Veterinary Costs for Mika Chau

Hi, my name is Katrina Ordoñez and I am fundraising to help offer some financial relief to my friend Briana Chau. She is facing one of the most difficult times with the sudden health crisis of her beloved family member Mika. Mika is a joyful, loving, cuddlebug pomeranian--only 5 years young. However, on Jun 15, 2023, complications in his airways had led to respiratory distress. Briana was able to promptly bring him to the vet emergency where he was intubated and given supportive care. Mika was able to recover quickly with his vitals and lab work looking normal in less than an hour. We were optimistic initially--and we could see it in the veterinarian's eyes as well. However, Mika went under respiratory distress multiple times again overnight while admitted in the Vet ER.

Right now, Mika is in need of further medical care. Briana loves him so much. She is her family and her friend who always greets her after a stressful day--always there to keep her going despite other challenges in life she is facing. She cannot give up on him easily. But, this does not come cheaply.

The first night of vet bills reached up to $8,000 and further care to get Mika out of the woods costs an approximate addition of another $15,000. These additional costs include mechanical ventilation and further diagnostic studies to find the underlying issue afflicting Mika.

I would like to ask for your help in trying to cover even a portion of these costs to show Briana support. All the money collected here will go 100% (except the GoFundMe fees) to ease Brianas financial burden of Mika's healthcare fees. We greatly appreciate any support you can give. Even sharing this page will help Mika immensely.

Update #1 (6/16/2023 @1647)

We just spoke to the care team at the Vet ER Mika has been transferred to for higher level of care. Per the primary vet, Mika continues to require intubation as he is not able to breathe on his own. He will need to be observed and assessed for where the problem lies: in the upper airways or lower. The plan is to see if Mika can breathe on his own while sedated after extubating--to see if it is stress that induces his airways to inflame.

Update #2 (6/17/2023 @ 1006)

Mika had an uneventful stay overnight! He has been extubated and is stable on room air--breathing on his own--under sedation as of this morning. This is a good sign! Primary vet reported that Mika does not have collapsed trachea (which was one of the suspected possible causes) and simply was born with a small trachea, per the imaging studies.

Update #3 (6/17/2023 @1747)

Mika continues to be stable on room air and now with decreased sedation (so more awake!). He is also able to eat now and is very happy to do so! Things are looking very optimistically and we really thank everyone who has supported Briana in this rough journey.

Update #4 (6/18/2023 @1643)

The vet was able to wean off IV drips even more and switched to oral medications. They are finding the right oral medications to maintain stable breathing for Mika. The one challenge is that Mika gets really happy and excited when seeing staff around the hospital--which stresses his airways and causes some panting and wheezing (oh Mika ). Mika had a narrow trachea throughout his admission. And, the vet says it can get weaker as he gets older. Salvage surgery to place stent will be needed if trachea deteriorates. But they’re unable to do it here so he’ll need referral to specialist if it continues to become a problem. He will be staying one final night for observation but he is definitely has started the road to recovery!

Update #5 (6/19/2023 @1100)

Mika is coming home today!!!