By Trish and John Dale
This note is being sent on behalf of our dog Buddy.
For about a year Buddy has been battling an unknown respiratory condition.
It is not kennel cough and three times Bud has responded very well to oral antibiotics. Buddy has been treated by Dr. Emily Bond at Sequist Animal Hospital in Stowe, VT, Dr. Carroll, Angell Memorial Medical Center in Boston.
A few weeks ago, Bud's cough came back and progressively got worse. His energy level and appetite dropped off. His eyes and ears got infected and sometimes he ran a low grade temp.
Friday, September 26, I took Buddy to Angell in Boston. Unfortunately, we were not able to see Dr. Carroll. The vet we saw found that one of Buddy's lungs was completely whited out. She sent us home Friday with oral steroids, eye medication and instructions to follow up with Dr. Carroll.
On Saturday morning Buddy was unable or uninterested in getting out of his kennel even for breakfast. Buddy was then rushed to Tufts Small Animal Hospital in Grafton, MA. Upon arrival he was immediately started on oxygen.
Currently, Buddy is receiving IV antibiotics and fluids. Last night his doctor felt the lump in Buddy's chest, which most likely is some sort of infections abscess in his lung, needs to come out. It has grown too large to be treated with only antibiotics.
Once the lump is removed Buddy should recover and feel better quickly. Last night Dr. Alex did not feel doing a CT or needle biopsy would give much more information since the treatment would be the same. However, it will be up to the surgeons and radiologists.
The ironic piece is we are in the early stages of forming the Tater Tot Foundation. One goal of Tater's foundation is to raise money for families with unexpected vet expenses. I make four kinds of homemade dog cookies and a few restaurants are even going to start selling Tater Treats. My first goal is to raise the funds to be able to register The Tater Fund as an official 501(c) to have nonprofit status.
The reason I am writing to you is we are not prepared, as most pet parents would not be, for the $6,000 estimate for Buddy's care.
We are expecting two large cash settlements in October so any loans that would be made on Bud's behalf would quickly be repaid and we would sign a note. Secondly, I would be happy to offer a post-dated contribution to the Tater Fund which would provide a tax credit.
If you are able to provide support for Buddy, please call the Tufts accounting department at 508-839-7963.
Trish and John Dale and Buddy live in Warren.
