20-05-2025
Massachusetts animal hospital to perform life-saving surgery on homeless puppy
PITTSFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – A homeless puppy living at the Berkshire Humane Society is scheduled to undergo life-saving surgery.
In a news release sent to 22News from the MSPCA, Ekko is a four-month-old Pit Bull Terrier mix who has severe pulmonary valve stenosis, a condition that could result in congestive heart failure. It was discovered after he was transferred from the Pittsfield animal shelter to the MSPCA-Angell's care on March 21st.
Dakin Humane Society in Springfield awarded large grant for facility upgrade
'Ekko came to us from Berkshire Humane [Society], one of our MASS partners,' explained Vice President of the MSPCA-Angell's Animal Protection Division, Mike Keiley. 'He had a 5/6 heart murmur, so it was clear he needed advanced care that's really hard to get in that area.'
To save his life, Angell Animal Medical Center in Boston will perform a balloon valvuloplasty to allow for normal blood flow on Wednesday. The procedure is expected to cost more than $10,000. If you would like to donate, visit
'There are risks associated with the surgery, as there are with any surgery, but forgoing the procedure is like leaving a ticking time bomb in Ekko's chest,' said Keiley. 'He'll be in the best possible hands at Angell—from the skilled surgeons to the experienced anesthesiologists and the amazing support staff needed for monitoring.'
Ekko will be available for adoption following his recovery.
WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
