Helped Animals

Meet Max!  Max is a young, mix breed dog who got into a little bit of trouble.  He ingested “Tomcat” mouse/rat killer, which is highly toxic to dogs.  The toxin in “Tomcat”, called bromethalin, causes severe neurologic disease. Typically, once signs like seizures, muscle tremors, and weakness set in, it is lethal. So, it is very important to decontaminate your patient if you are lucky enough to catch this ingestion soon after it happens.  Luckily, Max’s owners realized he had eaten this toxin within 10 minutes of him doing so. They rushed Max into the Animal ER in Littleton, Colorado, but needed help purchasing the injection that causes vomiting and the activated charcoal that he needed to absorb any toxin left in his system after vomiting. Max did great at the hospital, and so did his owners by rushing him into the ER right away!

Osita came in for her recheck and suture removal.  She is doing fabulous at home.  Dr. Lewis, her surgeon (pictured here) is excited to see her patient in full recovery!

Although this is not about saving a patient, I could not resist sharing how touched we are by the resilient spirit and generosity encountered in our clients.

GiGi was a well loved, black and white “tuxedo”, female kitty.  She was brought into the Animal ER after her owner found her unresponsive at home. We pulled out all of the stops, using every trick in the ER book to try and save GiGi.   GiGi’s “mom” rushed into the ER after hearing the news, but it took her about 1&1/2 hours to get there, as she was traveling from far away.  GiGi held on and was still alive when her “mom” got to the hospital.  There was a tearful reunion of GiGi and her “mom”, since they had not been together for several months. Not long after GiGi was surrounded by her family, she passed away.  We like to think that GiGi was hanging on for her “mom” to get there and say one last good-bye.

Despite the loss these owners had literally just suffered, they wanted to reach out and give back to the hospital.  When told about the Lupine Fund, they donated on the spot, through tears and hugs.   I was personally touched by their generosity in their most raw moment of grief.  To GiGi…

Wade, a very affectionate, big orange tabby came into the ER at Colorado Vet Specialists/Animal ER in Littleton, Colorado.  He had been vomiting and not eating well.  An abdominal ultrasound revealed pancreatitis and he was treated in the hospital.  Wade was such a trooper in the hospital, making “biscuits” and burrowing in his blankets.  He began to feel better and was eating after 2 days.

 However, that night, Wade began vomiting again.  A second look into his belly with the ultrasound showed that there was likely a piece of foreign material caught in his small intestine! Now, although Wade is a sweetheart, he does have a naughty streak and likes to chew on yoga mats. Emergency surgery was performed and a piece of rubber/plastic was found caught in his intestines. The reason this material was not seen on the original ultrasound is because it was floating in the stomach, not causing any obstruction at that time.  Since Wade had been in the hospital prior to his surgery, his medical bill’s were quite high.

We are happy to report that Wade is currently doing great!  Eating on his own, and back to making “biscuits” at home.

Meet Axel!    
Axel is a young, German Wire Haired Pointer who sustained a spinal cord injury about 1&1/2 years ago.  She has been going through rehabilitation, but is still unable to walk on her own.  She can take a few steps if she is not too excited, but likes to drag her hind end. She is strong and can stand on her own. She does take walks in her cart and loves to play with other dogs.  She also needs helps urinating, but has gotten used to this.

Axel’s owner is no longer able to care for her and she is in a very temporary foster home.  She has 2 weeks to find her second home before she is euthanized!

Whomever becomes her person needs to be willing to manage her special needs, including helping her urinate, protecting her skin on her hind limbs, helping her into her cart, helping her into standing, and continuing her rehabilitation.  This is a tall order, but we are desperately seeking someone to save this sweet girl! If you or any organization you know is interested in helping Axel, please visit the “contact me” page on this website.

Osita, a 9 year old terrier mix dog,  came into Colorado Veterinary Specialists/Animal ER, in Littleton CO in need of emergency surgery.  She had developed an inguinal hernia, a protrusion of abdominal contents through an opening in the body wall. Over the last 3 days Ostia had become increasingly sick.  She was not eating or drinking, and was vomiting.  There was concern that some of her intestine had become trapped within the hernia.  Despite feeling so poorly, Osita was extremely affectionate and sweet in the clinic.

Osita was rushed into emergency surgery.  The surgeon, Dr. Lewis, found a section of the small intestine trapped within the hernia.  The blood supply going to the trapped piece of intestine had been blocked off for some time, causing the trapped bowel to become devitalized.  Dr. Lewis had to remove this section of dying intestine. The hole in the abdominal wall was closed in order to prevent another hernia from developing in the future.

Osita recovered remarkably well.  She began eating the next day and was walking outside too!  Osita has since made a full recovery and was reunited with her family 2 days after her life-saving surgery.