I have created this page for my dear friend, Anne, and her dog, Spright, who need our help paying Spright's recent emergency vet bills. Please read Anne's words below, and thank you in advance for your support!
Dear Friends and Dog Lovers,
Recently my beautiful Airedale Spright experienced a life-threatening medical emergency.
On 10/09/2026, Spright suddenly experienced a splenic rupture from a tumor on her spleen. The spleen and tumor were both removed. However, in addition to this, Spright experienced extreme pain and agitation from what is medically known as Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDVD).
This condition is commonly known as “Bloat” and is a life-threatening emergency whereby the stomach fills rapidly with gas, fluid, or food and twists on its axis.
This cuts off blood flow, traps contents, causes severe shock, and can be fatal within just a couple of hours without immediate veterinary care. I have seen this condition before years ago and recognized the symptoms immediately. It is more common in large, barrel-chested dogs.
Fortunately, I was home at the time of occurrence and rushed her to the emergency room. It was necessary for her to be transported to a more high-tech facility to have the surgery performed. This occurred during the wee hours of the next morning. I snapped the photo below while she was in recovery after surgery. I didn’t see her move even an eyelash for the first few days.
After spending nearly a week recovering in the hospital, I am very happy to report that Spright is doing well and is on the mend at home where she is resting comfortably. Prior to this medical emergency, Spright has experienced excellent health and has been physically fit. She and I are accustomed to walking a mile or two every day in the park.
Although Spright was adopted from New England Airedale Rescue, in an effort to give back to the Airedale community, Spright’s photos have appeared for the last six years in the Starting Over Airedale Rescue datebooks. It is her effort to help raise funds for Airedales in need who find themselves with medical expenses or are being rehomed through rescue work.
After receiving care in a beautiful state of the art 24-hour care emergency hospital, Spright’s bills have become astronomical. Now, Spright is in need of YOUR financial assistance to help recoup some of the expenses incurred by being cared for in a 24-hour critical care unit. Without the outstanding surgery and after-care that she received she would have died.
I would greatly appreciate any monetary donation you are comfortable making to help defray the crushing bills with which I am now faced. I had to resort to a lender for a partial loan as the bills have been extensive.
Although Spright is now recovering very well at home, her red blood cell count is still low. She will need to have blood draws every couple of months from my regular Vet to keep an eye on her red blood cell count until it returns to within a normal again. This was caused by the extreme amount of blood loss when her spleen ruptured.
Spright will be having her stitches and staples removed this week. Financially this has been devastating for me. I am thanking you in advance for making a donation of any amount to help defray some or all of the cost incurred. Please do not feel compelled to donate beyond your means, no matter the size of the amount every dollar helps.
Last but not least I am happy to report that the surgeon called me personally to inform me that the biopsy report regarding Spright’s tumor on her ruptured spleen came back negative for cancer. It was the best news ever and has let me breathe a sigh of relief.
Wishing you best barks and wags, “Spright” and Anne
