At 12 years old, Buddy has been through more than most dogs should ever have to endure.
When he was surrendered to Lollypop Farm in early March, Buddy was suffering from painful bladder stones. He cried out when trying to go to the bathroom, and his urine had become bloody. According to his previous owner, Buddy had bladder stones in the past, and these were clear signs that the condition had likely returned.
Our veterinary team acted quickly. Buddy underwent surgery to remove the bladder stones, along with a dental procedure to address a loose tooth. But even after surgery, his journey was far from over.
In the days that followed, Buddy struggled to recover. His appetite declined significantly, and despite multiple medications and appetite stimulants, he still wouldn’t eat. He began leaking urine and developed diarrhea, leaving the team increasingly concerned.
Ten days after surgery, Buddy was re-examined to determine what else could be done. Upon looking in Buddy’s mouth, it was discovered that his tongue had begun to turn gray; the tissue was dying. Dr. Young suspected a blood clot may have traveled to his tongue, cutting off circulation. Could this be why Buddy refused to eat?
With so much uncertainty, one of our dedicated veterinary technicians, Kris from the Klingenstein Veterinary Clinic, took Buddy home for overnight monitoring, not knowing what the next chapter of his story would hold.
Miraculously, Buddy began to improve.
Today, Buddy is still in Kris’s care as he continues treatment for a urinary tract infection related to his previous bladder stones. And while he still has some challenges, his personality is shining through more each day.
“He is somewhat incontinent, but we are hoping he improves over time with his course of antibiotics,” Kris shares. “He wears his undies like a pro (nickname Captain Underpants), although he has figured out how to use my couch to get them off 🙂 He loves my kids and my dog and lying on the couch upside down.”
Buddy’s story is one of hope. Like so many animals who come through Lollypop Farm’s doors, he’s proving that even after the hardest chapters, a second chance can still be written.
