- M
UPDATE: On March 24 at 4pm, Breadstick took his final breath. He was in my arms as it happened, and it was peaceful. Please see my most recent update for all information on the deterioration of his condition, why this decision was made, and what the funds will be used for.
Thank you, and goodbye my sweet boy.
—
Hi friends, it’s so incredibly difficult for me to ask for something so monumental, but I need your help. As many of you know, my puppy Breadstick (legal name Riker) was diagnosed in October with what’s called a portosystemic liver shunt; this means that instead of his body running blood through his liver, the blood bypasses his liver completely. Because of this, any proteins and toxins that would normally be filtered by the liver are continuously pumped through his body, heart, and brain. He started showing these symptoms in October at 10 weeks old, and thanks to many of you, we were able to pay for his diagnostic tests and get him started on medications and a prescription diet. (Link to previous GoFundMe here: https://www.gofundme.com/breadsticks-medical-fund)
These diagnostic tests showed he is a viable candidate for surgery to correct the shunt and reroute the blood through his liver, we just had to wait for him to be old enough. Unfortunately despite the medications and diet, toxins have continued to build in his body. On Sunday, March 21, I found Breadstick in a state of convulsions and extreme disorientation and rushed him back to DoveLewis. The ammonia build up in his body is severe, and the hospital has decided to keep him for at least two nights to try to stabilize his condition.
At the time of writing this, the vet has last updated me that his condition is starting to improve, but his body is having a hard time flushing the toxins despite their best efforts. He is still needing help to stand on his own and is struggling to remain aware while awake.
The doctors believe he’ll be stabilized by tomorrow, but it’s time to schedule surgery. He’s at the minimum operable size, but waiting any longer poses immense risks to Breadstick’s life, and without this surgery he has very little time left. I hate to ask for so much from my community, but I know this seven month old puppy means nearly as much to many of you as he does to me. He truly is my best friend, and I need to exhaust every option to give him a long and healthy life.
I’ve attached photos of all receipts dating back to his first diagnostic tests in October, as well as his most recent hospital documentation, and the low and high end surgery estimate I received this morning. Please, if you have anything at all to spare, please help me save this sweet, smart, and happy baby boy. He’s improved my life so much in the short time we’ve had together, I’d love to give him the opportunity to have a long and healthy life by my side.
The high-end estimate of his surgery is $8,100. I’m hoping it will be less than this, but it does include a CT scan to identify what vessels need rerouting, the surgery itself, and two to three days of post-operation hospitalization. DoveLewis has done so many favors for me over the months of cutting down my costs and just generally taking such wonderful care of my sweet boy. Emergency care is expensive, but I’m so beyond thankful for this incredible crew of doctors and technicians who truly love my dog.
Thank you for taking the time to read this. I’ll continue to update as I hear more on his condition tonight and in the coming days, as well as any surgery information I’m given from this point on.
I appreciate the outpouring of love and support from this community more than I can even begin to explain.
With all the love and gratitude in my heart,
Ryley and Breadstick (Riker)
EDIT 10pm: I was reminded of the fees GoFundMe takes from your total amount, and so I’ve adjusted my request from 8,000 to $8,600 to account for a portion of the fees while still being able to cover the high-end estimate. I’m so sorry to make this adjustment now. Thank you so much for your generosity so far, I’m so incredibly thankful.
——
Hospital documentation from oldest to newest. Surgery estimate is very last photo.
Thank you, and goodbye my sweet boy.
—
Hi friends, it’s so incredibly difficult for me to ask for something so monumental, but I need your help. As many of you know, my puppy Breadstick (legal name Riker) was diagnosed in October with what’s called a portosystemic liver shunt; this means that instead of his body running blood through his liver, the blood bypasses his liver completely. Because of this, any proteins and toxins that would normally be filtered by the liver are continuously pumped through his body, heart, and brain. He started showing these symptoms in October at 10 weeks old, and thanks to many of you, we were able to pay for his diagnostic tests and get him started on medications and a prescription diet. (Link to previous GoFundMe here: https://www.gofundme.com/breadsticks-medical-fund)
These diagnostic tests showed he is a viable candidate for surgery to correct the shunt and reroute the blood through his liver, we just had to wait for him to be old enough. Unfortunately despite the medications and diet, toxins have continued to build in his body. On Sunday, March 21, I found Breadstick in a state of convulsions and extreme disorientation and rushed him back to DoveLewis. The ammonia build up in his body is severe, and the hospital has decided to keep him for at least two nights to try to stabilize his condition.
At the time of writing this, the vet has last updated me that his condition is starting to improve, but his body is having a hard time flushing the toxins despite their best efforts. He is still needing help to stand on his own and is struggling to remain aware while awake.
The doctors believe he’ll be stabilized by tomorrow, but it’s time to schedule surgery. He’s at the minimum operable size, but waiting any longer poses immense risks to Breadstick’s life, and without this surgery he has very little time left. I hate to ask for so much from my community, but I know this seven month old puppy means nearly as much to many of you as he does to me. He truly is my best friend, and I need to exhaust every option to give him a long and healthy life.
I’ve attached photos of all receipts dating back to his first diagnostic tests in October, as well as his most recent hospital documentation, and the low and high end surgery estimate I received this morning. Please, if you have anything at all to spare, please help me save this sweet, smart, and happy baby boy. He’s improved my life so much in the short time we’ve had together, I’d love to give him the opportunity to have a long and healthy life by my side.
The high-end estimate of his surgery is $8,100. I’m hoping it will be less than this, but it does include a CT scan to identify what vessels need rerouting, the surgery itself, and two to three days of post-operation hospitalization. DoveLewis has done so many favors for me over the months of cutting down my costs and just generally taking such wonderful care of my sweet boy. Emergency care is expensive, but I’m so beyond thankful for this incredible crew of doctors and technicians who truly love my dog.
Thank you for taking the time to read this. I’ll continue to update as I hear more on his condition tonight and in the coming days, as well as any surgery information I’m given from this point on.
I appreciate the outpouring of love and support from this community more than I can even begin to explain.
With all the love and gratitude in my heart,
Ryley and Breadstick (Riker)
EDIT 10pm: I was reminded of the fees GoFundMe takes from your total amount, and so I’ve adjusted my request from 8,000 to $8,600 to account for a portion of the fees while still being able to cover the high-end estimate. I’m so sorry to make this adjustment now. Thank you so much for your generosity so far, I’m so incredibly thankful.
——
Hospital documentation from oldest to newest. Surgery estimate is very last photo.