Arrowhead Animal Rescue
Update On Bucky September 29, 2025
An update on Bucky. As you are aware, Bucky was an abandoned Beagle puppy who arrived at AAR with a distended stomach. He was being treated at Lake County Veterinary Clinic, who contacted the University of Minnesota Veterinary Medical Center. Bucky was diagnosed with a hepatic arteriovenous malformation in his liver. This caused fluid to leak from the vessels in his liver into his abdomen. To relieve this pressure, Bucky needed to undergo abdominocentesis every three weeks, which turned out not to be sustainable. A potential cure was surgery to block these vessels. However, we were cautioned that the surgery might not be successful. Bucky underwent the procedure on January 9, 2025, and the results were promising. Bucky appeared comfortable for a few months.
Unfortunately, despite our efforts and those of the University, Bucky’s abdomen began to refill with fluid again. A second procedure was recommended, and he underwent a second procedure on July 10, 2025. If this second procedure failed to work, we were informed that there was nothing else we could do. Unfortunately, his abdomen began to fill with fluid again, so a decision had to be made to humanely euthanized him on September 18th. He fought valiantly for a good life, and was given the utmost in human and veterinary care. We are so grateful to people such as yourselves who contributed funds for his veterinary care and made his life as good as possible. He touched the hearts of a lot of people, and in doing so, made us all a little closer. Thank you all so much for being a part of Bucky’s life.
Sincerely,
Arrowhead Animal Rescue
Barbara Backlund, Chair, Dale Peterson, Vice-Chair
Pat Campanero, Secretary, Mary Alyce Kronzer, Treasurer, And the rest of the AAR team
Hello, my name is BUCKY
Here's my story...
Bucky's Story
Bucky was a 14 week old Beagle, found abandoned up on the Cramer Rd in Schroeder, MN. After a search for his owners he was brought to the Lake County Veterinary Clinic where they contacted AAR and his care was then transferred to our rescue group. There were clear signs that something was not right with his abdomen, as his stomach was very distended (swollen outward).
When Bucky's abdomen became significantly more distended, he was brought to the Blue Pearl Animal Hospital in Duluth where he was referred to go the cities. It was recommended that he have a CT scan to see what the issue was.
After a CT scan was done, we were told it was 'Hepatic Venus Arterial Malformation' (a condition where the vessels in the liver are twisted and knotted together so blood flow is limited. This created high blood pressure on one side of the liver vs the other and created fluid buildup in the abdomen). There was no cure for it. After his diagnosis, LCVC contacted The University of Minnesota Veterinary School and talked to a Cardiologist who recommended an "Embolization" be done. An Embolization is a procedure where they fill the vessels with "Onix" which is supposed to help plug the vessels so that new ones can be created. Once discovering this procedure, AAR did fundraising to help fund the procedure and after an amazing turn out and some amazing people, we raised enough money for Bucky's surgery.
After about 2 1/2 months after the procedure, his belly began to swell again. Another CT scan showed that instead of growing new vessels the old vessels began to grow bigger. It was recommended he have a second procedure done.
After his second procedure, another 2 months went by when it was determined that the second procedure did not work. Shortly thereafter Bucky started showing signs of feeling ill and developed Hepatic Encephalopathy. He was then euthanized.
