Digby the Chocolate Lab Get Well Fund
Donation protected
Our beautiful boy Digby (full name Sir Digby Chicken Caesar) became very ill suddenly on Monday night 4/21. It started with coughing, vomiting, labored breathing, and lethargy - very uncharacteristic for our 3-4 year old, healthy and happy boy.
Within minutes, we rushed him to NorCal Emergency Veterinary Hospital in Daly City where he was found to be in critical condition and going into shock. They got him on IV fluids, did a blood plasma transfusion, x-rays, pain medication, anti-nausea, vitamin K, and ran tests. By morning, the emergency team had gotten him to be stable and more comfortable. His blood was not clotting well so they ran an ultrasound and continue to monitor his blood and signs.
The prognosis right now is inconclusive, but he has shown some improvement. The ultrasound ruled out a mass of any sort, which is good. They still haven't figured out what it is is, but assume it's a toxin of some sort (rat poison, mushroom, etc..). Whereas last night his blood was barely clotting it's now improved, but still not great, and still guarded. He's currently receiving another platelet transfusion amongst other meds, IV's, vitamin K (antidote for poison). He's stable for now and seems more comfortable, but they'll still have him for at least another day trying to figure it out what's going on and trying to fix it. Not out of the woods yet and he needs to stay strong and pull through this mess.
His blood clotting abiity has improved by half, which means he's responding to treatment. More tests went out tonight and they should have results in the morning.
Time has been critical in all of our decision-making and actions and we opted for aggressive treatment right away as he appeared to be deteriorating so quickly. In a case like this, the first 12-24 hours are critical. We are hoping that we can find out what is wrong quickly and get him on the road to recovery.
In less than 24 hours, we have spent over $6,000 on his care. We never want the welfare of our pets to be about money, but the reality is that these treatments are very expensive and he needed a lot done, fast. And the costs are still rising.
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Digby's story:
We learned about Digby in 2012 through Rocket Dog Rescue, who saved him from shelter in Contra Costa County, CA, within hours of of his "due out" (euthanisation) time, thanks to some very caring individuals who jumped through hoops to get him out. We immediately fell in love with his goofy face and became his foster parents on December 16. He fit in so well with our "pack" of 3 cats and 3 dogs, that it was clear that we would make him a permanent member or our family. Every day that we have had him with us has been an absoulute joy. He loves everyone he meets, and is a neighborhood fixture. He's even featured in the 2013 Rocket Dog Rescue calendar as Mr. September and has quite the fan club!
We don't know his exact age or background, but he is about 3-4 years old, and has the typical lab traits of loving food, tennis balls, and most of all, being right at our sides.
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We want more than anything for him to have more days of happy romping, riding in the car, and playing with his three "sisters".
We'd be grateful for anything you can spare. everything helps and would be appreciated.
Thank you,
Liz & Charles & Digby
The prognosis right now is inconclusive, but he has shown some improvement. The ultrasound ruled out a mass of any sort, which is good. They still haven't figured out what it is is, but assume it's a toxin of some sort (rat poison, mushroom, etc..). Whereas last night his blood was barely clotting it's now improved, but still not great, and still guarded. He's currently receiving another platelet transfusion amongst other meds, IV's, vitamin K (antidote for poison). He's stable for now and seems more comfortable, but they'll still have him for at least another day trying to figure it out what's going on and trying to fix it. Not out of the woods yet and he needs to stay strong and pull through this mess.
His blood clotting abiity has improved by half, which means he's responding to treatment. More tests went out tonight and they should have results in the morning.
Time has been critical in all of our decision-making and actions and we opted for aggressive treatment right away as he appeared to be deteriorating so quickly. In a case like this, the first 12-24 hours are critical. We are hoping that we can find out what is wrong quickly and get him on the road to recovery.
In less than 24 hours, we have spent over $6,000 on his care. We never want the welfare of our pets to be about money, but the reality is that these treatments are very expensive and he needed a lot done, fast. And the costs are still rising.
*********************************************************************
Digby's story:
We learned about Digby in 2012 through Rocket Dog Rescue, who saved him from shelter in Contra Costa County, CA, within hours of of his "due out" (euthanisation) time, thanks to some very caring individuals who jumped through hoops to get him out. We immediately fell in love with his goofy face and became his foster parents on December 16. He fit in so well with our "pack" of 3 cats and 3 dogs, that it was clear that we would make him a permanent member or our family. Every day that we have had him with us has been an absoulute joy. He loves everyone he meets, and is a neighborhood fixture. He's even featured in the 2013 Rocket Dog Rescue calendar as Mr. September and has quite the fan club!
We don't know his exact age or background, but he is about 3-4 years old, and has the typical lab traits of loving food, tennis balls, and most of all, being right at our sides.
**********************************************************************
We want more than anything for him to have more days of happy romping, riding in the car, and playing with his three "sisters".
We'd be grateful for anything you can spare. everything helps and would be appreciated.
Thank you,
Liz & Charles & Digby
Organizer
Liz Smith
Organizer
San Francisco, CA
