A Life Nearly Lost: Lola's Story

A phone call can change a life. That’s what happened with little 7-month-old, Lola. She was the product of a backyard breeder. This puppy was brought into the world for profit, with complete lack of regard for her health or future. Passed around multiple times on Facebook, Lola lived with massive diarrhea, lack of appetite and obvious genetic issues that involved her eyes. She is a purebred Cocker Spaniel puppy and only weighs a mere 8lbs. She was suffering horribly. Over the weekend of August 20th, 2017, Lola changed owners 4 times in one day until a lady called Critter Crusaders for help. Lola was placed into Fur Fun rescue on Monday August 21st and under the medical care of Critter Crusaders of Cedar Rapids, a 501C3 that provides and guides advanced medical care for homeless shelter and rescue pets. Little did we know that Lola was in critical condition. Her body was shutting down. Shortly after coming to rescue, we realized that this puppy could not eat, couldn't move and was critically ill. She was rushed her to our vet partners at IVRC in Des Moines where she was admitted through the emergency service. After diagnostic x-rays, ultrasounds and lab work, Dr. Brent Reimer, a board-certified surgeon at IVRC was called. Lola had a condition called Intussesception, a condition of the intestines that cause them to telescope, crimp and inflame in abnormal positions, causing multiple intestinal obstruction. Lola was in big trouble. At 7 months of age, Lola went into major abdominal surgery Wednesdat evening August 23rd. This was a major effort to save her life. Over the following 24 hours post-surgery, Lola struggled. Things were not progressing well. She remained anorexic and dull. A little drink of water caused a major regurgitation. Then overnight Thursday into Friday, the great critical care specialists, surgeons and the ER doctors got a piece of information that helped them explain all that was happening with Lola's body. EPI. Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency. A problem within the pancreas that does not produce the pre-digestive enzymes required to assist in the breakdown of food into usable proteins and fat. A big smoking gun! This explains the anorexia, low body weight, weakness, lethargy and Intussusception.
Lola was started on a supplement that when placed onto her food, breaks it down for digestion as she eats, allowing her body to properly absorb all of the nutrients required for life.

Lola has a long way to go in this process. She continues to be hospitalized in the critical care unit. She is at risk for infection, low blood sugar, electrolyte disturbances but a bit earlier today .... she ate a meal. This was a huge milestone for a puppy that was in the process of slowly dying as many people watched helplessly on Facebook until one lady called Critter Crusaders for help.
We now ask for your support. Together, we can change the lives of these animals who become human afterthoughts. Bad people fail animals and good people save them. Lola deserves her happy ending and Critter Crusader will not fail her.

Please consider a donation towards her extensive medical care through this Go Fund Me page or to Critter Crusaders of Cedar Rapids, PO Box 10111 Cedar Rapids, IA 52410-0111 or go to www.CritterCrusadersCR.org. 100% of your tax-deductible donation will go directly to Lola's care. EIN 26-2821920. We thank you so much on behalf of this puppy. Please continue to watch for updates on Lola. We are on this medical journey together for a valuable life that was almost lost. ❤️