Oliver’s Obstacles

Hi, my name is Nicole Loiselle, and I am Oliver’s “sister.” My father, Robert Loiselle and I were graciously gifted baby Oliver four years ago. Oliver is extremely thankful for life. If there is a warm body, he is either lying on it or next to it. When excited, he makes several twirls. I often joke that Oliver is so friendly that he could easily be taken while putting up no effort to intervene. Oliver has gotten my father and me through many tough times. He is our therapy dog without having the title.

Recently Oliver came down with a cough. I thought perhaps it was kennel cough, which is curable. Dad brought him to his veterinarian. They believed it to be “a touch of bronchitis.” Oliver was given antibiotics as well as a steroid and sent on his way. Within a few short days, Oliver’s symptoms worsened, which caused worry. We called his vet; they had the day blocked off for surgeries but had us pick up a different medication. A few days after given the new medication, Oliver became severely ill. He wasn’t eating, became lethargic, and his breathing was tremendously labored. At this time, his vet was closed. We started researching emergency animal hospitals. We found the closest wasn’t taking patients that day, so we drove to a recommended hospital. Oliver was admitted immediately while Dad and I waited hours for an update. The Dr. came to inform us his bronchitis had developed into pneumonia. They needed to keep Oliver overnight in an oxygen tank. Oliver was discharged the next day and sent home with yet another antibiotic. After several follow-ups at his primary vet, we were informed Oliver was doing well.

A few weeks later, I received a message that my father was on his way to a different emergency facility with Oliver for the same condition. The veterinarian told my father he expected it to be lymphoma. Oliver spent five nights and four days in the intensive care oxygen unit. Again, sent home with new meds along with a specific food regimen. Oliver also couldn’t wear the standard collar around his neck and had to stay inactive. With another couple of checkups, we were told Oliver was well.

Fast forward one month. Oliver is sick yet again. This time, with his coughing and crackled breathing, Oliver was vomiting dark blood. Dad wasted no time in letting me know. It became scary when five emergency animal hospitals were at capacity with astronomical wait times. It seemed no one had room for us. I tried one of the five for a second time in hopes they would be willing to squeeze us in. To our surprise, the lady on the phone allowed us to come but told us the expected wait time was around five hours. We didn’t care as long as they helped Oliver. They took him in immediately. Dad and I waited several hours until a Dr. could speak with us. Oliver was back in oxygen, and the Dr. suspected his pneumonia had returned and that he should return home in two days. The next morning, we received the call no one wants to receive. We were told to come sooner rather than later because they didn’t expect Oliver to survive much longer. We were given the option to put him in a coma to have a machine control his breathing. This would cost $1,000 a day. After being placed in a coma, the survival rate was 10-20%. We decided on sedation to ease his labored breathing.

The next day the Dr. called, saying his kidneys were shutting down due to the certain antibiotics given. They pulled that antibiotic and switched to the big gun. The last-ditch effort to save Oliver. We decided to give Oliver 24 hours to show improvement. We didn’t like the idea of the poor guy suffering. We reached out to friends and family for prayers and support. To our surprise, we got report the next afternoon that Oliver was improving. They even cut back on his oxygen intake. Oliver also ate a bit for the first time in three days. We were allowed a short visit and were encouraged to bring chicken for him to eat. Oliver lifted his head for a short time to eat the chicken, then back down to rest. We noticed his breathing was very heavy. After we left, the Dr. decided to put him back on his oxygen tube until his breathing was more controlled. Oliver’s Dr. ordered x-rays of his lungs to see if they had made any improvement.

Oliver is still at Tuft’s Animal Hospital currently.

Oliver’s emergency vet bills are reaching upwards of $20,000. All donations made will go directly to Oliver’s vet bills. Prayers and donations are greatly appreciated. Thank you to all who have reached out to my family for support and any donations.