Ruby the Airedale died leaving high vet bills

Hi, my name is Anne and I’m fundraising for my precious Airedale’s final veterinary bill.

Beautiful, sweet Ruby, my precious Airedale, had a surgical scar revision to remove cancer that was missed during her first surgery which was performed by her regular vet. The first surgery left “dirty” margins. This second procedure was recommended by a board certified veterinary oncologist and performed by a board certified veterinary surgeon at Upstate Vet in Asheville.

Unfortunately Ruby had complications after her successful surgery. She aspirated Friday night night and developed aspiration pneumonia. She ran a high fever of 105° to 107° most of Friday night that finally was down to 101.7° on Saturday morning, February 25, 2023. And her blood gas had only been 89 on Friday night but was where is should be at 97 the next morning. Everything was looking so much better.

But the afternoon of Saturday, February 25, 2023 she had a major aspiration that backed into her lungs and caused cardiac arrest. They tried CPR but it wasn’t successful. I was on the phone with the doctor while they tried to save her and I was able to talk to Ruby. My precious Ruby died while I was on the phone telling her how much I loved her.

I can hardly believe she’s not here anymore. I was convinced I would be able to pick her up and bring her home Sunday. I’m absolutely devastated.

Within the last year and a half, I’ve lost my life partner of 23 years, Brian, and 2 Airedales, Buddy and Ruby. Brian died of lung cancer. Buddy died of spindle cell sarcoma. And Ruby had hemangiopericytoma surgery that lead to her cardiac arrest caused by post surgery aspiration, so in a way she died because of cancer, too. I hate cancer.

She was such a good girl and such a delight to be with. I adopted her as an 8 year old and had the pleasure of her company for a little more than 13 months. I didn’t mind the approximately $6,000 I’ve paid in medical bills for her in 2022 prior to this most recent surgery in February 2023 because to me she was worth it. But this last $6,000 to $8,000 for my precious girl who died the afternoon of Saturday, February 25th is a bitter pill to swallow. I’ve asked the vet hospital to review the bill and reduce it. It didn’t sound hopeful.

Ruby made me feel safe and I was never alone with her in my life. She was my best friend and a great protector. I’m basically a fearful person who is afraid to live alone and she seemed to know that about me. Anytime anyone came to my home, she charged the door barking and jumping at it. She kept me safe. She was my hero. I don’t know how I’m going to recover from losing this fabulous girl.

Wish me luck as I am once again forced to travel this lonely journey of grief as I have no immediate family left to help with any emotional support. This is unbelievably difficult.

And thank you for reading this lengthy missive. If you decide to make any financial contribution, thank you in advance for your help. I appreciate it more than you’ll ever know.