Help Samson Get Well
Donation protected
Samson is an almost 3 year old Green Wing Macaw. He loves everyone and is always in the mood for cuddles.
Up until a month ago, Samson was a vibrant, strong, healthy, sweet baby. That's when this journey began. First, his mom, Maryann, noticed he wasn't eating or pooping as much as normal. So, he went to the vet. This vet weighed him, took an X-ray and diagnosed him with severe arthritis. Samson was sent home with steroids and a joint supplement. After about a week on the meds, Maryann noticed he was getting worse, not better. He was getting weak and lethargic. Maryann stopped the meds and tried some natural remedies for a couple of days.
When there was no improvement, Maryanne took him for a second opinion. By this time, Samson couldn't stand erect. The second vet diagnosed him with pneumonia and put him in an incubator with a nebulizer and antibiotics. Bloodwork showed an elevated white blood cell count, but not much else. A poop test showed nothing. A second X-ray showed what looked like a completely different bird, with zero inflammation in the joints. The vet was clueless as to why. At this point, he said he thought it was the liver, even though there were no indications in the bloodwork or in the X-ray. After almost a week in the clinic, Samson was sent home with about a 10% chance of survival, because the vet said he had done all he could. So, we brought him home.
Over the next week, with his mom's constant care, milk thistle, aloe detox, and B12, Samson seemed to be improving. He began to be able to hold himself up, he was eating and drinking, and moving around. But then he started vomiting. And, he got really weak and lethargic, again.
So, we made an emergency trip to the University of Georgia veterinary hospital. Samson was immediately put in the critical care ward, in an incubator, on oxygen and with an IV. Once he's stable enough, more tests will be done. But, for the first 24 hours, he is receiving around-the-clock care and supervision.
Maryanne was given an estimate of $2000 for the first 24 hours. She was able to come up with the required 50% deposit. But, after spending a couple thousand dollars on the two previous vets, she's depleted her resources and her options.
That's where we come in. If she can't raise money, Samson will have to come home tomorrow, with no more answers. He has fought too hard to be sent home with no more options. And, Maryann has fought too hard for him, for this to happen.
Let's help Maryann get answers for Samson while there's still time!
8/09/19
Update:
It's with a heavy heart that I write this update. Samson passed at approximately 5:45 this morning. His mom did everything she could. And Samsom fought as long as he could. In the end, he held on to make it home from UGA to be with his mom and family for his final breath. She was awake with him, comforting him, til the end. His mom would like to thank everyone for their prayers and emotional support.
I'm leaving this GoFundMe active for a couple more days. Maryann accumulated a lot of debt (several thousand dollars) in trying to get answers for Samson and trying to get him well. All donations will go to that.
Thank you, everyone!
Up until a month ago, Samson was a vibrant, strong, healthy, sweet baby. That's when this journey began. First, his mom, Maryann, noticed he wasn't eating or pooping as much as normal. So, he went to the vet. This vet weighed him, took an X-ray and diagnosed him with severe arthritis. Samson was sent home with steroids and a joint supplement. After about a week on the meds, Maryann noticed he was getting worse, not better. He was getting weak and lethargic. Maryann stopped the meds and tried some natural remedies for a couple of days.
When there was no improvement, Maryanne took him for a second opinion. By this time, Samson couldn't stand erect. The second vet diagnosed him with pneumonia and put him in an incubator with a nebulizer and antibiotics. Bloodwork showed an elevated white blood cell count, but not much else. A poop test showed nothing. A second X-ray showed what looked like a completely different bird, with zero inflammation in the joints. The vet was clueless as to why. At this point, he said he thought it was the liver, even though there were no indications in the bloodwork or in the X-ray. After almost a week in the clinic, Samson was sent home with about a 10% chance of survival, because the vet said he had done all he could. So, we brought him home.
Over the next week, with his mom's constant care, milk thistle, aloe detox, and B12, Samson seemed to be improving. He began to be able to hold himself up, he was eating and drinking, and moving around. But then he started vomiting. And, he got really weak and lethargic, again.
So, we made an emergency trip to the University of Georgia veterinary hospital. Samson was immediately put in the critical care ward, in an incubator, on oxygen and with an IV. Once he's stable enough, more tests will be done. But, for the first 24 hours, he is receiving around-the-clock care and supervision.
Maryanne was given an estimate of $2000 for the first 24 hours. She was able to come up with the required 50% deposit. But, after spending a couple thousand dollars on the two previous vets, she's depleted her resources and her options.
That's where we come in. If she can't raise money, Samson will have to come home tomorrow, with no more answers. He has fought too hard to be sent home with no more options. And, Maryann has fought too hard for him, for this to happen.
Let's help Maryann get answers for Samson while there's still time!
8/09/19
Update:
It's with a heavy heart that I write this update. Samson passed at approximately 5:45 this morning. His mom did everything she could. And Samsom fought as long as he could. In the end, he held on to make it home from UGA to be with his mom and family for his final breath. She was awake with him, comforting him, til the end. His mom would like to thank everyone for their prayers and emotional support.
I'm leaving this GoFundMe active for a couple more days. Maryann accumulated a lot of debt (several thousand dollars) in trying to get answers for Samson and trying to get him well. All donations will go to that.
Thank you, everyone!
Organizer
Jessica Horton
Organizer
Conyers, GA
