Lily was taken to VCA hospital in Los Angeles last night on an emergency as her heart rate reached a rate of 80-100 beats per minute. She could not breathe or catch her breath. Once administered, they rushed her to an oxygen tank and began emergency medication treatment on her. However, this morning, she cannot leave the tank as her body can not acclimate to the outside oxygen. The doctors & nurses are doing everything possible to make her comfortable and bring her out of the tank. This includes an increased round of steroids and bronchial dilators to her lungs to open the airways. Fingers crossed, this will do the trick. This is the most immediate that needs to be done for her, and fingers crossed, come home and open all these Christmas presents for her.




This is step one of Lily's recovery process. In November, Lily was diagnosed last month with pulmonary hypertension in her heart, a secondary disease from something causing it in her lungs. Over the past 18 months, we have been working to figure out what has been causing her shortness of breath, coughing, and exercise intolerance. What started late 2018 as "allergies" has spun out of control into this. After working with several hospitals, countless procedures, x rays, and medications, we have arrived at the amazing internal specialist at one of the country's best hospitals, the VCA animal medical hospital in Los Angeles. 

With amazing support from the Westie Lung Foundation, its leaders, and Lily's current staff of doctors, we have narrowed down a small percentage of things that could be causing pulmonary hypertension in her lungs.

We were preparing for a CTI scan on January 5th to pinpoint what was going on in the lungs. The previous bronchial flush & X-rays were not giving us any results. 




Using the knowledge from all involved and based on the CTI scan findings, we plan to possibly move Lily into K-4 Laser treatment for several months to help with the lungs. Additional acupuncture and Flovent inhalers are also on our docket of supplemental aid for Lily. 

We have also been working with some amazing spiritual & reiki healers for her in America and overseas. 

Obviously, the most crucial thing is the next 48-72 hours and getting her home out of the oxygen tank, so she is comfortable to build her strength back up and continue forward. Lily just turned 5 and very young, sassy, and a fighter, so there is no doubt in my mind that she can beat this.

That being said, I've currently used up all of her ASPCA pet insurance this past year and have been going out of pocket since. At this point, the medical bills for her overnights in the hospital can range from $2,500 -$5,000 a day/night, depending on what she needs. 



The next several months will require dozens of laser treatments, medicines (She is currently on human-grade Cialis & prednisone) to help her heart pump, stop the inflammation in her lungs, and keep the heart's pressure down. The Cialis alone can range up to $2,000 a bottle. Luckily we have been using GOODRX which provides major discounts. However, her Flovent inhalers are $200 plus each, and to get them cheaper must be purchased from Canada. Obviously, she can't wait at this point for shipping, so they need to be purchased outright from the USA, which is way more expensive.  

We are also looking at experimental drugs tried on Westie dogs on the other side of the country, which has seen equally beneficial results as the K lasers. Since Lily can't fly due to her condition, it would require me to drive her cross country, and I'd be more than happy to do that. Again the cost of that will be high, and the trail drugs could be pricey. 

The last piece of the price is all of the additional tests we will have to do if the CTI does not work.



If your head is spinning, so is mine. I never in a million years thought I'd be writing one of these. I'm still waiting to wake up from this nightmare. Lily has been the love of my life for the last five years, and if you know her you know, she is with me 24/7 and has been not only the best Shiba Inu to me but family and friends and her tik tok family. Yes, she does tik tok, haha. 

I have 100 percent full faith in Lily making a 100 percent recovery, but we can't do it without you guys. The family she has created over these short 5 years is mind-blowing, and we could never thank you all enough. 

With all of this taken into consideration, we both understand how hard this past year has been on everyone. So even if you can donate a dollar it helps big time. I can't lose my best friend. If not, we understand, and spreading Lily's story, sending love, prayers, and good vibes are also a major plus. The outpour of love for her has been something I've never seen, and I am speechless, so thank you. And if you are stumbling across Lily's story, welcome to the family. We couldn't be happier to have you.



We have a long road ahead of us, but I would not pick a better companion to travel it with. Fingers crossed, and god willing, she makes a speedy recovery, and we won't need all of the money.

We aren't sure what the final amount of all this will be in the end, but we know that it is adding up astronomically every day, and at least this is a start as I am doing everything humanly possible I can do financially. Fingers crossed, we will not need anymore. ALSO, Any funds that aren't used for Lily's care will be donated across several platforms. The Westie Lung Foundation, the second to someone in need of help like us with their pet, and the third to a local animal shelter. 

We love you all, and thank you so much and taking the time to read Lily's story and be part of her life. We will keep you all updated on her progress and wish you and your loved ones the best Christmas and Happiest of New Years'. 

Lily needs to get better because we have a golf game scheduled on December 31st, and I need my caddy by my side to steal all my golf balls <3

-----Thank you to all the spiritual healers, doctors, the westie lung foundation, and nurses during this. Out of respect and privacy, we have left all unnamed.

And, of course, family, friends, and new family joining this journey.

xoxo 

Ryan & Lily.