Comet’s Vet Bills

On December 7, 2018, my best friend/my dog, Comet, suffered a traumatic accident by jumping off a building. Thanks to the the heroic efforts of South Lake Tahoe police department, Sierra Veterinary Hospital in South Lake Tahoe, and Sierra Vererinary Specialists in Reno, he was saved. He was in the ICU for a week with internal bleeding, a collapsed lung, bruised heart, fractured femur, and fractured lower spine. The lung, heart, and bleeding all resolved themselves, allowing him to undergo a successful femur surgery. We opted to allow the spine to heal itself since he retained full mobility. We were able to take him home on December 14th, and it was one of the most relieving, happiest days of my life. 

Above is a photo of my partner, Comet, our best friend, and I with the South Lake Tahoe police department taken the Friday we took Comet home. They are heroes. 

Recovery has been a steady but long road. Comet is now walking without support, and can wag his tail and lightly play (with supervision, of course)! However, there have also been complications.  He had to go to the vet every other day for 4 weeks after the trauma to bandage and clean a deep necrotic leg wound. He needs physical therapy, which includes home exercises/massages as well as 6-8 appointments with a trained professional and a water tank. He needs X-rays at least every 4-6 weeks. Most recently, he had bladder crystals and sediment blocking his urethra that needed to be drained with a catheter. This treatment and diagnosis includes X-rays and an ultrasound, another round of antibiotics, a special diet, blood tests, a urinalysis, and a urine culture. 

His stay in the ICU and treatment exceeded $10,000. With help from friends, family, and strangers across the US donating directly to the hospital, our overall take-home bill was less than $7,500. It was an incredible help and the love and support got us through the most traumatic experiences of our lives. My little buddy wouldn’t be here without it, and I’m deeply grateful from the bottom of my heart. 

The post-ICU bills plus the PT treatment add up to ~$3,000. This includes life-saving treatment for the crystals in his urethra and bladder, treatment for the necrotic wound, and much needed physical therapy to ensure that he can walk and run normally again. He will need X-rays in the future for his femur, as well as a CT scan in 6 months for his spine. 

Comet and I do absolutely everything together. We camp, backpack, snuggle, eat, drink, and play together. He’s my best friend, my baby, and I can’t fathom life without him. As a grad student, it’s been difficult for me to afford his treatment, but with the support of friends, family, and incredible strangers, we’re trying to make it through. My dad, who has been footing the bill for most of Comet’s recovery, has been absolutely incredible, but is currently trying to pay for his own treatment for radiation therapy for Stage IV cancer. I’d like to ease the burden on him as much as possible. 

I would deeply appreciate any support to help us with Comet’s road to recovery. Thank you so much.