Saving Brady
Donation protected
We are putting our pride aside and asking for help for our sweet little pup. Brady is a 7 month old Maltese and to say that he has impacted our lives in that time is a complete understatement. He is a blessing and has changed our lives for the better. He loves to meet new people and other dogs and to explore outside. Before he got sick he was a happy and active puppy, who gave us both so much love and laughter. Although we love him immensely, it isn't enough to make him feel better.
We noticed Brady not feeling well on January 9th 2017. He was tired and not eating much so we brought him to our vets office to have him checked and hoped it was just a virus or something wrong with his GI. They prescribed him food to help his belly and an antibiotic and sent us on our way. At the time we had no idea that we were about to be on an emotional rollercoaster.
The very next day Brady went blind. We immediately brought him to the ER where he was treated for uveitis. They explained that this was possibly a whole separate issue from his GI issue because there was no way to connect the two. They prescribed us eye drops and more antibiotics. We went home feeling nervous and confused about what was happening.
The next day Brady could see again! It was such a relief for us to know that he had his vision back, but it was a bit unsettling to not have a reason for this happening. A few days later, on January 14th, he went to see his vet for a follow up appointment and a urine test. He was diagnosed with a UTI and was put on another antibiotic.
Quickly after this he was coming back to being his normal self. He was lively and playful and it was such a relief to finally have our Brady back. Unfortunately things took a turn for the worse. He started acting a little sluggish as the weekend approached. He wasn't eating and was back to being very lethargic.
On Saturday, January 21st, Brady wasn't himself again and all of a sudden would start to collapse when he tried to walk. We took him back to the ER and more tests were done. One of those tests was a full blood count test. The results of that test showed that Brady had a significantly low red blood cell count of 20% and also no platelets were found in his blood. The doctors said that his immune system was attacking his red blood cells and platelets which made him vulnerable to uncontrollable internal and external bleeding. He spent the night in the hospital and he was given two blood transfusions to raise his red blood cell count.
The next day he was given the okay to come back home with us. He left the hospital with a RBC count of 27% and he was due to come back on Monday for an ultrasound.
On Monday, the 23rd, he received his ultrasound and also another RBC check. His ultrasound came back with no major abnormalities but his RBC did drop a little to 23%. We were advised to keep Brady in a "bubble" and to not let him get excited or exert any energy because anything could make him bleed internally or externally.
So we brought our little guy home and the next day on Tuesday the 24th, he seemed even worse. After checking his gums, they looked extremely pale, and we had to bring him back to the hospital to get an exam and another RBC count. In a matter of 24 hours his RBC count dropped to 14% and he was immediately admitted back into the hospital overnight for another blood transfusion.
As we left the hospital without our puppy, for the second time this week, we felt like we were hit hard. Not only emotionally, but also financially. It all happened so suddenly.
The upcoming weeks will be crucial in determining Brady's diagnosis. Seeing what medications he responds to as well as extensive testing, will help the doctors have a better understanding of what is going on.
We are here to ask for your help to save our sweet boy. All of the donations will help to cover all of these unexpected medical expenses for Brady. As of right now these include: blood transfusions, vet and ER visits, medications, necessary testing and whatever else is to come.
We cannot thank you enough for taking the time to read, and hopefully share, Brady's story. We are eternally grateful for any donations, prayers or good vibes that you send for our dog.
With love and gratitude,
Melissa and Dan
We noticed Brady not feeling well on January 9th 2017. He was tired and not eating much so we brought him to our vets office to have him checked and hoped it was just a virus or something wrong with his GI. They prescribed him food to help his belly and an antibiotic and sent us on our way. At the time we had no idea that we were about to be on an emotional rollercoaster.
The very next day Brady went blind. We immediately brought him to the ER where he was treated for uveitis. They explained that this was possibly a whole separate issue from his GI issue because there was no way to connect the two. They prescribed us eye drops and more antibiotics. We went home feeling nervous and confused about what was happening.
The next day Brady could see again! It was such a relief for us to know that he had his vision back, but it was a bit unsettling to not have a reason for this happening. A few days later, on January 14th, he went to see his vet for a follow up appointment and a urine test. He was diagnosed with a UTI and was put on another antibiotic.
Quickly after this he was coming back to being his normal self. He was lively and playful and it was such a relief to finally have our Brady back. Unfortunately things took a turn for the worse. He started acting a little sluggish as the weekend approached. He wasn't eating and was back to being very lethargic.
On Saturday, January 21st, Brady wasn't himself again and all of a sudden would start to collapse when he tried to walk. We took him back to the ER and more tests were done. One of those tests was a full blood count test. The results of that test showed that Brady had a significantly low red blood cell count of 20% and also no platelets were found in his blood. The doctors said that his immune system was attacking his red blood cells and platelets which made him vulnerable to uncontrollable internal and external bleeding. He spent the night in the hospital and he was given two blood transfusions to raise his red blood cell count.
The next day he was given the okay to come back home with us. He left the hospital with a RBC count of 27% and he was due to come back on Monday for an ultrasound.
On Monday, the 23rd, he received his ultrasound and also another RBC check. His ultrasound came back with no major abnormalities but his RBC did drop a little to 23%. We were advised to keep Brady in a "bubble" and to not let him get excited or exert any energy because anything could make him bleed internally or externally.
So we brought our little guy home and the next day on Tuesday the 24th, he seemed even worse. After checking his gums, they looked extremely pale, and we had to bring him back to the hospital to get an exam and another RBC count. In a matter of 24 hours his RBC count dropped to 14% and he was immediately admitted back into the hospital overnight for another blood transfusion.
As we left the hospital without our puppy, for the second time this week, we felt like we were hit hard. Not only emotionally, but also financially. It all happened so suddenly.
The upcoming weeks will be crucial in determining Brady's diagnosis. Seeing what medications he responds to as well as extensive testing, will help the doctors have a better understanding of what is going on.
We are here to ask for your help to save our sweet boy. All of the donations will help to cover all of these unexpected medical expenses for Brady. As of right now these include: blood transfusions, vet and ER visits, medications, necessary testing and whatever else is to come.
We cannot thank you enough for taking the time to read, and hopefully share, Brady's story. We are eternally grateful for any donations, prayers or good vibes that you send for our dog.
With love and gratitude,
Melissa and Dan
Organizer and beneficiary
Melissa Collins
Organizer
Bristol, RI
Daniel Grela
Beneficiary
