Tallulah's Vet Fund
Donation protected
First of all, I appreciate you taking the time to read this and for considering any sort of donation. The bills are overwhelming and I'm putting my pride aside to ask for help.
Early December, I took Tallulah to her usual vet, Brooklyn Cares, for seasonal allergy issues. She had a bad reaction of open sores and scabby skin. The vet bill that day was about $350, which included medication and shampoo. Her skin healed quickly and we headed to San Antonio for holiday festivities.
In the middle of the night, January 3rd, Tallulah had some sort of “episode.” She yelped out in pain, seized up, went limp and involuntarily went to the bathroom. She was breathing, but very unresponsive. This was terrifying, as you can imagine. Nothing like this had ever happened. We took her to a 24-hour emergency vet clinic in Texas, Becker Animal Hospital. They gave her steroids and IV fluids, telling me it was Anaphylactic shock and that she was near death. Thankfully, within 20 minutes, she seemed fine. They kept her overnight and discharged her, telling me that it was very rare and most likely wouldn’t happen again. They charged about $750.
The flight back to NYC went well, but on the night of January 5th, it DID happen again. I kept a cool head the first time, but this time, I was a mess. I didn't know what it could mean. All I knew is I had to get her to an ER fast. I ran to a cab and took her to Verg where she has been going back since. That initial visit was $1,843.
They did a lot of guesswork. They told me she was most likely fainting and probably had diabetes. At the time, they also ruled out heart murmur problems.
Tests, tests, so many tests!
After her sugar levels normalized, the hospital told me that they ruled out diabetes, heart disease and a random allergy. Then they said it’s possibly seizures related to a stroke. They wouldn’t know for sure without an MRI (which costs about $2,500-$3,000).
They put her on 5 medications for high blood pressure, anti-convulsants, better liver enzymes and anti-nausea. Initially, she was incredibly sick and anxious on these meds, but has adjusted. My worst fear is that she will have another “episode” and I won’t be here. There’s been a lot of sleepless nights the past few weeks as I watch her closely.
They had me go back for a mandatory checkup, which cost $307.20. Her test for Addison’s disease, which came back negitive, cost another $241.98. I spoke to the vet here and the one in Texas, who agreed, it was the next best option. I was hoping for an answer but nope, it's still a mystery.
On February 1st, after nearly a month on multiple medications, she had another "episode/seizure." I took her to the ER and they charged me another $2,000 for more tests. It was a total shock because she seemed to be doing so well.
They added another medication and soon I will be meeting with the neurologist at Verg. The doctor already told me that an MRI is the next best step. I can't even fathom paying so much for one test.
This money will help me get back on my feet. Figuring this out has been incredibly complicated and costly. Multiple ER visits have been necessary as we get to the bottom of this.
Thank you, thank you so much, I appreciate it more than you know. It warms my heart that so many people care about and support my little fur-baby.
Much love from me and Tallulah. xoxo
Early December, I took Tallulah to her usual vet, Brooklyn Cares, for seasonal allergy issues. She had a bad reaction of open sores and scabby skin. The vet bill that day was about $350, which included medication and shampoo. Her skin healed quickly and we headed to San Antonio for holiday festivities.
In the middle of the night, January 3rd, Tallulah had some sort of “episode.” She yelped out in pain, seized up, went limp and involuntarily went to the bathroom. She was breathing, but very unresponsive. This was terrifying, as you can imagine. Nothing like this had ever happened. We took her to a 24-hour emergency vet clinic in Texas, Becker Animal Hospital. They gave her steroids and IV fluids, telling me it was Anaphylactic shock and that she was near death. Thankfully, within 20 minutes, she seemed fine. They kept her overnight and discharged her, telling me that it was very rare and most likely wouldn’t happen again. They charged about $750.
The flight back to NYC went well, but on the night of January 5th, it DID happen again. I kept a cool head the first time, but this time, I was a mess. I didn't know what it could mean. All I knew is I had to get her to an ER fast. I ran to a cab and took her to Verg where she has been going back since. That initial visit was $1,843.
They did a lot of guesswork. They told me she was most likely fainting and probably had diabetes. At the time, they also ruled out heart murmur problems.
Tests, tests, so many tests!
After her sugar levels normalized, the hospital told me that they ruled out diabetes, heart disease and a random allergy. Then they said it’s possibly seizures related to a stroke. They wouldn’t know for sure without an MRI (which costs about $2,500-$3,000).
They put her on 5 medications for high blood pressure, anti-convulsants, better liver enzymes and anti-nausea. Initially, she was incredibly sick and anxious on these meds, but has adjusted. My worst fear is that she will have another “episode” and I won’t be here. There’s been a lot of sleepless nights the past few weeks as I watch her closely.
They had me go back for a mandatory checkup, which cost $307.20. Her test for Addison’s disease, which came back negitive, cost another $241.98. I spoke to the vet here and the one in Texas, who agreed, it was the next best option. I was hoping for an answer but nope, it's still a mystery.
On February 1st, after nearly a month on multiple medications, she had another "episode/seizure." I took her to the ER and they charged me another $2,000 for more tests. It was a total shock because she seemed to be doing so well.
They added another medication and soon I will be meeting with the neurologist at Verg. The doctor already told me that an MRI is the next best step. I can't even fathom paying so much for one test.
This money will help me get back on my feet. Figuring this out has been incredibly complicated and costly. Multiple ER visits have been necessary as we get to the bottom of this.
Thank you, thank you so much, I appreciate it more than you know. It warms my heart that so many people care about and support my little fur-baby.
Much love from me and Tallulah. xoxo
Organizer
Kristina Uriegas-Reyes
Organizer
Brooklyn, NY