Reverend_Maynard Posted December 26, 2019 Share #1 Posted December 26, 2019 Hi Everyone, As usual, I don't post that much until I have something tragic to report. I apologize for taking advantage of y'all in such a manner, but the hits keep coming. Tuesday night, approximately 9pm, typical X-Mas eve. Hanging out with my SO and our friend, watching TV and whatnot. We let the dogs out in the front yard, which is fenced in appropriately to keep a couple of <15lb dogs in the yard. It's cold out, so we let them, close the door. Suddenly our friend is at the front door, looking out, yelling "there's a dog fight going on out here!" (or something, it's really blurry)... before I could really process that, my SO rushes out the door, and seconds later comes back in with my male dog, Bruschi, cradled in her arms, saying "they were killing him, I had to pull him out of one of their mouths!" I went to the door to look out and there were 2 fairly large (waste high), black and white, thick coated, curly tailed dogs (some type of northern, sled-dog type breed I would guess, still hanging around in our front yard, the chainlink gate off it's hinges, laying on the walkway. They looked to be escapees rather than strays. I opened the door and yelled something at them, but they didn't acknowledge me. After checking on my SO and Bruschi, when I returned to the door I saw them disappearing down the street. Seeing that there was some blood, but not sure how bad yet, we get in the car and head to the e-vet, about a 15 min drive. He had some labored breathing, but still very little blood, so we still thought it was hopefully minor. They took him in right away, and got us an update within about an hour. He was chomped really bad, and had several punctures with... "stuff" poking out in his abdominal region... they were really worried about those. They had to do x-rays and further cleaning/examining to be sure. Bill for what they had done and the tests they wanted to do: $800. Ok. Go ahead. After another hour or two, we got another update... Some of the punctures did go through into his abdomen, and those were intestines trying to get out. So, he would need a pretty major surgery to go in, clean it all out, put everything back where it belongs and sew him back up... Several days in the hospital minimum, about a 50/50 chance of recovery, new estimate and deposit required $4500+... Ok... Let's do the surgery. We went to see him last night (X-mas day) and got another update... Basically, while he's still 50/50, and still would have a pretty full recovery if he does make it through, it's getting even more difficult and expensive than they thought... New estimate in the 10-12k range... Ok... We'll do what we need to do to make that work.. keep going. So, that was about 12 hours ago, and no new updates yet (which should be good news, I guess), but he is still very touch and go. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers. 10 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Square Wheels Posted December 26, 2019 Share #2 Posted December 26, 2019 So very sorry. It's very dusty in here now. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Airehead Posted December 26, 2019 Share #3 Posted December 26, 2019 Oh dear. I am so so sorry 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maddmaxx ★ Posted December 26, 2019 Share #4 Posted December 26, 2019 Any clues yet on the source of the other dogs. Check with animal control etc. Somebody should be on the hook for the money you are laying out. Best wishes for a complete recovery for yours. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsharr ★ Posted December 26, 2019 Share #5 Posted December 26, 2019 So sorry. Prayers for all of ya'll. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reverend_Maynard Posted December 26, 2019 Author Share #6 Posted December 26, 2019 4 minutes ago, maddmaxx said: Any clues yet on the source of the other dogs. Check with animal control etc. Somebody should be on the hook for the money you are laying out. Best wishes for a complete recovery for yours. No. We called the police right away and filed a police report, but they hadn't turned up anything last we checked. Yes, I'm planning to keep working on finding the owners... Hopefully at the least we might see them in their yard, or being walked, while we are out in the neighborhood. I thought of some posters or something, but it's really hard to describe dogs you only saw for a few seconds with no pics. We'll keep checking with the local shelters and stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ralphie ★ Posted December 26, 2019 Share #7 Posted December 26, 2019 Man, that is horribibble. Hope the little guy recovers well. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wilbur ★ Posted December 26, 2019 Share #8 Posted December 26, 2019 Best wishes for a full recovery! Hang in there Bruschi! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kzoo Posted December 26, 2019 Share #9 Posted December 26, 2019 Sorry to hear this @Reverend_Maynard. Hope the recovery is quick. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petitepedal ★ Posted December 26, 2019 Share #10 Posted December 26, 2019 Sending out vibes and prayers for you all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reverend_Maynard Posted December 26, 2019 Author Share #11 Posted December 26, 2019 Just got off the phone with the vet... Bruschi seems to be doing a bit better today, so fingers still crossed, but looking up. They gave him some red blood cells yesterday that seem to have helped, so they will give him the rest today.. 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoseySusan Posted December 26, 2019 Share #12 Posted December 26, 2019 I’m so sorry. And kind of angry. No fair! It’s not right for those big dogs to break your gate down and chomp on your dog. ? I hope Bruschi feels better soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirby Posted December 26, 2019 Share #13 Posted December 26, 2019 So sorry to hear this, but glad the last update was good. I hope you continue to hear good news. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smudge ★ Posted December 27, 2019 Share #14 Posted December 27, 2019 Geez, what a mess!! Man alive, I sure hope you/authorities find out who the attack dogs belong to. Those people have a big vet bill to pay for you! Hang tough, little Bruschi! You have a great family and hopeful online friends pullin' for ya! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Reverend_Maynard Posted December 27, 2019 Author Popular Post Share #15 Posted December 27, 2019 He;s still hanging in there. It feels like one step forward, one step back right now, but he was definitely more alert last night. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smudge ★ Posted December 27, 2019 Share #16 Posted December 27, 2019 Maybe he had received fresh pain meds just before your visit. Maybe that's why he was sleepy. Tell us a little about the place treating him. Is it close to you? Is it a big place? Are there specialty surgeons? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reverend_Maynard Posted December 27, 2019 Author Share #17 Posted December 27, 2019 OMG... The place he's at must be the busiest emergency vet in the state. It's a lot like a human ER with all the hustle and bustle... new emergencies showing up every few minutes. If you've been in a human ICU, that's very much like where he is now. I feel bad for the poor guy, 'cause it's brightly lit and there's action happening all around him. 24/7... but he needs constant monitoring. There are lots of specialists, as it's also the place where most major surgeries in the state are performed. The resident who has been his primary doctor has been really great with keeping us informed and helping us make decisions. I'm sure some of you saw this coming... All this is going to be very expensive... current estimates up to $12k. Ofc, we wouldn't have them continue if we didn't intend to pay ourselves, or maybe find the owners of the dogs and try to get some out of them. but, hey, this is 2019 and gofundme is a thing, so we'll use the tools we have. https://www.gofundme.com/f/bruschi039s-bills?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet 1 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reverend_Maynard Posted December 27, 2019 Author Share #18 Posted December 27, 2019 I just got another update from the vet: He's doing a bit better again today... more alert. She said he got upset over something she was doing and really moved his head to tell her to cut it out (bit her? maybe), and he pulled his own urinary catheter out, so it'll need to be replaced and he'll need a cone now. :( Good news, I guess, if still guarded. Thanks for everything, everyone :D 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smudge ★ Posted December 27, 2019 Share #19 Posted December 27, 2019 It's a good sign when they feel well enough to stand up for themselves. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petitepedal ★ Posted December 27, 2019 Share #20 Posted December 27, 2019 I think having a cone is a good sign!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randomguy Posted December 27, 2019 Share #21 Posted December 27, 2019 Crap, this sucks! I am glad he is doing better, though, it sounds encouraging! When my dog got cancer, I stopped counting at 15K, and that was around month 5 after diagnosis, and she lived 3 1/2 years overall. They are family members, and they would spend it on you if you were sick, at least that is how I see it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reverend_Maynard Posted December 27, 2019 Author Share #22 Posted December 27, 2019 8 minutes ago, Randomguy said: Crap, this sucks! I am glad he is doing better, though, it sounds encouraging! When my dog got cancer, I stopped counting at 15K, and that was around month 5 after diagnosis, and she lived 3 1/2 years overall. They are family members, and they would spend it on you if you were sick, at least that is how I see it. Yeah, we have no kids, so they kind of fill that role for us. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smudge ★ Posted December 31, 2019 Share #23 Posted December 31, 2019 Do you have an update for us? (Please don't tell me there was an update, and it was bad...) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reverend_Maynard Posted December 31, 2019 Author Share #24 Posted December 31, 2019 I'm sorry i've neglected this thread... there are a lot of updates to give, and some are with less enthusiasm than others... This is going to be a hard update to write... Bruschi has a had a big setback, I'm afraid. He has suffered a stroke that has affected his vestibular system, such that he can't keep his balance, or hold his head straight. His head now constantly turns his head to the left, and he can't really stand at all. Unfortunately, if he doesn't improve quite a bit, he won't be able to come home and have any kind of quality of life. He'll be monitored overnight and reevaluated in the morning. Please keep him in your thoughts. 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reverend_Maynard Posted December 31, 2019 Author Share #25 Posted December 31, 2019 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrentonMakes Posted December 31, 2019 Share #26 Posted December 31, 2019 I didn't see this thread until this morning... so sorry to read about all this. Hoping for some good news today... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Digital_photog ★ Posted December 31, 2019 Share #27 Posted December 31, 2019 So sorry. I saw this on my phone a couple days ago and have trouble replying from the phone. Praying for the best. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petitepedal ★ Posted December 31, 2019 Share #28 Posted December 31, 2019 Sending you hugs and prayers... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smudge ★ Posted December 31, 2019 Share #29 Posted December 31, 2019 Awwwww, Bruschi!! So very sorry about this. All of the round the clock care, and they couldn't treat him for this right away? Damnit I hate all this! So very sorry ?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rattlecan ★ Posted December 31, 2019 Share #30 Posted December 31, 2019 This is so sad. Very sorry for what you and your little pal are going through. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Reverend_Maynard Posted December 31, 2019 Author Popular Post Share #31 Posted December 31, 2019 Bruschi was doing a bit better today. The turn of his head is not as severe and he was pretty alert. He was eating food and drinking water from syringes , and making a mess! His wounds are still getting better, with only one that is still draining much. His belly looks really good. They are weaning him off the pain meds. His pee is almost back to a normal color. But he does still have the head turn, is pretty shaky, and can't really stand or even sit up by himself... We are hoping for significant improvement, but there's no way to know. 5 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wilbur ★ Posted December 31, 2019 Share #32 Posted December 31, 2019 Go Bruschi, Go! Get well, little one. 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parsnip Totin Jack ★ Posted December 31, 2019 Share #33 Posted December 31, 2019 Pull thru big dog! You can do it! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirby Posted January 1, 2020 Share #34 Posted January 1, 2020 Sending prayers and good thoughts to Bruschi! Hoping for good news. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smudge ★ Posted January 1, 2020 Share #35 Posted January 1, 2020 Man oh man! Is he all pink from bruising?? Poor guy. I hope he can gain more ground from that stroke. Dang! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reverend_Maynard Posted January 1, 2020 Author Share #36 Posted January 1, 2020 3 minutes ago, smudge said: Man oh man! Is he all pink from bruising?? Poor guy. I hope he can gain more ground from that stroke. Dang! It's hard to say how pink he normally is, 'cause he's covered in fur. but i guess his foreleg would be the normal level of pink. the rest is probably bruised Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Square Wheels Posted January 7, 2020 Share #37 Posted January 7, 2020 @Reverend_Maynard, we need an update. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Reverend_Maynard Posted January 7, 2020 Author Popular Post Share #38 Posted January 7, 2020 After 2 full weeks in the hospital... Bruschi is scheduled to go home with us tonight at 6pm! He's on all oral meds, has all his drains, stitches, and staples out, and is eating and drinking well. We'll have to continue his physical therapy at home, but he is getting stronger everyday, and hopefully can do even better at home. 5 6 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrentonMakes Posted January 7, 2020 Share #39 Posted January 7, 2020 wow, that's awesome news! Best wishes for Bruschi's recovery! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Digital_photog ★ Posted January 7, 2020 Share #40 Posted January 7, 2020 Good news. When we didn't hear anything I was fearing the worst. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Square Wheels Posted January 7, 2020 Share #41 Posted January 7, 2020 YAY!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reverend_Maynard Posted January 7, 2020 Author Share #42 Posted January 7, 2020 57 minutes ago, Digital_photog said: Good news. When we didn't hear anything I was fearing the worst. Sorry, there was another update thread that also happened and you may have missed. Things were looking very dire on Thursday, but by Saturday he had rebounded pretty good. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Airehead Posted January 8, 2020 Share #43 Posted January 8, 2020 Fabulous news! I am giving Ryan and Paulie a treat in celebration. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Reverend_Maynard Posted January 8, 2020 Author Popular Post Share #44 Posted January 8, 2020 He's home! He's got a lot of meds, and is super unsteady on his feet, but he's doing good. 3 6 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Longjohn ★ Posted January 8, 2020 Share #45 Posted January 8, 2020 11 minutes ago, Reverend_Maynard said: He's home! He's got a lot of meds, and is super unsteady on his feet, but he's doing good. YAY! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smudge ★ Posted January 8, 2020 Share #46 Posted January 8, 2020 He looks quite pleased to be home. It seems he feels better now. He'll start making progress by leaps and bounds now! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wilbur ★ Posted January 8, 2020 Share #47 Posted January 8, 2020 Happy news! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Square Wheels Posted January 11, 2020 Share #48 Posted January 11, 2020 Some very sad news. I get updates from his GoFundMe page. Bruschi died this morning. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petitepedal ★ Posted January 11, 2020 Share #49 Posted January 11, 2020 Hugs to @Reverend_Maynard and Mrs. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wilbur ★ Posted January 11, 2020 Share #50 Posted January 11, 2020 I have had enough of today.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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