On March 20th, Milo, a beloved family dog, experienced a near-drowning event after falling into a creek. His family rushed him to our facility after noticing he was having significant difficulty breathing. Upon presentation, Milo's x-rays revealed severe changes and fluid build-up in his lungs, caused by a combination of aspirating water, pneumonia, and pulmonary edema.
To save Milo, we immediately began and maintained him on High Flow Oxygen for the next nine days. This advanced therapy allowed us to deliver a higher volume of humidified oxygen than standard oxygen therapy, a critical step just below being placed on a ventilator. Without this capability, Milo very likely would not have survived.
Milo's treatment was aggressive and comprehensive. We used a combination of oxygen therapy, medications to reduce the fluid build-up in his lungs, antibiotics, pain medications, and anti-nausea medications. Our amazing ICU nurses provided intensive nursing care, managing a large dog that was unable to walk more than a few steps without becoming winded and out of breath.
Slow and gradual improvement was seen over the course of his hospitalization. By Day 9, Milo was able to be weaned off of oxygen, and he was discharged home on Day 10, March 30th.
"Milo was playing in the creek like he normally does every weekend. There was a tree that fell, and he couldn't go around it, only under it. He didn't make it up until my son dove in and pushed him towards the shore. We thought he was dead. We were able to get him out of the water and up to the trail. The water was so frigid that day. He walked 796 steps uphill to get to the warm car. He wanted to live. He began to decline, so we brought him to Live Well urgent care. Once we arrived, Milo began to drool excessively and was not able to stand. The vet gave him a shot to help with the transport to your facility. Once we arrived, you greeted us and took Milo instantly back to assess and stabilize. Without your prompt care and expertise, Milo wouldn't be here today.
You made us aware of all the charges and kept us updated through the entire process. There wasn't a moment I felt like I wasn't informed about his care plan and status. The attention he received was reassuring, like you understood his importance to us. We appreciated the pictures you took and valued the visits we were able to have with him.
Thank you for saving Milo and putting your own funds into helping him recover without any issues. We are very grateful for your care!", Lisa Manco, Milo’s owner.
Milo's story is a testament to the advanced veterinary care we provide and the dedication of our team. However, many pets in our community need similar life-saving treatments. Our partnership with the non-profit organization, myBalto, is committed to helping pets like Milo receive the care they need.
We rely on donations from generous individuals and organizations to continue our mission. If you would like to support our efforts and help pets in our community, please consider donating to myBalto. Your contribution can make a significant difference in the lives of pets and their families.
Together, we can ensure that every pet has the chance to live a healthy and happy life. Thank you for your support!
