Callie's Care - Remembering the 'Purple Cow'

Callie

We may have thought the 'olden days' where neighbor helped neighbor in times of need were long gone, replaced instead by governmental programs to solve problems for us, fostering apathy in its wake.  Not true, not yet anyway!  Here is a delightful story of a determined pet owner who bypassed traditional solutions to provide for her dog's care, looking instead to her own creativity, and while doing so, brought an entire community along with her:

"After a play session with friends, Callie came away limping and favoring her left leg. Then, just when she seemed to be getting back to normal, she fell down the stairs and couldn't get up. A trip to Dr. Dana Graham at Carter Veterinary Medical Center revealed the unfortunate truth about her injury; she needed a complex, and expensive, surgery. When I found out that Callie had sustained a rupture of her cruciate ligament, I was heartbroken. She is such an active, bouncy girl, who loves long walks and rough-housing with other dogs.

Callie is a rescue. She had a rough start in life, having been neglected, mistreated, and eventually given up. Though many would say I saved her life when I adopted her, I argue that it is she who rescued me with her pure devotion, unconditional love, acceptance, and appreciation.  So, when faced with news that Callie would need a specialized surgery to correct her injury, there was no question in my mind that she would have it. What I had no idea about was how I was going to afford her care. Single and self-employed, I had no clue where I would find the funds to get her back to the quality of life she loves and deserves.

First, I cried. Then, with a month before Callie’s surgeon, Dr. Kate Fitzwater, was available to do her procedure I had time to figure something out! Realizing I had to get creative, I summoned what I'd learned while studying for my degree in public relations, and knew I had a chance. I was going to run a public relations campaign for Callie to raise the money for her care, and it worked!


Callie After Surgery



In four weeks I went from an evening of hand-wringing and crying to organizing and managing three different fundraisers, all entitled "Callie's Care." My combined efforts gathered a small army of supporters, including a handful of key individuals who became very involved and recruited others for monetary and in-kind donations.

My three fundraisers consisted of a page on GiveForward.com for those who simply wanted to donate dollars, a special 'Groupon-style' sale for bodywork or yoga sessions with me, and a benefit dinner and raffle at a favorite locally owned restaurant, Moe and Johnny's, in Broad Ripple. I made sure that everybody was kept in the loop about progress with regular Facebook updates and an email campaign. Callie has a separate bank account in her name and I included photos of her in my outreach whenever possible.



Callie's Get Well Card



I never knew what my little endeavor would generate; I just focused instead on Callie and set the intention that she was going to get what she needed...somehow. I chose to stay positive and I told her story to anyone who would listen, anyone at all. In the process, I've not only raised the funds we needed, but also made new friends and amazing contacts. Moreover, I have experienced firsthand the power within a community and their heartfelt willingness to lend a hand to a neighbor. I still haven't been able to talk about this much without getting teary-eyed, but I'm working on it.




Brigid, Betsy, & Callie at Circle City

I am proud of my friends, their friends, and the local business owners who reached out to help - they are a special lot - each and every one! I am so honored to have had the chance to go to work for my dear Callie. Finally, I am grateful that I had access to the attentive, compassionate, and expert care Callie received at Carter Veterinary Medical Center and Circle City Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Hospital."




*For those of you who have not heard of the term, 'Purple Cow', it's the one who stands out from a crowd of brown ones.  The 'Purple Cow' represents a belief that we can accomplish anything with new ideas and determination. 

Old Sayings Ring True When it Comes to Fluffy’s Care!

Because we, as a society, LOVE good news with easier and more affordable ways to accomplish our tasks, and we have an innate tendency to focus on the positive and believe what we are told, we can be easily persuaded by clever marketing campaigns. The American pet industry is no different. Our pets have transitioned into full fledged family members and we are targeted with new ways to get what we want cheaper and faster.

“Buyer beware!”

There are countless producers of pet products and services, all with the intent of ‘selling’ them to us, and we need to be just as skeptical about those as we are about every other item we purchase.

“You get what you pay for.”

Every service and product in our society has a cost. And, with every product or service, someone makes money. Cheaper just means LESS of something - less product, less service, less skill, less safety...

“Tried and true”

When it comes to your pet’s life long care, your VERY BEST BARGAIN is to develop a long standing relationship with a reputable veterinary hospital and allow licensed veterinary professionals to advise you in all regard.

Our furry friends are solely dependent upon us to make the best decisions on their behalf. This is an awesome responsibility so arm yourself with knowledge and seek advice and care from a trusted veterinarian first.

When You Hear Hoofbeats...

A common rule in the practice of medicine is, “When you hear hoofbeats look for horses, not zebras”. This basically means to look for the most common health problems first and rule them out before doing extensive diagnostics for more uncommon conditions. This is typically a good common sense rule to follow…but then Suzy came along.

Suzy, a beautiful eleven year old Visla mix, presented to Circle City Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Hospital in mid October for sudden onset of severe joint pain. Dr. Rader and her team forged ahead meticulously looking for those ‘horses’. What they found instead was an uncommon and challenging ‘zebra’ named Bartonella, an infectious agent seldom found in Indiana!

Bartonella infections can cause a myriad of clinical signs. In Suzy the infection primarily affected her spinal cord and the big nerve complexes that come off the spinal cord so she had tremendous pain and weakness in both rear legs and her lower back. Even with very strong pain medications she was unable to stand up or walk, and as a result, she suffered significant muscle wasting.

Before her illness Suzy could go for runs with her owner and play with her family. Seeing her in such a depressed state was difficult and not for the faint of heart! Without patience and determination from Suzy’s owner and a ‘can do’ attitude from Dr. Rader and her team, Suzy’s outcome would have been far different.

Suzy’s recovery benefited greatly from physical rehabilitation in the underwater treadmill and therapeutic laser treatments. The laser uses light energy to increase blood flow to the tissues and it directly affects nerves to help turn off the pain and release analgesic endorphins. She enjoyed her treatments so much she would independently shift herself over so that her other side could be treated, making that behavior probably one of the most obvious affirmations that she felt the benefits!

After three months Suzy has recovered from her infection, finished her treatments, her rehabilitation therapy, and is regaining muscle mass and strength. We hope she is back to running with her owner this summer. You will want to watch this video as it takes you through her brave recovery and success.

Footnote: Bartonella is a family of bacteria that infect red blood cells. The bacteria are transmitted from one individual to the next by a vector (blood sucking insect), the most common vector being ticks. Ticks also spread Lyme’s Disease, Ehrlichia, and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever to name a few. Bartonella transmission has also been linked to fleas, biting flies, and lice. Dogs, cats, and humans can all be infected by Bartonella, if bitten by an infected flea or tick. Although Bartonella is usually only found in the southern half of the United States, the best way to prevent an infection is by keeping an effective flea and tick preventative on your pets all year long.

The New American Christmas Tradition?



Did someone say presents?

The message in this blog came to us through an email. We have no idea where it began or where it is going, but we like the way this author thinks and thought we would add our own suggestion for those shoppers still looking for great gift ideas this year.  Here is our idea to add to the list:

• How about purchasing gift cards to locally owned full-service family veterinary hospitals? Not only does this help the pet owners on your list, it definitely helps sustain those neighborhood hospitals. This gift can facilitate a life-long relationship with a family veterinarian, which is where the real value lies, making it the best gift for the pets on your list too!

Yes, we really do like this idea of community.  Read this author's thoughts below and happy shopping!

As the holidays approach, the giant Asian factories are kicking into high gear to provide Americans with monstrous piles of cheaply produced goods -- merchandise that has been produced at the expense of American labor. 

This year will be different. This year Americans will give the gift of genuine concern for other Americans. There is no longer an excuse that, at gift giving time, nothing can be found that is produced by American hands. Yes there is!

It's time to think outside the box, people. Who says a gift needs to fit in a shirt box, wrapped in Chinese produced wrapping paper?

• Everyone -- yes EVERYONE gets their hair cut. How about gift certificates from your local American hair salon or barber?
• Gym membership? It's appropriate for all ages who are thinking about some health improvement.
• Who wouldn't appreciate getting their car detailed? Small, American owned detail shops and car washes would love to sell you a gift certificate or a book of gift certificates.
• Are you one of those extravagant givers who think nothing of plunking down the Benjamines on a Chinese made flat-screen? Perhaps that grateful gift receiver would like his driveway sealed, or lawn mowed for the summer, or driveway plowed all winter, or games at the local golf course.
• There are bazillion owner-run restaurants -- all offering gift certificates. And, if your intended isn't the fancy eatery sort, what about a half dozen breakfasts at the local breakfast joint. Remember, folks this isn't about big National chains -- this is about supporting your home town Americans with their financial lives on the line to keep their doors open.
• How many people couldn't use an oil change for their car, truck, or motorcycle, done at a shop run by the American working guy?
• Thinking about a heartfelt gift for mom? Mom would LOVE the services of a local cleaning lady for a day.
• My computer could use a tune-up, and I KNOW I can find some young guy who is struggling to get his repair business up and running.
• OK, you were looking for something more personal. Local crafts people spin their own wool and knit them into scarves. They make jewelry, and pottery and beautiful wooden boxes.
• Plan your holiday outings at local, owner operated restaurants and leave your server a nice tip. And, how about going out to see a play or ballet at your hometown theatre.
• Musicians need love too, so find a venue showcasing local bands.

Honestly, people, do you REALLY need to buy another ten thousand Chinese lights for the house? When you buy a five dollar string of light, about fifty cents stays in the community. If you have those kinds of bucks to burn, leave the mailman, trash guy, or babysitter a nice BIG tip.

  

You see, Christmas is no longer about draining American pockets so that China can build another glittering city. Christmas is now about caring about US, encouraging American small businesses to keep plugging away to follow their dreams. And, when we care about other Americans, we care about our communities, and the benefits come back to us in ways we couldn't imagine. THIS can be the new American Christmas tradition.

Winston the Wonder Dog - Miracle or Modern Medicine

Corrie & Dr. Bricker pose with Winston

shortly before he is released to go

home.

That silent communication between dog and owner came into play one Friday evening when Winston’s family brought him in to Circle City’s Emergency Hospital. Early testing revealed nothing dramatic, but intuition drove them and set them on a path where, faith, perseverance, and advanced medical treatment combined to save his life.

Winston was suffering from a septic abdomen, a deadly invasion of bacteria inside his abdominal cavity typically caused by a foreign body or traumatic injury. An ultrasound revealed diseased lymph nodes so emergency surgery to remove the tissue causing the infection was performed, and treatment to clear the infection began. Survival rates for septic abdomens are less than 50% but quick action to rid Winston of the deadly infection gave his doctors and family hope for a speedy recovery.

Winston, however, was plagued with all the complications you don’t want to happen and he spent the next week in critical care with his doctors fighting each new obstacle that came along. Once his biopsies came back it was clear that the underlying cause for his condition was cancer. At the time, veterinary oncologist, Dr. Childress, was available for consultation here and the needed cancer drugs on site so chemotherapy began immediately. Winston turned the corner in short order and was released from the hospital, returning only as an out-patient for continued chemotherapy.

Faced with such an uphill battle, everyone involved would have understood had Winston’s family decided to let him go, but somehow that wondrous non-verbal communion between dog and owner signaled them both to keep trying. Speaking with Winston’s family, and seeing how they interact with him, makes it clear that the human/animal bond enriches our world and encourages a belief in something greater.

Winston Home Again

Call it luck or divine coincidence, it is also clear that without the advanced medical treatment immediately and locally available, Winston’s chance of survival would have been slim to none. Winston was not stable enough to transfer to another facility and could not have survived further delays. He is almost finished with his chemotherapy now and enjoying life with his family for as long as he is meant to. With recent changes in Purdue University’s policy regarding outside consultations by their faculty, however, the opportunity to continue treatment for cancer patients closer to home has been interrupted. Because 15% to 20% of the cases referred into our Emergency & Critical Care Department are diagnosed with some form of cancer, we are committed to once again provide family veterinary hospitals and pet owners accessible options for treatment…and miracles.

Simple Dreams – An Engine of Ideas

Good ideas begin with simple dreams! An anonymous donation from a local Good Samaritan coupled with the creative minds and generous spirits of homegrown experts will be making a huge difference in the health and welfare of companion animals in Indianapolis! Our hats are off to Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine, Elanco Companion Health, and several local, privately held, veterinary practices in Indianapolis! The creation, implementation, and participation in the Good Samaritan Endowment Program will help provide financial assistance for families who have been unable to afford good, thorough, veterinary care for their pets.


Purdue University’s Announcement Article talks about the “win-win” for all local participants and we couldn’t agree more! Numerous outside marketing messages minimize the ‘value’ of the family veterinarian, forcing this profession to compete as a ‘commodity’. There is an old, and scary, political maneuver that states if you tell the public a lie long enough, they will believe it. We hope this new program will bring back awareness and encourage pet owners to seek care for their pets in full-service general practices. In doing so, pet owners may once again see the advantages of developing that life-long bond with a family veterinarian who knows and values their pet beyond the quick examination and assembly line vaccinations.

We look forward to seeing this program in action!

Walking With Sunshine



"Now what?"

 Watching this one year old and hearing her story makes the heart want to sing, “I’m walking with Sunshine…” Bulldogs already risk potential health challenges but this little girl seemed to be cursed with more than her fair share. Sunshine’s first few weeks of life hold a dark history, but things began to turn around the minute Betty met her and saw a gentle, worthy soul, behind those physical handicaps.




"For me?"

 Life was not easy for Sunshine even then. After months of intervention and several surgeries Sunshine was still unable to walk more than a few painful feet at a time. Most would have understood had Betty chosen to stop there. Some might even have considered it merciful to end Sunshine’s ‘suffering’. Something told Betty to keep trying, however, and that is where Circle City’s Veterinary Specialists come in. Kate Fitzwater, DVM, MS, DACVS, and Bobby Werbe, CCRP, began seeing Sunshine.  Determining that Sunshine would most likely be unable to walk any distance without assistance, they custom fit a wheelchair just for her!



"Look at me now!"

 The old saying, “Pictures are worth a thousand words”, rings true here. Look closely. Sunshine’s expression before her fitting clearly shows anxiety and hesitation, perfectly understandable after all she has been through. Once fitted comfortably in her wheelchair, however, her demeanor changes.  In the video below watch Sunshine experience what it is like to really walk for the first time in her life!

As of the publishing of this blog, Sunshine is active and happy, and can even walk longer distances without her wheelchair. 

 ”…oh yeah, and don’t it feel good!”