Good SAM
Recipients
“HeMan” is 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 hearts 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 is a pacemaker.
Henri is a 7 year old
Golden Retriever that had a golf ball size soft tissue sarcoma removed from
below the elbow. Microscopic tumor cells remained following surgery so local
tumor regrowth 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.
Unfortunately, the owners are both disabled and were unable to afford the treatment without the help of the Good Sam Fund. They were very thankful to be able to receive the assistance. They also appreciated the love and care Henri received from the staff during the treatment. Henri is now finished with treatment and doing well.
Buster Douglas is a 9 month of male American Bulldog. The previous owner was a friend of the family and he was not addressing the fact that Buster was continuously squinting, tearing and rubbing his eyes. He also kept Buster tied up outside without adequate shelter.
Buster Douglas was “rescued” from his previous owner and presented to us for evaluation of entropion. During the visit, we learned that the new owner was a single father, raising five young children on his own since his wife was killed by a drunken driver in April. He did not ask for assistance but stated that paying would be hard on his family but he was willing to do whatever was necessary to alleviate Buster’s suffering.
Surgery was performed on July 13, 2004 and it successfully corrected his entropion. Buster Douglas is now home and doing well.
Eliza Doolittle is a three year old Red Small mixed breed
dog. She jumped off a bed and hurt herself. After trying
Prednisone therapy Eliza Doolittle was referred to surgery for acute onset
progressive rear limb paresis. Eliza Doolittle is recovering well after
surgery. Eliza Doolittle's owner is a senior citizen living with limited
funds so she was
very happy to be able to save her faithful companion.
Angel Joy is an adorable little Maltese dog who is the only companion for her elderly owner, and the first dog she ever owned. Although she was just over one year in age, Angel Joy 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 and has a good prognosis with treatment. Unfortunately, although Angel Joy’s owner had pet insurance, it would not cover the cost of surgery as the problem was considered a congenital defect, and she was not able to pay for the surgery due to her limited income (a significant portion of which had already been spent on diagnosing the problem). 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 Joy’s surgery was a complete success, and she now enjoys running around like the puppy she never had a chance to be!
Daisy is a sweet 5 year old Basset Hound. She was initially presented for 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. They have four children and the mother had recently had surgery herself. The eye problem began on one of their daughter’s birthday and she was heartbroken at the thought of losing her dog. Fortunately for the family, The Good Sam Fund was able to help out and Daisy has a good prognosis.
Siren
Siren is a 6 year Bichon Frise that came to MedVet because of a pigmented area on his eye. Siren is his mom’s life. She was concerned about the spot and wanted to have an ophthalmologist examine his eye. Dr. Wyman diagnosed the pigmented area as a melanoma that needed to be surgically removed. The mass would need to be removed soon while it was still small. If the mass continued to grow, Siren’s eye would potentially need to be removed. If the mass was removed now, Siren’s eye would be saved. Siren’s mom was devastated. She works full time, does artwork to supplement her income, and is taking care of her ill mother. She couldn’t afford the surgery at this time. Dr. Wyman made arrangements to have the Good Sam Fund help finance the surgery. Siren had surgery and has recovered beautifully. The histopathology report said that all of the melanoma was removed and that there should be no recurrence. Siren’s mom was very happy that we could save Siren’s eye and incredibly grateful for the help that the Good Sam Fund gave her.
"Chili" July 22, 2003
A heart felt story about a Golden Retriever and his guardian angel, the Good Samaritan.
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 she immediately decided to assume financial responsibility for his emergency care. There were complications to Chili’s 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 to his grateful owner. Chili is at home recovering from his surgery and we hear he is doing just fine.
"Milo" October 14, 2002
We would like to share with you a very touching story of a boy and his dog. " Milo" is not your average Pomeranian. He is quite exceptional as you will soon find out. Milo’s owner is a young boy that suffers from brain cancer. Seven years ago, the Make a Wish Foundation granted this boy his wish, a pet of his own. As Milo and his boy’s love grew a special bond developed. Over time Milo became able to detect the onset of his boy’s brain seizures 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 and his family received some attention through our local media outlets. Through the generosity of Central Ohioans who responded, we were able to decrease costs down to a manageable level.
Milo went through his surgery and is doing very well thanks to the caring professionals at MedVet. Mrs. Turner expressed her gratitude and described the professionals at MedVet as "true angels".
Patient: Milo:
September 9 2002
Milo is a 3-year old cat that was hit by a car in the face. His jaw was traumatically injured. The owners, a young couple, rushed Milo to their regular vet who attempted to work with Milo’s jaw. It was soon evident that Milo was going to need some extra care and recommended they bring it to MedVet. The jaw was "stuck" in a position that would not allow Milo to open his mouth. The couple was upset and wanted to help their pet, but they did not have enough money to pay for the repair. Good SAM was able to add to their funds and contribute enough money to make the repair to Milo’s jaw a reality. It wasn’t long that he was once again meowing with joy at the sight of his owners.
Patient: Alize:
August 14, 2003
Alize presented to the ER in early August as a "Hit By Car" casualty. She had suffered severe facial fractures. The ER stabilized her and referred to a surgeon for a consult on surgical treatment and repair. The owners decided to allow the surgeon to undertake the extensive repair that was necessary to try to restore Alize’s face, gladly depleting all their savings for the sake of their pet.
Upon recovery from this facial repair surgery, it was found that Alize also had a radius/ulnar fracture which would require plating to repair. The owners were devastated. Although this last step of the repair was not very expensive, the owners had already wiped out their savings on the first surgery. Good Sam Funds were approved to help complete the care necessary to bring Alize back to her happy, "smiling" and playful self. Once again, the family is intact and Alize continues to shower her owners with unconditional love.
7-16-02: Silk’s owner was away from home for several days. His neighbor was watching his dog, but when he got home he found that a small spot on Silk’s ear before he had left had now grown into a messy infection. Upon exam, it was discovered that Silk had severe dermatitis and an infection from scratching at his ear. He had rubbed his ears on the fence so much that the exterior was cut up and bleeding.
Silk’s owner was in the middle of his own medical problems and money was very short. Silk is the pet and comforter to this family of 4 children. Silk’s owner’s personal medical bills were skyrocketing. He could only afford a portion of the treatment that Silk needed. Silk’s recovery was guaranteed with proper treatment. With this scenario in place, Good SAM stepped in to help with a portion of the care. Silk was released under his owner’s loving care to head home to 4 waiting children.
7/12/02 "Corgi-Boy" was hit by a car and picked up by a veterinary technician at a general practice in the city and brought to the ER at MedVet. The dog had a crushed pelvis. He was treated for pain and calls were put out to alert agancies that he was here, should the owners be looking for him. No one called to claim him, and he was sent to the Animal Shelter. The tech who saved "Corgi-Boy" asked her veterinarian to intercede and save the dog. The doctor and her staff members rescued it from Animal Control and called our Surgery Department to find how much the surgery it needed to pin its pelvis together would cost. Their clinic came up with half the funding for the project and a promise that they would find it a good home. The dog was relatively young and the surgery was fairly straightforward and uncomplicated. Good SAM funded the remaining half of the surgery. The clinic staff came to pick him up with many smiles and many promises that he would be loved and cared for in his many days to come.
Snow White 6-10-02
Snow White came into the ER for heat stroke. She was treated and transferred to Internal Medicine for 3 days of follow up hospital care. Her owner traveled in her job and was to be back to pick up Snow White by the end of the week. Instead of the owner arriving, the clinic received a call that the owner was in a severe car wreck. Her husband was killed and she was in a coma. The clinic held the cat until the owner was out of the hospital. The owner was just to start a new job when this accident occurred. The circumstances and the stress the owner went through certainly qualified Snow White as a candidate for Good Sam Funds. Finances were running short. The clinic agreed to "babysit" Snow White until the owner was feeling well enough to retrieve her again. They were reunited 3 weeks after the accident and were very happy to be in each other’s arms again.
Patient: "Lucky"
March 29, 2002
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. The wife had Alzheimers disease. Their personal funds had been made fairly limited by the expenses involved in her care.
Lucky would require the removal of a lung. With this surgery, Lucky’s life could resume in a healthy state. Lucky was a companion pet that provided therapy and love to this couple.
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"
Lexi Lou is a little white teacup poodle, 9 weeks old. The new addition to a young couple’s life, 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 young couple had become attached to their new "baby". The husband is in the military and the couple is just starting to put their lives together. The financial burden of this surgery was beyond their means.
The Good SAM Fund reviewed this case and decided to offer some assistance toward the surgery.
Lexi came through her surgery with flying colors and went home the next day. The appreciative parents showered "thank yous" amongst their tears of joy on getting their little Lexi Lou back.
"Max"
November 2001
Max, like all Border Collies, likes to run. He had his left knee successfully repaired in the Spring of 2001. But by November, Max’s right knee needed surgery. Life hadn’t stood still for Max’s owner either. The owner was undergoing extensive radiation therapy for cancer treatment. Medical expenses were mounting. The relationship between Max and his owner was an integral part of his wellness. GoodSAM helped Max get his knee repaired so he could, in turn, help his owner by giving his unconditional support and love.
Meet
Stinky.....
John (not actual name) was the proud owner of 2 normal, healthy cats. In
a matter of 24 hours, this changed drastically. On the morning of July
9, 2001, things in John's household seemed a bit topsy-turvey. 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. Unfortunately, he was
given an estimate of $1000 to run diagnostics and treatment and a possible
additional $1000-$1500 for surgery, if it might be needed. All of this
was a bit overwhelming for John, who, as a student, just couldn't afford these
costs.
Stinky was obstructed. John, not understanding the seriousness of the
condition and, feeling as if he had no options, took "Stinky" 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 was recently a victim of a random act of violence. He suffered extensive physical injury and had
a multitude of medical bills for the treatment and surgery he had undergone. Coupled with the burden of his assault, is a heavy medical debt that will
take him years to repay.
The Good SAM Fund approved Stinky as a recipient for financial assistance. The ER went into action. The emergency veterinarian was able to unblock
him and stabilize him for the night. The next morning, Stinky seemed to be
back to his normal, affectionate self. Stinky had a consult with an Internist
in the morning. His tests all pointed to a complete recovery without the
need for surgical intervention. Without the action of the ER and specialist
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.
Little Jenna was a 6-week old white and gray kitten that came to the ER is an emergency condition. She was undernourished and had been attacked by a dog. She had been bitten in the eye. The eye was out of the socket and damaged. By the time she arrived in the ER, the eye was destroyed and needed to be removed. The owner signed the cat over to MedVet. The damaged eye was now life threatening. Without the eye, the cat had a good prognosis for a long healthy life. An adoptive owner was found. Good SAM covered the eye procedure and all additional hospital care was covered by the new owner. Little Jenna is petite, but rules the house. She plays until she is sleepy, then finds the family dog and cuddles snugly up against him to nap in mouse-filled slumber.