Sweetie's Scary Emergency Vet Visit

Sweetie is one of the newest members of the Lucky Dog family, thanks to a happenstance wandering into one of our foster's back yards. Though we don't know how long she was out in the elements and she was wearing a collar, she was covered with ticks and didn't have any ID on her. In spite of being lost and within her right to be completely terrified, Sweetie earned her name on account of her super sweet disposition, and curious enthusiasm for life. Lucky for Sweetie, our foster took her in as a good Samaritan act, cleaned her up, pulled over 40 ticks from her body, gave her a warm bed, food, treats, and lots of love. Then she set out to find out where she belonged.


After weeks of flyering, checking with local shelters, visiting vets, and relying on local Lost & Found Dog resources in an attempt to find Sweetie's family, it became apparent that Sweetie's story was taking a different turn from wherever it began. We don't know much about Sweetie's story pre-Lucky Dog, but we can gather that she wasn't very well cared for in her life before she set foot in her new foster's backyard. But now she is a Lucky Dog, in our care, and on her way to a new beginning.


We got her started on a vaccine series, and Sweetie was set to get spayed today. Unfortunately, her spay is now being pushed back on account of that curious enthusiasm that we find so endearing. Sweetie had been prescribed some Rimadyl to recover from her upcoming surgery, which was stowed in her foster's purse in the closet. Having stepped away from Sweetie for a short 5 minutes to take a call, Sweetie's foster came back to discover that Sweetie had gone exploring, and gotten into the pills. All of them were gone, and while our Lucky Pup seemed undaunted, her foster knew this was bad news and immediately called to find out what to do. 


15 lb Sweetie had consumed a highly toxic amount of medicine, which for a dog her size could result in kidney failure and be fatal. Because her foster acted quickly and brought her straight into the emergency vet, things look promising for our adventure girl. She will be there for 72 hours of receiving careful observation and lots of fluids. And because she is a Lucky Dog, we are there to make sure she gets the care she needs for what could otherwise be a fatal mishap, whatever the cost. For us, that now means a $2,500 bill, and a sleepless night for her foster who spent the night at the emergency vet with her.


Those of us who have adopted or fostered a dog know that taking our eyes off our pup for one second can result in mischievous acts. In most cases it's something harmless, though a bit exasperating, and usually makes for an after-the-fact funny story for those who hear about it. A chewed roll of paper towels you left on the floor from a previous puppy mess. Somehow getting into the flour on the kitchen table and making a mess of himself and the floor. The treat bag from your most recent pet shopping trip being broken into while you were putting groceries away (resulting in perhaps a tummy ache but with no other major consequences). In this case, it was terrifying for her foster and all of us in the Lucky Dog family, but we are so grateful that she acted quickly and got her the care she needed in time. 


Sweetie stumbled into a new lucky life, but she needs a little more luck now. Please donate to her care and help us cover this very expensive vet visit, here on the Critical Care Blog, or at http://www.luckydoganimalrescue.org/donate/donate-online to get Sweetie well and ready for her forever home!