"Make It So" For Riker: Puppy Treatment, Surgery Funds

In August 2024, Nolan and I took in a rescue puppy who was abandoned in a box with his siblings at a Taco Bell in Pontoon Beach. We named him Riker after Jonathan Frakes's character in Star Trek: The Next Generation, and are so fortunate to have our own "Number One" as an addition to our family (Wisdom DNA kit says he's a Pitsky)! After his first vet visit, he checked out as a healthy pup, free of parvo, etc.

But at just 9 weeks old, Riker began urinating blood which prompted us immediately to take him to the emergency vet. Given a UTI diagnosis, the vet was transparent in that it was odd for a pup of his age and sex to have a UTI. He was responsive to the first round of antibiotics, but it returned and persisted. After the third round of antibiotics was unsuccessful, we took Riker to get an abdominal ultrasound. This revealed a tear with his right kidney and we were referred to internal medicine for a consultation and to review treatment plan options. Internal medicine advised that Riker is too young for the scope, but given what we know so far in that the tear needs to be closed, anticipates that treatment can range anywhere from $5-$10k. Treatment would be either sclerotherapy (two routes within this) or a nephrectomy. There was an emphasis that this was extremely bizarre for a puppy and we may need to take a road trip to a university or another facility, depending on availability. The 'who' of it all is the hold-up; they're calling around.

Until then, Riker is on a prescription medication (Telmisartan) that helps slow the bleeding and we're keeping his iron up; check-ups scheduled. He is acting his normal self and we are managing until he's ready for scope.

With our recent unexpected move and another emergency vet visit for our cat Frankie -- he's okay! -- Nolan's family has volunteered to help with Riker's vet bills, but the diagnosis and these treatment costs were wildly unexpected for all of us. We'd do anything to keep our fur babies in good health and are exploring ways to fundraise for his vet and treatment costs. Riker, Nolan, and I are so grateful for any amount or share as we try to give him a chance at the life that someone else recklessly abandoned.