Those We Have Helped

Heman was an 11 year old Cocker Spaniel.  He was initially presented to the Cardiology service for intermittent collapse episodes.  Our diagnostics showed the cause of this collapse to be Sick Sinus Syndrome.  This is an abnormality of the heart’s electrical system that causes the heart to pause for prolonged periods of time.  It is a slowly progressive condition that results in fainting.  The treatment of choice for this condition is a pacemaker. The MedVet Charitable Foundation helped finance a portion of his surgery.  HeMan’s surgery was successful and he bounced out of the hospital the next day to continue his recovery at home. 

Henri was a 7 year old Golden Retriever with a golf ball sized soft tissue sarcoma that was removed from below his elbow. Microscopic tumor cells remained following surgery so local tumor re-growth was likely. Based on the tumor grade, spread of the cancer to other parts of the body was unlikely (only 10-20% risk). Possible treatment options to control the local tumor included: 1) amputation of the leg or 2) postoperative radiation treatments to control the microscopic disease while preserving the leg.
The Foundation provided assistance to Henri’s owners, who were both disabled, to help with the cost of his radiation therapy. Henri finished his treatments and is doing well.

 Buster was a 9 month old male American Bulldog. He was “rescued” from his previous owner and presented to MedVet for evaluation of eye problems.  During Buster’s first visit, we learned that his new owner was a single father, raising five young children on his own after his wife was killed in an auto accident.  Eye surgery was performed which successfully corrected his entropion.  Buster is now home and doing well. The Surgery may not have been performed without the financial support of the Foundation.

Eliza was a three year old small mixed breed dog.  She jumped off a bed and hurt herself.  After trying Prednisone therapy Eliza was referred to MedVet for surgery for acute onset of progressive rear limb paresis.  Eliza is now a happy healthy dog since her successful surgery which may not have been possible for her retired handicapped owner.

Angel was an adorable little Maltese dog who was the only companion for her elderly owner, and the first dog she ever owned. Although she was just over one year in age, Angel only weighed three pounds, which is too small for her breed (generally 4-6 pounds). She was having difficulty maintaining her blood sugar and showing signs of neurologic problems (drooling, intermittent blindness, disorientation) along with a poor appetite and lack of energy. Our testing revealed the cause of her problems to be a liver shunt, which was causing poor blood flow to her liver and resulting in accumulation of toxins in her bloodstream along with her stunted growth and low blood sugar. This problem can often be corrected through surgery. The Good Sam Fund recognized the importance of this dog’s companionship for her owner, who also takes care of her own sick mother and a daughter with a chronic debilitating illness. Angel’s surgery was a complete success, and she now enjoys running around like the puppy she never had a chance to be!

Daisy wasa sweet 5 year old Basset Hound. She came to MedVet with severe swelling of her right eye/third eyelid. This was treated and then a month later Daisy was back with the same problem in her left eye. The owners were considering euthanasia due to financial restraints and other family issues. Fortunately for the family, The Good Sam Fund was able to help out and Daisy now has a good prognosis.

Chili is an active 6 year old Golden Retriever who got out of his fenced-in back yard and was unfortunately hit by a car. Chili’s "guardian angel" found him lying on the side of the road and immediately brought him to MedVet. There were complications to Chili’s leg fracture that required surgery and an extended stay in ICU. Good Sam donated a portion of the costs to cover the surgery.Chili has since been reunited with his grateful owner. He is at home recovering from his surgery and we hear he is doing just fine.

Milo is not your average Pomeranian. He is actually quite exceptional. Milo’s owner is a young boy who suffers from brain cancer. Seven years ago, the Make a Wish Foundation granted him a wish; a pet of his own. As Milo and the boy’s love grew, a special bond developed. Over time Milo began to detect the onset of his owner’s brain seizures before the happened and was able to alert the boy’s mother to enable care. As you could imagine, Milo is an invaluable safety net for the health and welfare of this young boy. A most special family pet indeed!
Unfortunately, Milo developed a life threatening medical condition requiring surgery. Good Sam donated a portion of the costs to cover the surgery. Milo went through his surgery and is doing very well thanks to the caring professionals at MedVet. 

Lucky came to the hospital with a chronic cough. His owners were an elderly couple, well into their 80s. It was obvious, after the initial exam, that Lucky held a special place in their lives. One of Lucky’s owners was suffering from Alzheimers disease. Lucky would require the removal of a lung. With this surgery, Lucky’s life could return to normal. Lucky was a companion pet that provided therapy and love to this couple.

With some financial assistance  The surgery was completed and Lucky went home on the 3rd day. The clinic received a call from the owners several weeks later to report on how well Lucky was doing and how "lucky" they were to have him as an important part of their lives.

Lexi Lou was a little white 9 week old teacup poodle. The new addition to a young couple’s family, Lexi was taken immediately into their hearts. But, she developed some difficulties and was diagnosed with Patent Ductus Arteriosus, a condition of the heart.This condition is curable through surgery, but finances were a concern. The husband was overseas in the military. The financial burden of this surgery was beyond their means.

With some financial support by the Foundation through the Good sam Fund, Lexi came through her surgery with flying colors and went home the next day.

John was the proud owner of 2 normal, healthy cats.  One morning, the youngest cat, BeBe, was not feeling well, and the older one, Stinky, was behaving strangely.  A trip to the vet with BeBe revealed that she was very sick.  So sick, in fact, that the decision was made to euthanize her.  As an afterthought, John mentioned that his other cat seemed to be a "little off" as well and described some symptoms.  The veterinarian was immediately concerned that "Stinky" was having serious urinary problems, and may even have become blocked.  John raced home to bring Stinky back to the vet's office. Stinky was obstructed.  John, couldn’t afford to keep Stinky at the vet’s office so he took her home. That night, "Stinky' was in distress.  Ben brought him to the emergency service at MedVet.

We learned that John had just lost his other cat and had recently suffered extensive physical injury from an accident. Coupled with the burden of his own medical bills and student tuition, he was in no position to incur additional medical costs for Stinky.

The Good SAM Fund approved Stinky as a recipient for financial assistance. Without the action of the ER and specialists at MedVet, Stinky would not have survived.  His life was truly saved and Ben only had to say "goodbye" to one family member that day instead of two.