Update:

Stiles got his first and potentially only round of dialysis Friday. Saturday was a hard recovery day for him but we are seeing small improvements each day following. Today, Monday is the first day Stiles has been considered stable and showing joy in small things. I appreciate everyone’s support and prayers so much The doctors are saying his hospitalization may continue for weeks for recovery but each case for leptospirosis has ranged largely.

Hello everyone, my name is Brooke and I’m the owner of this handsome little man, Stiles. Stiles is 5 1/2 years old and has been my absolute everything and more since receiving him as a puppy during Covid. He was in perfect health on Saturday 08/16 however by Sunday afternoon his symptoms started to show (fatigue, shaking, and not eating).

After realizing this may not be one of his anxiety spells I brought him to Shrewsbury’s Veterinary Emergency Group (VEG) Wednesday night. After immediately getting blood results his kidneys levels were extremely elevated. Following those results they performed an ultrasound to find he had acute kidney disease but unsure of the cause. We made the suggestive decision of having my poor boy stay overnight and he was started on antibiotics, electrolytes, anti-nausea and pain medications.

The following morning, Thursday, his kidney levels were tested again and had progressed negatively. Stiles was transferred to Tufts Veterinary Hospital late Thursday when finding out about his diagnose of Leptospirosis, a serious bacterial infection that can cause kidney and liver failure. For anyone unaware of this disease: it spreads through urine of an infected animal to another animal or human. We were very unaware of this deadly infection and the extreme symptoms. If your vets are not currently requiring the lepto vaccine for your pets I highly recommend looking into it and getting your furry friends prevention.

Stiles is fighting hard and just started receiving dialysis this afternoon, Friday. Along with overnight hospitalization that began on Wednesday night, IV fluids, antibiotics, ultrasounds, and more. The cost of his care is immense. I am struggling to cover everything, I am unfortunately not working at the moment due to being a full time student in my final year of college. My family is helping as much as they can, but Stiles is my soul dog and I hate to ask them for everything. The timing and unexpectedness of this disease has taken everyone by surprise and heartbreak. I never would have thought it would come to this. I have been in constant contact with veterinarians about if this is the right route even though the costs are so high but there has been continuous reassurance that leptospirosis can be treated with dialysis. For the care and treatment of Stiles I have maxed out two credit cards and opened a new one I have on top of my college loans, it is hard to put a price on my baby boy’s life. When visiting him in the hospital for the small amounts of time we are allowed to have, he is staying strong and is fighting his hardest against this horrible disease.

If you can donate any amount at all it would mean the world to us and help Stiles and I with the hopeful journey to recovery. As of right now we are in $18,000 and told that number could increase depending on Stiles recovery process. Please share this with others to spread awareness about leptospirosis and the horrible causes of this infection.

Every cent will go toward Stiles medical bills and continued care at the Veterinary Hospital. All the support means the absolute world to me!