Local rescue dog to undergo critical surgery

A local Search and Rescue dog is set to undergo surgery Friday after a grass seed made its way into his lungs and causing a serious infection. 

Zuko, 4 1/2, is the only certified search and rescue dog with the Boundary Search and Dive Rescue Team. He is slated to undergo a thoracotomy procedure — a surgical procedure involving treatment of diseases connected to the heart, lungs, or other structures in the chest — on Friday, Feb. 7. 

Thanks to antibiotics and veterinary care, officials said the infection is under control. The thoracotomy procedure is being done to remove the seed and assess what any other damage the seed may have caused. 

Zuko and his handler, Ava Wion, have been with the rescue team since February 2022 and taken part in numerous searches for missing people in Boundary County. The pair are certified in search and rescue tracking by the American Society of Canine Trainers International and maintain yearly recertification.        

BSDRT officials said Zuko fell ill Tuesday, Jan. 28 and with being a high-drive working dog, Zuko showed no signs of illness until he simply could not hide it any longer. After thorough testing and a CT scan by a veterinarian, a grass seed in his right lung was determined to have caused a major infection.  

The estimate for the thoracotomy procedure is $13,000. The surgery is being covered by an organization called Spike’s K9 Fund. This organization has also donated K9 Zuko’s custom fit Kevlar search vest, his trauma kit, and GPS collar. Spike’s K9 Fund has already paid $4,500 for the testing Zuko has undergone. 

Wion is looking to help Spike’s K9 Fund cover the cost of the surgery and repay them for all of their help and support.  

Zuko is expected to recover completely and be able to return to work within several months. 

To donate to Spike’s Fund to help Zuko, go online to donate.spikesk9fund.org/k9zuko.  

Spike’s K9 Fund is dedicated to protecting the nation’s working dogs by providing custom-fit ballistic vests, protective equipment, medical cost assistance, and access to top-of-the-line training programs.  

Boundary Search & Dive Rescue Team is a non-profit volunteer organization which operates under the authority of the Boundary County Sheriff’s Office. Over the years, members have assisted the sheriff’s office with searches for lost hikers, hunters, water rescues and recoveries. BSDRT’s purpose is to provide a well trained and equipped search and rescue force to support Boundary County in the event of a search or other emergency.  

    BSDRT K9 Zuko