Brutus' Medical Expenses

Gastric dilation volvulus (commonly known as “bloat” or GDV) is a terrifying medical condition threatening mainly deep-chested dog breeds. Imagine your stomach “flipping,” or becoming so distended by gas that it essentially feels as though tied in a knot. Vomiting ensues, and death is a certainty absent immediate medical intervention. Even with surgery, some 15-35% of dogs lose their lives to the condition. If you’re a dog-parent with an at-risk breed, it’s a nightmare that hovers in the back of your mind.

This is what happened last week to Brutus, the handsome Great Pyrenees, man-about-Montrose, and beloved fur-baby to equally-beloved Catbirds bartender Liberty Rivera.

Fortunately, Liberty rushed Brutus to the emergency vet, sent him into surgery, and after an observation period he was released and returned home, where he is recovering while surely being leered at and doted upon by his family in such as a way as a dog of his regal stature would be accustomed.

Unfortunately, Liberty is now faced with the follow-up punch provided by GDV: The surgery is very expensive.

This is not posted by Liberty or anyone in her family, but by her local friends, fellow pet-owners or otherwise, who empathize with the weight of facing a choice between a huge vet bill and a lost life. Liberty chose the former, and we want to help mitigate the burden.