🐨 Koala update : 3/28

Overnight Koalas condition took a turn for the worse. Her gums went even paler, she started urinating blood and we knew whatever she has is destroying all the progress her little 34lb body is trying to make.

She was immediately rushed to NC State Veterinary Emergency Department and quickly taken back for triage. The NC State team believes the IMHA is a secondary condition to whatever it is she if fighting.

Speaking with the veterinarian on her case, yet again the word “Babesia” came up. We have suspected it yet during a previous blood smear it was not seen. Many of our followers, adopters, and supporters have yelled this word from the rooftops, vet teams have discussed it yet nobody has been able to provide a diagnosis. We have been to 3 facilities, seen over 8 doctors and still seek just one answer. What is trying to take her from us?

The symptoms of Babesia were all there, the very things we’ve been seeing plague her
Fever, Weakness, Lethary, Pale Gums, Jaundice, Anemia, weightloss, enlarged spleen, dark urine and more…

Veterinarians typically diagnose Babesia by a combination of clinical signs, history of exposure to ticks, and laboratory tests such as a Blood Smear, Serology, and/or a PCR.

Blood smear examinations can provide rapid results, often within hours, while serology and PCR testing may take a few days to a week for results.

When the medical team called us we absolutely burst into joyous tears to know :

WE HAVE A CONFIRMED DIAGNOSIS!!

By the grace of god, 🐨 Koala’s medical team miraculously seen a perfect image of the Babesia parasite immediately on the blood smear saving days to weeks of trying to keep her alive long enough to get the results of other testing. Her blood had been looked at before yet the parasite was not present or missed!

Koala will be hospitalized for the night and starting treatment right away, for the parasite to be seen in such clarity is quite rare and we are so thankful for the teams knowledge, quick actions and determination to find an answer.

We have raised enough money so far to cover 8 vets, 3 facilities and to get us this ANSWER! We are so incredibly overwhelmed and thankful for the outpouring of support, messages, prayers, positive thoughts and phone calls we have received!

Koala still has to overcome this. Her PCV is holding steady, she lost the 4% she gained yet is at 20%. Her bone marrow is doing what it should and working overtime helping support her body by producing blood cells yet it’s still critical we help stop the destruction through medical intervention.

We received an additional estimate for her care of $3000-$5000 for her treatment and hospitalization at NC State. We knew going in this was going to be a battle that depleted resources quickly yet we were ready to beg, borrow and plead to save this girl.

We promised her a Second Chance and that’s exactly what we intend to give her. We’ve held this dog in our arms, cleaned her wounds, hand fed her and watch the sparkle in her eyes slowly start to come back to us… we are not losing her now.

Please if you can help or share her story we are almost there! This girl is going to make it!

Note: Please we cannot voice this enough, KEEP YOUR PETS PROTECTED WITH FLEA/TICK PREVENTION YEAR-ROUND! $15 a month will prevent this, don’t allow a little bit of savings take your pets life!

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Urgent Fundraiser Alert!

We are reaching out to ask for your help and share an update on Koala, our beloved girl who's been facing some serious health challenges lately. Over the past few weeks, Koala hasn't been feeling her best, and after numerous tests, she's been diagnosed with IMHA – a condition where her own body is mistakenly attacking her red blood cells.

The situation has been touch-and-go. Koala's hematocrit levels have fluctuated dramatically, and yesterday , they took a dangerous plunge to just 10. She's currently undergoing a life-saving blood transfusion, but the road ahead is uncertain, and we need your help more than ever.

We're rallying around Koala, determined to give her every fighting chance. But the challenges keep coming. In addition to preparing for a second blood transfusion, Koala may require surgery to remove her inflamed spleen. The initial estimates for these procedures range from $3200 to $4500, and we've already put $1700 down.

We can only keep going with the help of our community. So many animals rely on us, and unforeseen complications like this require additional resources. Your support is crucial in ensuring Koala gets the care she desperately needs.

Please, consider making a donation to Koala's fundraiser. Every dollar counts, and every positive thought you send her way makes a difference. Let's show Koala and her foster family that they're not alone – that they have a whole community standing behind them, ready to support them through this challenging time.

Thank you for being part of our Second Chance Family and for your unwavering kindness and generosity. Together, we can give Koala the fighting chance she deserves.

Donate now and spread the word: https://givebutter.com/SaveKoalasLife

Koala came to us a month ago after an emergency call from one of our local shelters. We rushed to pick her up and found she was covered in wounds, missing her ear flaps and suffering from a horrible infection due to her condition going uncared for. We immediately took her to our vet partners and started working on treatment which her body responded to very well. Cleared from the infection having regained her energy and was becoming a bundle of smiles! This all came on out of nowhere as she was gaining weight, ear infection cleared up, and her wounds had healed. This news came very unexpected and we are desperate to help this girl pull through. Her body has fought so hard she needs our help to keep fighting.

Save Koala's Life!

By SECOND CHANCE PET ADOPTIONS INC

Save Koala's Life!

Save Koala's Life!

Team Members