Hi everyone,
TL;DR: My baby girl Toki is having lung complications and pneumonia from her heart stopping after aspirating on her vomit. She’s also having complications from her liver disease. We could appreciate any help if you are able. ♡
We’re reaching out to ask for support for our beloved dog, Toki. She’s an 11-year-old Shih Tzu with the gentlest heart. She has been part of our lives since 2014, and she’s more than just a pet. She’s truly family.
Toki is quiet and sweet, but she’s also got a little spunk. Her tongue always sticks out in the cutest way, and she has this calming presence that has helped us through tough times. Whether we were dealing with sadness or stress, Toki was always there, curling up next to us and offering comfort in her own way. She’s grown up with us, and we can’t imagine life without her.
What Happened
Recently, Toki stopped eating, and our vet suspected tooth pain. She was prescribed a sedative painkiller, but soon after, her condition quickly declined. She became extremely drowsy and developed ataxia, and then she vomited. Because she couldn’t keep her head up, the vomit entered her lungs, causing aspiration. Her heart stopped.
Thanks to the amazing team at Blue Pearl, Toki was revived with CPR, but now, she’s facing multiple serious health issues. She has bruising on her lungs and pneumonia from the aspiration and is currently staying in an oxygen cage to help her breathe. She’s also battling a liver condition that has caused high ammonia levels in her body, adding to her recovery challenges.
That night when we visited her, she kept trying to stand to get to us despite her condition. In that moment, we knew she was a fighter, and we couldn’t give up on her. The vets believe that with proper treatment, her liver condition can be managed with long-term care and medication.
How Funds Will Help
Toki’s care requires multiple treatments and continued hospitalization, including:
- An oxygen cage to support her breathing
- Medication (like lactulose) to manage ammonia levels
- A prescription liver-support diet
- Appetite stimulants and supportive care
- IV therapy for fluids to keep other levels in check
- Care for after discharge from the hospital (medication, etc)
We’ve already used our family’s savings to cover the initial costs of her emergency care and hospitalization before the aspiration. Unfortunately, we were denied pet insurance, and as her hospital stay continues, the bills are growing beyond what we can manage.
We shared an image of the bill we received on the first night, and the charges continue to grow as her stay gets longer.
How You Can Help
If you’ve ever loved a pet like family, you understand what Toki means to us. She’s always been there for us, and now we’re doing everything we can to be there for her.
Any donation, big or small, will go directly toward her treatment and recovery. And even if you’re not in a position to give, sharing this fundraiser would mean the world to us. Your support, kindness, and encouragement are more appreciated than we can put into words.
Thank you so much for reading and for being a part of Toki’s fight to heal.
With love,
The Mai Family