Help Mojo Heal: Dog vs Sandwich Skewer

On Monday, July 7th, Mojo decided to help himself to a Club Sandwich. Unfortunately, he also ate the sandwich picks that were holding the sandwich together. He immediately showed signs of distress, so we rushed him to the Pet ER @ Blue Pearl in Christiana. After 7 hours, we were told they couldn’t provide the care he needed and sent us to Pinnacle Veterinary Specialists and Emergency Vet (https://pinnacle.vet). We arrived at Pinnacle around 2:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 8th.

Pinnacle was prompt and thorough. They admitted Mojo in order to perform a CT scan to see if they could locate the missing sandwich picks. In our hours of waiting and talking, our best guess is that there could be up to 6 picks! There were 2 picks remaining in the quarter of the sandwich that Mojo didn't devour. We had no idea—were there 2 picks in each quarter? Were there the normal 1 in each quarter and the remaining quarter just happened to be mis-skewed? So scary, and watching Mojo’s distress has been so emotional.

Once the Dr. was able to sedate Mojo, they performed a thorough examination of his mouth and throat area. They found that there was a large toothpick actually sticking up through his larynx into his soft palate! The Drs. were able to pull it out, which immediately helped with his breathing. They proceeded with the CT scan looking for the possible remaining picks, where they discovered not only the sandwich but 1 more pick… WHOLE! At this point, leaving it to natural progression was not advised, and surgery was recommended. Discussions of scoping for removal were debated, but due to the volume of food remaining in his stomach, it was not advised. Mojo had stomach surgery to remove the pick immediately after the CT discovery while he was still sedated. Surgery was successful, he was stable, and things were looking good.

Overnight Tuesday into Wednesday, he took a turn for the worse. He developed pneumonia; add that to the swelling in the throat due to the trauma of the pick through the larynx, he wasn't getting enough oxygen. They had to sedate, intubate, and put him on oxygen. **Wednesday morning was so scary, emotional, and stressful.**

Mojo stayed stable throughout Wednesday and Wednesday night—intubated and on oxygen in the PET ICU—with around-the-clock 1-to-1 nursing care.

On Thursday morning, they tried to remove the intubation tube and reduce the oxygen, but Mojo wasn't able to tolerate it and continued to not get enough oxygen. They had to sedate him again and reintubate him to provide him with the oxygen he needs. They repeated the chest X-ray and saw no worsening of the pneumonia, but it wasn't better either. Is that good news? Or bad news? We have been doing our best to stay positive and trust that Mojo will come home recovered soon, but the stress levels here in our hearts are so high.

After discussions with the Drs. on Thursday evening, we determined that the next best step for Mojo is a temporary tracheostomy. With his throat so swollen due to the trauma of the pick, then add in irritation from the intubation tube—all these factors are delaying the necessary results to get Mojo up and moving. Remember, he needs to recover from the stomach surgery. Mojo has been sedated for too many days/hours, and the longer he is sedated, the possibility of further complications increases. So we decided to proceed; they performed the tracheostomy on Thursday night. Mojo remained stable overnight from Thursday into Friday—good news—but didn't get any better.

Friday was by far the hardest day yet. From the worry of what is Mojo feeling? We know he misses us—he is such a people-dependent animal. He hates being alone and away from his person. How much more can his body handle? Waiting for updates but fearing bad news. All the emotions and stressors we are feeling—scared, missing him, worried, financial stress—add it all together, and it's just overwhelming.

Throughout Friday, Mojo was stable but had to remain pretty sedated to continue to get oxygen through the tracheotomy. The Drs. are concerned about the length of time he has been sedated. He is developing swelling in his legs due to the non-movement and sedation. We have to get him awake and up.

I received an update this morning, Saturday, and a picture! The first one since he was admitted. He is doing better with his oxygen levels! He is, however, extremely anxious when he isn’t sedated, which complicates everything. They will work today to wean him from the oxygen dependency. We are so hopeful and optimistic that Mojo will recover and be able to come home. The Drs. keep reminding me that he has a long road to recover. I will continue to have hope.

Then there is the other side of this whole ordeal—the financial burden. In the message I received from them this morning, it was also included the current balance of Mojo’s care: **$23,287.37.**

Mojo still has a long road ahead, and we believe he will be home with us again.

The Drs. and staff at Pinnacle have worked hard for Mojo and our family. The professionalism and the care they have demonstrated are invaluable.

**Mojo is not just a pet; he is a member of our family.** All donations go directly to Mojo’s care and support through his healing journey. Any donations in excess of Mojo’s care will be provided to Pinnacle to support other families.

Thank you so much for reading our story and for supporting Mojo. Your kindness, love, and well wishes mean everything.

Love, Haleigh, Doohwanna, and Shelby