We are Molson's Foster Friends, a small independent rescue pulling dogs at risk of euthanasia due to overcrowding from our local municipal shelter. We do not have a big network, and foster one dog at a time in our home and help them find their forever home, while working on training and getting them up to date on their medical care.

Emmy Lou is a young English bulldog mix who was found stray, estimated 2-3 years old. She was in heat when she came into care so we waited to do her spay surgery, but she has presented as a happy, healthy, strong and energetic girl, healthier and breathing better than a typical English bulldog, according to our vet.

Friday October 17th -Emmy Lou had a routine spay surgery. 24 hours after bringing her home, we began to get concerned with her anti-social behaviour, but she was still eating, drinking and going to the bathroom normally. The following morning, Emmy refused food, had accidents indoors and had a fever - we immediately rushed her to our closest 24 hour clinic - Campus Estates Animal Hospital.

Sunday October 19 - Emmy had bloodwork and an ultrasound, where she was diagnosed with pancreatitis, thought to be triggered by the anesthesia, post surgery anti-inflammatories, or the spay itself. She was put on an IV with antibiotics and a different painkiller, and was hospitalized. We were initially given an estimate of $3,364.01 for 2 days hospitalized (low end) or $4,845.96 for 3 days in hospital, knowing she may have to stay longer.

Tuesday October 21 - Around midnight on Tuesday, Emmy Lou's breathing became very laboured. She was given an ultrasound, x-ray, and it was determined she had fluid in her lungs. A chest tap was done that drained a 1/2 liter of fluid with white blood cells and bacteria - Emmy Lou has now developed pneumonia, and is on maximum oxygen that Campus Estates can provide. We have already incurred $4239.26, and the new estimate to stay hospitalized at Campus Estates is another $4,366.67 for an additional 4 days.

Pneumonia is very scary for any dog, but usually has a poor prognosis for brachycephalic breeds. It is recommended that she is transferred to the Ontario Veterinary College (OVC) to be with a Board Certified Lung Specialist, and have access to high flow oxygen, and a ventilator to help her breathe. Because she is struggling to breathe and will need more chest taps to remove fluid, her body cannot properly focus on healing, and we are worried she will decline.

Just entering OVC, without being put on a ventilator, will cost $5000-$7000.

Ventilator setup will be $2000-$3000, and additional $1000-1500/day after, without knowing how many days she would need to be there.

Although moving Emmy to OVC is her best shot, we expect it to cost $5,000 on the low end, realistically expecting $7,000 for a minimum of 4 day stay, on top of the $4300 we have already incurred and fundraised for.

We are asking for emergency help to continue to care for Emmy Lou, and hopefully get her into OVC for her best chance of recovery! $13,000 is a lot of money, but we would love to give our sweet girl the best chance we can get a recovery! Emmy was failed and dumped by her previous owners, and almost didn't make it out of the shelter due to lack of space. She is a young and sweet bulldog who has absolutely stolen our hearts in the past 2 months that we've known her, and deserves her happy ever after!

Please consider to donating to support Emmy Lou - her life depends on it!