UPDATE
Suzette is over the moon from everyone’s support. She almost had to lose Wink for financial reasons and she feels blessed to have friends come to the rescue.
Wink is healing well and starting to become the active puppy he was before. Suzette has started her physical therapy and is showing improvement.
Hi, my name is Ellen and I am fundraising for Suzette and her puppy Wink. This is the first time I have initiated fundraising like this. My heart broke knowing Suzette and what she is going through. She has helped me and others informally training our dogs. She lives on modest retirement income, and Wink’s emergency surgery has devastated her emotionally and financially.
These are her words:
“Hi Ellen, We are doing okay now but things have not gone well going into 2023.
In December I injured my back and got some pain medication. After no improvement, I finally got an appointment for X-Rays. Worse time of year to get any medical appointments. Doctor could not see enough from the X-Rays so made an appointment with a specialist. Meanwhile, wearing a big brace, I was able to hobble around, stopping to sit or lie down every ten steps. The dogs were manageable, being able to just go out to the x-pen to potty. Then Wink suddenly started throwing up and in pain. My friend helped me get Wink to the emergency vet, it was Friday evening. Wink was quickly fading while we waited to see the vet. Finally X-Rays, but the vet could not see what was wrong, so off to another emergency vet that had MRI equipment. Operation, found a mass in her stomach and twisted intestines. It appeared the mass was string like and parts had broken loose and tangled around everything on the way out. They opened her up from stem to stern inorder to untangle the mass. Wink stayed there for constant monitoring. Finally, on Tuesday, it looked like she was doing okay, off the feeding tube. On all kinds of medication to be given every two hours, although still in critical condition she was ready to go home. Since I could barely take care of myself, my friend took Wink to her home for care. After a week of constant monitoring day and night, Wink is home with me. My friend saved Wink's life, I will be forever grateful.
After the doctor looked at my X-Rays, still not able to tell what was going on, I needed to get an MRI. Finally got the MRI on the 16th, the doctor will get the results first of February. At this time I am able to hold myself upright with the brace on, walk a few yards without getting breathless or having to sit. Wink is able to manage the stairs without being carried, so that is good. “
The culprit turned out to be craft string that Wink had ingested before Suzette got her from the breeder. Suzette does not have such things in her home and Wink is monitored closely.
The Vet bill is $10,000 and it will be amazing if we can all pitch in and help to Suzette and Wink.