By Lorraine Aubert | Executive Director
Sepsis is a life-threatning illness caused by infection. Once a person or animal goes into Septic Shock, it is an emergency and sadly, many don't survive. Lorraine received a phone call from Missy's foster mom letting her know that Missy wasn't acting right and that she had suddenly lost the ability to stand or walk. She also wasn't eating. We knew that Missy had some residual pieces of metal in her gizzard after her previous veterinary workups and her episodes of GI blockage. Lorraine made immediate plans to pickup Missy and get her to Medical Center For Birds (MCFB). Lorraine arrived at MCFB after hours at 8 PM at night. Dr. Gianopolis was still in the office and immediately recognized Missy was serious. She was rushed to the back office where she was placed on oxygen and IV fluids. Missy was in Septic Shock. Dr. Speer arrived shortly after and the doctors worked for an hour and half saving Missy's life.
Lorraine spent all night with Missy, waking up to give her medication during the early morning hours. The doctors said there was a good chance that Missy would not survive the night. Lorraine was ecstatic to see that Missy had made it through the night. She took her back to MCFB that morning where Missy was hospitalized and underwent additional diagnostics and treatment.
Dr. Speer found that Missy had a piece of metal that had migrated out of her gizzard and into her abdomen. Missy needed surgery to save her life. Her uric acid levels were very high indicating kidney failure, her white blood cell count was high, hematocrit was low, and Dr. Speer said she was not stable enough for surgery. On the third day of hospitalization, it was evident that surgery was imminent. Dr. Speer and Lorraine discussed it and the decision was made to take Missy to surgery. Joyfully, Missy survived again!
Missy's lab values improved after surgery and she was drinking water on her own although she was still not eating, standing, or walking. We had great hope for her, believing that she just needed time to heal and with great nursing care, she would be back to her hissy attitude again.
It has been over 3 months since Missy's emergency and surgery. She had to be tube for 2 months, medicated twice daily, and given physical therapy multiple times daily. Lorraine was so happy to see her appetite come back so she no longer needed tube feedings. While Missy still cannot stand or walk, she attempts it. She can stand in her pool, and she can scoot on the ground very quickly kicking her feet behind her. A kind and gracious donor purchased a wheelchair for Missy and Lorraine continues to do physical therapy with her in hopes that she will learn to walk again. Today, Missy is healthy, hissing, and has lots of goositude!
Pacific Waterfowl Rescue could not have done this without your help. Your donations allowed us to save Missy's life and give her the treatment she deserves. It has been a joyful experience to see her progress and we still believe that she will someday walk again, thanks to our #WaterfowlWarriors!
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