Bela and Elle need a second miracle!

Béla and Elle Need Your Help

Béla is a lovable four year old rescue pup who Elle adopted at eight weeks old. The two have been inseparable ever since. Béla recently survived a fatal disease against all odds. A miracle! But miracles don’t come cheap in the veterinary world these days.

Worse yet, due to a technicality in fine print, Elle’s pet insurance will pay nothing. (PETS BEST)

Béla’s most conscientious and loving owner, Elle, quit her remote job in the spring and decided to spend the summer visiting her family in Vermont and Pennsylvania while job hunting. She drove cross country so that Béla could travel with her. In August, while in the mountains of northern Pennsylvania, Béla became noticeably sick. Vets suggested dietary changes and rest. When there was no improvement, Elle took Béla to the nearest hospital with the expectation that they would return home with antibiotics for parasites. Barton Heights Veterinary Hospital in northern Pennsylvania ruled this out and instead came back with blood work that indicated Béla was in kidney failure. Béla was then referred to Valley Central Referral Center in Fullerton Pennsylvania, where there was a team of specialists. There they said Béla had a congenital kidney malformation that was unlike anything they had ever seen. Valley Central then referred her to UPenn Vet because they felt they did not have enough expertise for Béla’s condition and they knew Elle had “very good" pet insurance. As an afterthought, Valley Central administered a Leptospirosis test before they headed to PennVet, which came back positive. Elle then drove Béla to University of Pennsylvania Veterinary Hospital, Advanced Urinary Care, where she remained for a full week.

Béla was diagnosed with acute kidney failure and severe kidney damage caused by Leptospirosis. She received 8 days of world class ICU care, with antibiotics, IVs, and the works. The doctors were not optimistic that she would live, but Béla pulled through against all odds.

Elle put all the expenses on her credit card and sent the bills to Pets Best thinking that her “Best Benefit Plan” would provide at least some reimbursement. To her amazement, they informed her that none of Béla’s care would be covered.

Béla now has permanent kidney damage which requires prescription food, regular lab tests, and frequent vet visits. None of these expenses will be eligible for insurance, as they are now classified as treatment for a“pre-existing condition”. Vets are also unsure of how this damage will affect Béla’s lifespan, but she currently seems to be functioning well enough.

Elle has since found a job, but is still unable to cover this large expense in addition to paying her student loans. She cannot afford $12000 worth of debt + credit card interest. We are asking family, friends, and animal lovers to give Elle and Béla help with these astronomical medical expenses.

Let’s go for two miracles.