Elsie’s Journey to Recovery

Elsie Arrives at Cascades Humane Society

Two-year-old Elsie’s journey has been fraught with challenges from the start. Elsie, rescued as a stray in Texas with her puppies, was alone and frightened before being transported to Cascades Humane Society in January. Despite her puppies finding homes, the path to adoption has been anything but smooth for Elsie. 

Upon arrival at Cascades Humane Society (CHS), Elsie was underweight, with a poor coat condition, and suffering from giardia. Giardia is a highly contagious internal parasite that causes dogs to have diarrhea and vomiting. Giardia can lead to a lack of appetite and dehydration. CHS was committed to her rehabilitation, providing nutritious meals, medication, and loving care. Elsie was in otherwise good condition and was sure to be adopted quickly! 

Within a couple of weeks of being in our care at CHS, staff noticed the face, muzzle, and underside of Elsie’s neck were swollen and puffy. Our veterinarian, Dr. Patrias, examined Elsie and placed her on a steroid and Benadryl to treat what appeared to be an allergic reaction. Elsie’s condition seemed to be improving with treatment. A week later, however, Elsie was swollen again. It was worse this time. Our vet prescribed more steroids and Benadryl, and the staff was careful about what they gave her besides her food.

Elsie’s Urgent Medical Issue

Elsie was back on the adoption floor, ready to charm potential adopters. She was excited to find her family. It wasn’t but five days later that the staff noticed Elsie acting differently than her sweet and playful self. You could see her abdomen distended. Her tail was tucked and she occasionally whimpered, all signs of discomfort. Our veterinarian had left for the day but was able to get her eyes on Elsie. Under the supervision of the vet, dedicated staff took her temperature and administered an injection for nauseous. After the vet determined Elsie to be stable, she went home with a staff member for close monitoring over night.

The next morning, our veterinarian removed 200 mL of fluids from Elsie’s abdomen. We sent the fluid and blood work for testing. Patiently, we waited for the results, anxious about what they would reveal. Our vet was perplexed when the results came back normal. She had previously examined some of the abdominal fluid under a microscope. There were white blood cells present. This usually means there could be an infection present, except all of Elsie’s test results were normal. Confusion increased when Elsie’s abdomen distended again a few days later.

Elsie Rushed to Michigan State University

Our veterinarian knew Elsie needed additional help beyond the scope of abilities at CHS. Taking Elsie to the emergency room at Michigan State University was critical. It was not even a question in our minds. Elsie needed care immediately, no matter the cost.

At MSU, Elsie underwent draining procedures, removing 1,200 mL of fluid from her chest. Heart failure and cancer were concerns the vets raised. To help rule things out, vets performed additional blood work and tests of the chest fluid. Elsie’s heart was okay, and all her tests results were negative. Despite multiple tests, a definitive diagnosis remains elusive, with suspicions now pointing towards a tick-borne disease or an immune system disorder. Elsie is currently stable and under close monitoring, receiving the care she desperately needs.

The financial burden of Elsie’s unexpected medical journey is substantial, with our bill at MSU already nearing $4,000. Still, with no answers, this is an ongoing situation. We are committed to providing Elsie with the best care possible, regardless of the cost. This is where we need your support. Every contribution, no matter how small, will make a significant difference in covering Elsie’s ongoing medical expenses. 

If you can spare any amount, please donate to support Elsie’s recovery journey. Your generosity will directly contribute to the care and treatment she deserves. We will keep you updated on Elsie’s progress, and your support will be deeply appreciated. 

Thank you for considering this urgent request. Together, we can make a difference in Elsie’s life.