University of Illinois

September 06, 2017 / General News

  [row][column size=8] [callout title=”Traveling a World Away for a Second Chance”] For the full story of Nana’s heart repair procedure, including video of the placement of the occluder, see storied.illinois.edu. [/callout] [/column][column size=4][/column][/row]  …
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[police dog treated at Vet Med]

Police Dog Saved from Amputation

June 05, 2017 / Patient Stories

In January 2017, Marshall County (Ill.) Sheriff’s Deputy Bob Vester and his 10-year-old German Shepherd partner, Flits, were hailed as the 2016 K-9 Team of the Year by the Central Illinois Police and Working Dog…
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[Loki before and after his illness]

Mischievous Loki Makes Miraculous Recovery

April 29, 2017 / General News

Loki Before the Illness, During Recovery Imagine you bring home a mixed-breed terrier puppy and his boundless energy immediately captures your heart. “He was very healthy, very active,” Miranda Karban says of the family pet,…
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[patient story-mayzie]

Mayzie Bounds Back after Microchip Mishap

April 01, 2017 / Patient Stories

‘Teaching Moment’ Has Happy Ending Most experts agree that implanting a microchip in your dog is one of the safest and most responsible decisions a pet owner can make, ensuring you can be found if…
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