Hollywood Leonardo's Surgeries

Hi everyone. My little dachshund Hollywood Leonardo passed away on July 25th, 2023 after complications from 2 surgeries. He had just turned 7 years old on June 1st. I maxed out my credit cards to pay for his surgeries. The two surgeries and cremation totaled around $5,000. I would have paid anything to save my boy and get him back because he was a priceless and darling friend who deserved many more wonderful years on this earth.

I am in graduate school and have over $50,000 in student loans, so money is very tight right now.

If you can donate anything at all to help pay for at least his 1st surgery which cost $2,310 that would be such a blessing.

The vets said he had foreign objects in both his stomach & intestines. During the 1st surgery, half of his intestines were removed. The vet said he was in critical condition, but he was sent home 48 hours later.

He stopped eating & refused to walk.

He was readmitted back to the hospital on Saturday to receive fluids & antibiotics via IV.

I received a call that he was experiencing severe sepsis & had to undergo a second emergency surgery to repair the intestinal leakage.

When I was able to visit him shortly after the surgery, he was essentially on life support.

While under anesthesia, his blood pressure had dropped very low. It was discovered that because of the 1st surgery, he had developed pancreatitis. His body temperature was also dropping, and he had to be wrapped in a body warming device. He was receiving plasma transfusions and glucose injections due to a drop in blood sugar levels.

The next morning, I received a call that he had survived the night and was much more alert. Everyone seemed optimistic about his recovery as his vitals were returning to a more normal level.

I went to visit him soon after and was even allowed to hold him. I could see that he was in tremendous pain after this second surgery. By this time, he still had not eaten a meal in over 4 days.

I spent some time with him, but I was afraid for him to be off of his IV medicine for too long. If only I had known this was the last time I would be with my friend, I would have stayed longer.

On Tuesday morning, I received the devastating phone call that my sweet Leo had passed away in his sleep.

The fact that he was being taken outside to the bathroom at the vet in over 120 degree heat did not help his condition. This was really upsetting to learn that he wasn't being kept inside with AC for bathroom breaks.

I really am so shocked and saddened at how his life ended in this horrible way.

Rest in Peace, my sweet Leonardo.

Thank you to everyone. I would be very appreciative and grateful if you can help out.