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  • Vega

Vega

I'm in the Recovery Room - I'll Be Available Soon

TORONTO, ON

On Saturday late evening I got a heads up from a SPIN volunteer that a standard poodle puppy had ingested something and needed immediate surgery. I asked the SPIN volunteer to tell the owner to email SPIN and fill in the surrender form. I gave Bernice the heads up. At 5 AM we received the surrender form. As soon as Bernice saw it Sunday AM, she and Laura (head of our medical team) jumped into action.

All of the veterinary hospitals in the immediate area to the puppy didn't have a surgeon available. Precious time was passing... Laura persisted and finally found one in Burlington. The owner could get there by 12:30 or so, but the hospital wouldn't admit the dog without a SPIN rep being there to manage the process. It was 12:02.
Hi Lynne Peterson. Can you jump in the car immediately and help admit this dog? Lynne, a true SPIN hero, threw on some shoes and out the door like a FLASH. In fact, we should actually call her The Flash as this isn't the first time she has done something crazy like this.
 
With the help of Lynne, Vega was immediately admitted to the Burlington Emergency Veterinary Hospital. The veterinary staff looked very worried and started preop work including pumping fluids into him. Per the ultrasound, he potentially had 3 issues in the abdomen. Something in the stomach had it backed up with fluids. Something in the duodenum (first part after the stomach) and something later in the intestines.

Before they could do the surgery, they had to put a tube thru his nose and down to his stomach to pump out the fluids, so he wouldn't regurgitate the fluids once under anaesthetic as then he could aspirate it (breathe it into the lungs) which is very bad.

Both the duodenum and the later part of the intestines seem "bunched up" from whatever is there, which means they could end up with a perforation. In the lower intestines, they could cut out a perforated part and stitch the ends together (take out a section of tube and then reconnect the remaining tube ends). This cannot be done at the duodenum location as that's where the pancreas is. The vet told us that we would have to wait and see how bad it was during surgery.

SPIN was asked to put a deposit down of $6,500, which was the low end of the estimate. And you no what? No worries. Why? BECAUSE WE HAVE THE BEST FREAKING VOLUNTEERS AND DONORS IN THE ENTIRE WORLD.
 
Because of each and everyone of you, this amazing puppy has a chance at life.
 
The surgery went very well. There was a sock in the stomach along with some sort of long stringy type of fabric. The duodenum was definitely all scrunched up, but they were able to release the pressure and remove the fabric, and then it stretched out and turned a good color of pink, so they are very optimistic that it will be fine. Further on in the intestines, it was more of that longish fabric strings stuff. Along with some very sharp plastic.

By Sunday evening, Vega was in recovery and had managed the anesthetic very well. Now we had to wait for news on the long overnight period. Phones were left on in order to receive and emergency updates from the veterinarians.
 
At 10:30 AM, the vet called Laura. Vega is doing very well. He was eating on his own and keeping it down. They also were able to decrease his pain meds and will continue to do so as they can for the rest of the day.

Vega is not likely to be able to be discharged before tomorrow (Tues) morning and so the wait continues. Upon discharge, one of SPIN's more experienced fosters has stepped up for Vega. They don't have any other dogs, plus they can monitor him 24/7. Wow.

Please focus all your good wishes on this dog. He's 10 months old and so very very sweet. Vega is still in recovery. Please keep him in your thoughts.
  • Poodle - Standard
  • Male
  • 11 Months Old (05/11/2025) - Actual
  • 10 - 20 Kilograms
  • Ontario
  • Black
  • Playful & Inquisitive
  • I Like All Kids
  • I Like All Dogs
  • Not Tested With Cats
  • Not Tested With Small Animals
  • I Have Not Been Tested with Livestock
  • I'm Trained
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