Saving Buddy- AKA "RIP"

Click here for Buddy's previous story 

I’ve cried many tears these last two weeks. Many of you have been following my story about Rip and helping look for him when he got lost from pound. I was overwhelmed with your kindness and caring for my sweet Rip. I have not been able to post anything about Rip as I have been consumed with trying to save his life. Yes, my sweet baby was found by a miracle from God after many days of searching. Finally, Rip was going to have a loving home after living his entire life on a chain without food, care, nor shelter from the environment he was in until I bought him a dog house. 

The wonderful people that found Rip (his new name is Buddy) took him to their vet to have him checked out. I told them I would cover his vet bills. They were told be me that he was heartworm positive. The vet tech at their vet proceeded to give him his rabies, bordetella, Lepto, K-9 Dap vaccine, and Pro Heart 6, and he was scheduled to be neutered two days later. I have never heard of Pro Heart 6 and after researching it, I was terrified for Rip. Not only is it not to be given to heartworm positive adult dogs, it is also advised with extreme caution when given with other vaccines as it can cause severe adverse reactions and even death. 

They assumed the vet knew best and it was already done. Buddy got fixed 2 days later. The owner called me the next morning in a panic telling me something was wrong; they had to rush Buddy to the doctor since he was having trouble breathing. I then got a call that they were rushing him into surgery at his vet. 

Buddy’s journey from this point on is truly unbelievable. Somehow during the neutering surgery, his artery got nicked and he was bleeding internally. He went home that afternoon after surgery.. well, guess what? I got another call a day later and we were rushing Buddy to the ER vet on Line Ave. By now, he can’t walk and is being carried by a stretcher. He was losing blood and his gums were white. The did emergency surgery again after many tests and when they cut him open, pus poured out of his abdomen; the diagnosis was sepsis. So Buddy has now been cut open 3 times within 5 days. They did not give much hope but I had to try to save him. He has been through so much, I couldn’t give up on him. He is a fighter and only wanted to be loved. He made it through surgery but is in very critical condition. His red blood count was next to nothing and his white blood cell count was 79,000. He is frightened for his life. Everyday is another battle to overcome. He has had to have 2 blood transfusions. We have been fighting to get his Albumin count up. Even when Buddy couldn’t stand, he would try to wag his tail. My heart was broken for him. 

Every day has been another battle to fight. Buddy has fought hard. He got to come home Thursday night and we thought we were finally going to make it. The next morning, we had to rush him back to the vet as we thought he was having seizures. Dr. Panos at South Shreveport Animal Hospital has been wonderful in caring for Buddy. She consulted over the phone with 2 different neurologists. Buddy was also very dehydrated and they did not understand why. IV fluids were started back up and since the weekend, he has been at Line Ave Emergency Clinic. 
I am feeling so lost and defeated but do not want to give up on Buddy. He has fought every hurdle thrown his way like a champion. 
The vets are very concerned with his kidney function as his creatinine levels remain high when they try to ween him off the IV fluids. After spending the weekend at the emergency vet with continual IV fluids, we were hopeful the creatinine levels would stabilize. Unfortunately, they were not. So, we will continue 24-hour IV fluids at South during the day and back to the emergency vet at night. The hope is that if Buddy can continue with therapy, his kidney function will resume. 

Let me say this: I believe with all my heart that Buddy is having these health issues because of the ProHeart 6 shots. I hope that our story reaches many caring pet owners that were not aware of the possible effects on heartworm (+) adult dogs as I would ever wish to see anyone go through what we have and the suffering that the ProHeart 6 shots caused over Buddy. The suffering we have had to watch Buddy endure is unspeakable. 

Everyone loves Buddy- he has become their favorite at the clinics. This dog has been through so much and deserves a chance to experience a life filled with love and care and not hooked up to a 2 ft chain. I do not want to give up now as we have come so far. Unfortunately, his vet bills to date is at $6,813.85 (I've attached photos of his bills thus far). I am asking for any donations so we can continue his treatment. Any amount will make a difference. You can call South Shreveport Animal Hospital at [phone redacted] to donate in Buddy’s name under Mary Hamby. Dr. Panos has been caring for Buddy and we are so thankful for the job she’s done.