Tank is  a 3 year old Mini Bull Terrier that came down with an acute attack of severe necrotizing pancreatitis last Monday February 15, 2021. He had begun vomiting every hour that day, no appetite, body tremors. He was showing severe signs of an acute illness quickly going into crisis. He has been in extreme pain ever since. 

Since February 19, 2021 Tank had to be rushed to the University of Guelph hospital for critical care in ICU. He is hanging on, but just barely and we are hopeful that he is on his way to recovery with the specialized treatments that he has access to there. Tank is a trooper. He is going to require several more days of hospitalization to make it through, which has been extremely costly. I am asking for donations to ensure his speedy recovery and have access to the care he needs. 

He was brought to a local Windsor Animal Hospital where he was triaged and assessed with a possible bowel obstruction and received many tests. I was told that if it is indeed an obstruction that it required emergency surgery. The x-ray did not show a clear obstruction, but the barium was not travelling down the small intestine, a condition the vet call "Ileus". I was told I had to pay approximately a $3500 deposit for the surgery or Tank would most likely die. Surgery did not reveal a bowel obstruction. His pancreas was biopsied and since been diagnosed as necrotizing pancreatitis. 

Since surgery he was heavily medicated and made comfortable due the extreme pain that came on with the pancreatitis. Now he has a surgical wound that he has to heal from as well. 

Tank is worth saving. He shows promising signs and is still able to walk, is solid and strong still. His vitals a good, and no fever.  However his prognosis is still guarded and he will need extended in-hospital care that is crucial to his survival. I am out of funds to continue to pay for his care and as a result he may die. The hospital does not do payment plans or work until you pay first. 

Covid restrictions have made this extremely painful for me as I cannot be with him and comfort him. I am begging everyone to please pledge their support and if you need to verify this patient, please call the Ontario Veterinary Clinic: https://www.ovchsc.ca/covid-19-updates-for-clients.

I am out of funds at this point and because Tank will need at least another 5 - 12 more days of in-hospital care. I anticipate another $10,000 - 15,000 in hospital costs potentially. Time is of the essence and I cannot stress enough how this sweet animal needs your help. Please help him as best you can by donating to Tank's fund. Thank you and God bless you.
 
If you wish to know more I have summarized below his medical progress:

His current conditions are:

-Inflammation throughout his organs due to pancreatic stress (his liver especially); 

-He still has a feeding tube and has been trickled fed in hopes of his bowels starting to work again. His stomach fluids are being emptied to keep his stomach empty in order to avoid further vomiting. So far he is not keeping his liquid food down. 

-Tanks surgical wound had signs of bruising and some fluid weeping out. He had to receive a plasma transfusion to deal with clotting factors and blood protein levels and is now improving slowly. 

-He is drinking water by mouth again and is managing to keep it down as of Feb. 21/2021. 

-He has moderate to severe edema due to the inflammation in his body so he is receiving a diuretic to help eliminate the fluid.

-He is currently anemic and will be monitored for further level drops in his blood. He may need a blood transfusion as a result. He is presenting well enough that the Dr. wanted to hold off as he was showing signs of improvement. 

-He has been able to hold down some food as of Feb. 21, 2021 but needs to show consistency and appetite. 

-His pain is being managed by a ketamine product along with opioids. He receives medication to kick start his bowels and get the digestive system moving. This is the crucial window that he has to break through is to be able to move the food along the intestines. He is not there yet.