Hi, I’m Chloe, Skye’s Mom.

If you know Skye, you know she’s tiny, feisty, hilarious, and the actual love of my life.

On July 28th, she went in for a routine grooming appointment.


Four days later, she was in the emergency hospital, sedated, in severe pain, her eye swollen shut, with vets scrambling to figure out what was wrong.

We’ve now had:

* 3 emergency vet visits

* 2 hospitalizations

* A CT scan + eye sewn shut

* A salivary gland infection and possibly surgery

* And over $10,000 spent with no clear cause ever identified

But this isn’t just about Skye....


It’s about a veterinary system that failed her.
It’s about misinformation, miscommunication, and a lack of accountability.
And it’s about making sure this doesn’t happen to anyone else’s pet.

We’ve been passed from vet to vet. Specialists are unavailable. Mistakes were made and covered. Prices have been astronomical with little to no answers, and yet Skye is still fighting to get back to the spunky pup she was just a week ago.

We're asking for help - not just for her recovery, but to shine a light on how broken this system really is.

Anything donated over her direct medical costs will be donated to organizations pushing for transparency, accountability, and proper pet care training in Canada.

What Actually Happened:

JULY 28
 - Skye went to her usual groomer for a bath, nail trim, and a gentle tooth brushing. No issues noted.

JULY 29 – AUG 1
She became lethargic, had diarrhea, and refused food. We assumed it was stomach-related and treated at home.

AUGUST 2
 - We rushed her to the emergency vet (VEC).
 She was sedated. They found signs of jaw trauma - potential fracture / dislocation / infection or major bruising. 


Prescribed antibiotics and pain meds.


Also noted: her right eye was swollen and bloodshot.

Sent home with NO dental specialist available in the GTA over the long weekend.

AUGUST 4 (MORNING)
 - We saw her regular vet (Cabbagetown).

Performed eye tests as eye was beginning to worsen

Eye looked drastically worse after the tests. 


Despite worsening symptoms, they sent her home with only eye drops — no cone, no referrals.


She got worse within hours.

AUGUST 4 (EVENING) - 
Told to go back to the emergency vet (by my regular vet) to see a confirmed Optometrist that was in.

Eye was now bulging.


After waiting hours - told specialist wasn’t available

Told same tests in the AM would be done. 


Was told I’d need to pay the holiday fee $400 just to get referrals (which were not given on either vet visit prior) 


We had no choice but to hospitalize her.


Deposit: $1,922.

AUGUST 5 - 


She had a CT scan.


Results: no TMJ issues, no fractures, no dental problems.


Diagnosis: Ulcerated eye + severely swollen salivary gland.


Eye was sewn shut to prevent loss of eye.


Started on broad-spectrum antibiotics and pain meds.


Another deposit: $7,176.

AUGUST 6
 - Oral exam under sedation: teeth and jaw look okay.


Confirmed: massively inflamed salivary gland.


Likely infection, possible duct blockage.


Decision made to try drainage procedure before full surgery.

AUGUST 7
 - Skye is still hospitalized.

Drain scheduled.


If it fails, the next step is major surgery to remove the gland — estimated at $6,000–$8,000 more.

Total So Far:

VEC #1 – $708.11


Cabbagetown – $619.43


VEC Hospitalization #1 – $1,922.70


VEC Hospitalization #2 – $7,176.63


TOTAL: $10,426.87

❗️Why This Matters:

* It took 3 visits / 4 days to get any real answers.

* We were sent home with antibiotics / pain meds / eye drops / no cone while she was actively deteriorating.

* No specialist referrals were provided when they should’ve been.

* We still don’t know what caused this.

Groomers say it wasn’t brushing-related.


Vets are unsure of the cause / not looking like the tooth brushing


But no one can confirm what caused the trauma.


And it took almost a week for anyone to even suspect the salivary gland.

Meanwhile, we’re burning money and watching her suffer through avoidable pain.

How You Can Help:

Donate — any amount helps cover her ongoing care


Share this story with fellow pet owners and animal lovers


Speak out — if this happened to your pet, let’s raise our voices

Any leftover funds will go to animal organizations working to:

* Hold clinics accountable

* Improve emergency training

* Increase vet accessibility and education

Thank you for reading, caring, and supporting Skye.
 We’re exhausted, heartbroken, and still in this fight - but we’re not backing down.

With love (and rage),


Chloe + Skye