From Struggle to Triumph: Mary Jane Barker’s Inspiring Journey and the Vital Importance of Spaying

Last week, an extraordinary tale unfolded when our dedicated partners at St. Louis County Animal Control discovered an abandoned dog on the side of the road in a storage container, covered in fleas and barely responsive. With swift action, they rushed her to APA Olivette, where our dedicated veterinary and animal care team immediately sprang into action. 

Upon her arrival, our team discovered she had been suffering from a uterine infection known as pyometra. Dr. Erhlich, Veterinarian at APA, expressed, “It was clear from Mary Jane Barker’s physical state and bloodwork results that she had been suffering for at least several days. She likely would not have survived if she hadn’t been found and brought in when she was by St. Louis County Animal Control.” 

In a true display of teamwork and dedication, several of APA’s remarkable team members joined forces to perform an emergency pyometra surgery. This life-saving intervention has become pivotal in Mary Jane’s miraculous journey. 

It’s essential to recognize that pyometra, a condition entirely preventable through spaying, continues to pose a significant risk to unspayed female dogs. Mary Jane Barker’s story is a reminder that the importance of spaying or neutering your pet cannot be overstated. It slows population growth, curbs undesirable hormone-related behaviors, and reduces health risks. Spaying and neutering your pets is also financially beneficial as the cost of caring for future litters can be very expensive. 

For those seeking resources to spay or neuter their pets, we recommend contacting the Carol House Quick Fix Pet Clinic at https://stlspayneuter.org/.  

And now, the heartwarming update we’ve all been waiting for: Mary Jane Barker’s transformation is remarkable, as shown in the picture here.  

We are thrilled to share that Mary Jane Barker is now ready to embark on a new chapter in a new home. Thanks to a generous donor her adoption fee is waived.