Urgent Surgery for Buddy
This little “Peanut” was brought into a veterinary clinic where one of our fosters rents space as a rehab veterinarian. The owner told the veterinarian that he “was given Peanut three months earlier as a gift”. Peanut was unable to walk, in pain, terrified, but very sweet and docile. The owner stated that his roommate went on a rampage and beat Peanut, aggressively punching him multiple times. This is an 8 lbs., 2 year old dog. Felony charges have been filed against the roommate.
Peanut had severe neurologic deficits: proprioceptive deficits in both rear limbs and left front limb, a hairline fracture on his pelvis, and general pain. This poor boy was unable to walk without significant assistance. He would take two steps and completely fall to his side, unable to get up. Peanut was shaking in pain and fear, but he licked his new vet friends and crawled in their laps for safety. He was so thankful to be somewhere he felt safe.
Peanut’s owner was unable to provide any financial support to help with treatment, diagnosis, or even general healthcare, so he surrendered him to Take Paws Rescue. When scanned, this boy’s microchip was related to an entirely different owner. Take Paws Rescue contacted this previous owner, who finally responded after 36 hours. This sweet baby’s name was actually Buddy! She admitted that Buddy had gotten out a few times, was mainly an outside pet, and that he even ended up in her local shelter, where he stayed for a month!!! POOR GUY! She had no evidence (or veterinarian for us to contact) to show that she had EVER vetted him and the only care he received was at the shelter where he was vaccinated, neutered, and chipped. The shelter made her “readopt” him! But her lack of care and neglect continued and Buddy once again escaped in January. (Which lines up with the timing the second owner was “given him as a gift”.) Needless to say, she surrendered him as well, because she did not have the ability to care for him.
We knew with Buddy's symptoms that spinal cord injury was likely. A specialist prescribed strict kennel rest and steroids along with pain meds to attempt conservative therapy. He said that if significant changes didn’t occur in 72 hours to recheck and consider a cat scan. Buddy improved slightly as far as neurologic deficits were concerned, but his pain became worse each day. He cried out randomly (likely due to the spinal chord trauma present). When Buddy did not improve, a cat scan was preformed. Buddy has a cervical extruded disk (C4-C5). The vet recommends surgical spinal cord decompression by ventrical slot.
His prognosis is excellent. With surgery, Buddy will recover and have a wonderful life.
We need your help! This is an expensive surgery, but even with a rescue rate, we need to quickly raise $2500 to help Buddy. He cannot live with this injury and this pain. There is no good alternative. This darling dog will have to be put to sleep without this surgery.
This boy has been repeatedly let down by humans and severely abused. Buddy is such a special dog. He is nothing but pure sweetness. His first owner neglected him and his second owner did not protect Buddy from severe physical abuse. Neither of them provided any veterinary care. Yet, Buddy shows no resentment or anger towards people; he only want to be held and snuggle but that is what he does. He is also completely house trained, good with dogs and kids. He approaches everyone with love. Please consider donating to Buddy's surgery fund. He is worth saving.
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