Star is my 15-1/2 year old rat terrier and she needs your help. She is usually silly, sweet, mischievous & loves tearing apart her fluffy toys. But, now she finds herself at SAGE Veterinary Centers emergency in Redwood City. Wednesday night 9/25 she began showing signs of a pancreatitis flare up. She has had these several times and they usually last a few days. With a visit to the vet, bloodwork, chest X-rays, antibiotics-nausea meds & pain meds - Starry usually recovers in a few days.

This time it’s different. I could tell by the way she was acting that her abdominal pain was more intense. I took her to Pacifica Pet Hospital on Thursday 9/26 to see Dr. Choi and the usual tests were given but this time she was also dehydrated so she received fluids. This visit was $800. Luckily I have Trupanion insurance so I will get reimbursed for some of this visit but I still pay for it up front.

Unfortunately, we went home that Thursday and she did not seem to get any better. Star could not rest, she showed signs of extreme abdominal pain and I thought she had a fever. She had diarrhea & started to vomit blood Friday morning. I took Starry back to Pacifica Pet Hospital and when Dr. Choi saw she was running a fever of over 105° & how her condition worsened overnight he wanted me to take Star to SAGE as soon as possible for round the clock care.

I drove Starry over to SAGE and they took her right to the back. They put Star in an oxygen tank right away to help with her rapid breathing. They got her fever down to 103° while I was still there. The Dr.’s course of action was to get an ultrasound, bloodwork, urinalysis & culture, IV for fluids since she was dehydrated, electrocardiogram (EKG) since something showed up in her X-rays that was concerning about her heart, antibiotics & IV injections for her pancreatitis. Star needed to stay overnight to run all tests, keep her fever down, keep her hydrated & manage her pain level. I was given an estimate of $6K to $8K

my insurance can pay SAGE directly and they approved to pay 90%. I paid $750 out of pocket.

At 1:30am Saturday morning I called to check in on Star and the doctor gave me the update. She was having a rough night. Star was bleeding excessively from her rectum (clots), which can be normal with pancreatitis but it could also make her anemic. Her heart condition was found to be a leaky valve so they have to be careful how much fluid is given and how fast.

Star stayed in the hospital overnight on Saturday as well. With the additional tests, meds & care needed it raised the estimate to $16K. They submitted a 2nd estimate to Trupanion which approved 90% of the additional amount. I paid another $900 out of pocket Sat night.

I got to visit Star late Saturday night. When I walked up to her cage she lifted her head to look at me. It was so sad to see her laying there with all those IV’s in her legs. She was covered with a soft blanket and I put my had on her head and she placed her head in my hand laying back down to relax while looking at me. The nurse techs at SAGE are amazing. Star is in good hands with everyone there.

Star will need to stay at SAGE for several days. We just have to take it one day at a time to see how she reacts to the meds. If she does not eat for them by tomorrow they will have to insert a feeding tube.

I'm worried for my StarryEyes.

Even with pet insurance I am running out of money with rent due and other bills coming up.

I ask for your help with her emergency veterinary bills and will keep you posted on her status.

Thank you,

Dawn