Vanilla's brother, Red Velvet (adopted) can also be seen on our website.
Vanilla's brother, Orange Cream (adopted) can also be seen on our website.
Vanilla's sister, Strawberry (adopted) can also be seen on our website.
Vanilla's brother, Chocolate (adopted) can also be seen on our website.
Vanilla's brother, Lemon (adopted) can also be seen on our website.

Special Needs: Vanilla was diagnosed with a Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA). This is a congenital condition where a blood vessel present in the fetus, the ductus arteriosus, remains open after birth. In the fetus, the ductus arteriosus connects the pulmonary artery to the descending aorta so that blood bypasses the underdeveloped fetal lungs. It typically closes shortly after birth, however abnormal closure results in a patent ductus. Treatment recommended for this condition is medical management if there is evidence of congestive heart failure and surgical closure of the abnormal vessel. Unfortunately Vanilla's duct is large and there is severe secondary remodeling of her heart. Her left ventricle is dilated and her function poor. She has very high pressure in her pulmonary vessels as well, due to the large volume of the shunt. This has led to bidirectional flow through her duct, and indicates she may be on the road to reversal. Once a PDA completely reverses, surgical closure is no longer an option and prognosis is grave. I am hopeful that closing the duct will improve her prognosis, however with the degree of remodeling that she has there is a high probability she will have to remain on cardiac medications for life and will have a shortened life span. Closing the PDA can be performed using interventional techniques (performed through a catheter in the leg) or with traditional open- chest surgery. Success rates for these procedures are high and complication rates are generally low, although when they do occur they are often very serious. Interventional closure options are performed routinely at the University of Florida.

Description:
Back in 2015, I was diagnosed with Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA).  Because a lot of people cared, I had open heart surgery and am doing great. My cardiologist cleared me for adoption :).  ASC will give you my medical information because I will need a follow up next year.  I would love to be part of a family that would love me for better or for worse :). Is that you?