Charles reminds his pet mom of a very tiny Chewbacca! One day she noticed that he had was straining to urinate and then vomited. She took Charles to the emergency veterinarian and they found multiple bladder stones - one had lodged in his urethra and was now blocking urination. The ER team was able to unblock Charles with a urinary catheter, but the stones were still there and likely causing an infection,’ at risk for blockage again unless they were surgically removed. Charles’ pet mom found the team at Monument Boulevard Animal Hospital to do the surgery, but needed financial assistance. Sage Compassion for Animals provided the grant and Charles had his surgery to remove the stones – and also to have them analyzed to prevent recurrence in the future!

Gigi was pregnant, but her pet mom did not know that there was an issue until it was too late and the puppies had died and were causing an infection. Gigi’s pet mom brought her to the team at Vets in Vans, a mobile non-profit veterinary clinic, because she was unhoused and did not have sufficient funds to pay for the surgery Gigi desperately needed. Vets in Vans reached out to SAGE Compassion for Animals to obtain funds to get Gigi’s surgery done right away. Gigi’s surgery went well and she is now back with her pet mom!

Gigi is pictured with Dr. Lauren Park, one of founders of Vets in Vans, providing comprehensive veterinary services, with employees trained in social service.

Meet little Sigyn, a 7 month old Pomski! Her name comes from Norse mythology, Sigyn is Loki’s wife and she does live with Loki (another Pomski) and Odin (an American PitBull). Being a young little puppy, she got under foot and was stepped on!! Unfortunately, her femur bone in her back leg was broken and needed surgery to repair. The team at East Hills Veterinary Hospital was able to perform the surgery, and reached out to Sage Compassion for Animals to assist with the costs. Sigyn is back at home, but has to be confined to a small area while the bones knit together. She does not mind much because she hates the rain and is fine to stay indoors and avoid the atmospheric river!

Ruca’s pet dad was beside himself after taking her to the veterinarian on emergency. They diagnosed Ruca with a pyometra (infected uterus) and her pet dad could not afford the surgery that night. Ruca was referred to the team at Vets In Vans the next morning and SAGE Compassion for Animals was able to secure a grant for Ruca’s surgery to happen that day! Ruca has to wear the giant plastic cone – but she is now home with her pet dad who is over the moon!

Simba, just 3 months old, took a tumble off the bed. Being a little poodle, that was a pretty far height still and unfortunately, he broke his back leg! The femur or thigh bone no less! The team at Silicon Valley Pet Clinic was able to schedule a surgeon to come and repair the leg, but Simba’s pet parents didn’t have the money to cover the surgical costs. Sage Compassion for Animals was contacted and was able to fund the repair. Simba is now home recovering from the surgery on his leg – and he was neutered too!

Prietita, a 10-year-old Pom-A-Poo, started scooting and seemed to have an irritated rear end. Her pet parents knew the signs as she had urinary tract infections in the past – this time it was associated with bladder stones. The stones needed to be removed and cultured to make sure the infection is cleared, but Prietita’s pet parents didn’t have the funding for the surgery. Vets In Vans reached out to Sage Compassion for Animals and we secured the funding and they performed the surgery. Bladder stones in dogs can happen due to an underlying infection and/or diet related – a lot of times both treatment for the infection and a diet change is needed to prevent recurrence.

Papas, a 9 month old male Tabby, had been missing for 4 days and his pet family was very worried! They were right to worry, because when he came home, his jaw had been broken! He needed surgery to be able to eat! The team at Vets In Vans were able to perform the surgery, and reached out to Sage Compassion for Animals to help with the funding. Papas is doing well at home, but because he was also neutered at the time of his jaw surgery, he won’t be able to be a papas himself!

Ophelia started vomiting and was taken to the emergency clinic. She was started on supportive therapy, but continued to vomit. Her pet parents took her back to in and x-rays indicated a linear foreign body blocking her intestines. This can be very damaging to the intestines, even to the point of causing them to leak which can be life-threatening, and so time was of the essence for Ophelia’s pet parents to find the money for her surgery. The team at Berkeley Dog and Cat worked with Sage Compassion for Animals to get funding and surgery happened that day. Thank goodness surgery happened as the foreign material was noted from Ophelia’s stomach to colon!

Young cats in particular like to play with string, rubber bands, yarn, dental floss……all of which can be very dangerous! Make sure that you provide cat toys that do not unravel.

Nacho, a 1-year-old cat, had stopped eating and had started vomiting. He had vomited up a hair tie, and so everyone suspected that he had eaten something he shouldn’t. Radiographs had shown that there was an obstruction in the small intestine, so surgery was recommended since it was unlikely that the material would pass. The Ark Veterinary Care team were able to perform the surgery and reached out to Sage Compassion for Animals to assist with the cost. Nacho’s surgery was a success and now he is home – hopefully not getting into things he shouldn’t!!

Lola, an 8 year old female Yorkshire Terrier, started vomiting for the last couple of days and her pet mom noted that a swelling in her groin had started to grow during that time. Dr. Park at Vets In Vans examined Lola and new right away that she had a hernia in her groin region (inguinal hernia) and that a loop of bowel had been caught causing the vomiting. Lola was in need of surgery right away or the segment of intestine could die! Sage Compassion for Animals was able to approve a grant for the surgery to take place that day. Lola recovered well – and was even spayed at the same time!

King Tank was hit by a car just before Christmas and suffered injuries to both his back legs. One leg had significant wounds and the other leg had a hip luxation. The team at San Francisco SPCA worked hard and after multiple bandage changes and lots of care, the wounds had healed. Unfortunately, the hip had popped back out and now needed surgery. King Tank’s pet mom reached out to Sage Compassion for Animals as she had used up her money for all the care that King Tank had already gotten. SAGEC4A was able to supply the needed grant for the hip surgery and King Tank hopes to be able to get back on the beach soon!

Chundi started to strain to urinate and only pass small amounts of urine and he was diagnosed with urinary obstruction due to Feline Interstitial Cystitis. This problem is the most common problem Sage Compassion for Animals funds for cats – it is that common and Chundi wasn’t even 2 years old when he started to have signs. Chundi’s pet parent took him to the emergency room and he had to be unblocked twice before being able to get the surgery he needed with the team at Happy Valley Pet Hospital. The surgery, a perineal urethrostomy, creates a larger opening for Chundi to urinate through so he doesn’t block again. The surgery was very successful and the only down side is that Chundi has to wear his very stylish elizabethan collar for 2 weeks!

If Nora looks worried to you, its because she is! Her pet mom had brought her to the emergency room because she had stopped eating – but more scary! – was that she started vomiting and it wouldn’t stop. Radiographs at the emergency hospital indicated that likely she ate something that she shouldn’t have and was causing an obstruction in her intestines that required surgery. Nora’s pet mom had been in and out of veterinarians offices that past week because she couldn’t afford care and now Nora’s been definitively diagnosed and her pet mom knows that supportive care won’t work. The Vets in Vans team reached out to Sage Compassion for Animals for funding and were able to do the surgery right away. They removed a child’s toy ball – a niece had visited right before Nora stopped eating. Luckily, Nora received the surgery she needed and is home recuperating!

It is so important to supervise young children with pets – especially young dogs that might not be used to them, but do have a propensity to eat things that they shouldn’t!

Mochi is a young male cat, but already is having problems urinating and straining in the litter box. He was diagnosed with Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease and was blocked and could not urinate! Mochi needed to be unblocked under sedation and then have some intravenous fluids to flush out his system. The team at Ark Veterinary Care was able to provide those services late on a Friday night – and even able to neuter him at the same time! – but Mochi’s pet mom did not have the necessary funds. Sage Compassion for Animals was able to fund the needed services and Mochi did well and was able to go home a couple days later.

Chapito is only a 9 month old male Bulldog, but already, his pet parents are really worried! They saw a lot of blood one day and then noted it was coming from Chapito’s penis when he got excited. The doctor at Alta View Animal Hospital diagnosed a urethral prolapse – which is common in young male Bulldogs and requires surgery to remove the bleeding tip, along with neutering to prevent recurrence. A mobile surgeon was able to come into the veterinary practice to perform this surgery, but Chapito’s pet parents did not have the funding. Sage Compassion for Animals was able to provide the funding needed so that the surgery was scheduled and Chapito is home with his loving family!

Princess Leia is an important part of her family – not only does she snuggle with the kids, but she serves as an emotional support animal for her pet dad who is on disability. He was devastated when she was playing one day and managed to hit her head on a table and damage her eye. The damage was so severe, that the veterinarian recommended Princess Leia have her eye removed so that the pain could be controlled. The family found Sage Compassion for Animals to help fund the surgery and the team at Quito Veterinary Hospital provided the care. Now Princess Leia is at home giving snuggles to everyone!

Coco is a young male cat that already had one bought of urinary obstruction, but now is at PETS Referral Center with another! The team was able to unblock Coco, but there was concern that he would re-block sometime in the future. The veterinarian was recommending surgery, a perineal urethrostomy, to create a larger opening for Coco to urinary through to avoid blocking again. Coco’s pet family did not have the funds for a surgery, so they reached out to Sage Compassion for Animals for assistance. Coco had his surgery and is at home – he cannot wait to have his e-collar off!

Urinary obstruction and blockage in male cats continues to be the most common procedure that SAGEC4A funds for. This is a potentially life threatening condition that can cost several thousands of dollars – and a very good reason to consider pet insurance early on when adopting a male cat!

Salty is an older Poodle gentleman that just slipped on the floor and ended up popping out his hip joint! He was taken to emergency where they popped the hip back in, but unfortunately, it came right out again and Salty needed surgery to get him out of pain. While he was awaiting his first surgery, he slipped again and popped out the other hip??!! Oh no! Salty’s pet parents had the funding for one surgical procedure at the VCA Animal Care Clinic, but not the other! Sage Compassion for Animals was able to grant funding for the second operation which was scheduled after Salty had recovered from his first surgery. Whew – what an ordeal! But now, Salty is home and getting around well on both his rear legs!

Astro, a German Shepherd/Husky mix, was only 3-months-old when his pet parents noted a swelling associated with one of his testicles. The doctors at Quito Veterinary Hospital were quick to diagnose an inguinal hernia – so contents from Astro’s abdomen were exiting out an opening and into his scrotal sac!! This was scary as the contents could twist and cause severe problems, so surgical correction, including neutering, was recommended. Unfortunately, the doctors also noted a quiet murmur that Astro had during a physical. Dogs that have a congenital problem (something that they are born with), such as a hernia, can also have other defects that involve other organs, such as the heart. Astro had an ultrasound of his heart and thankfully, didn’t reveal any other serious issues!! His surgery was a success and now he is back home with his family recuperating.

Freya Stinky Feet Girl (aka Feetie) was just 8 months old when she fell from the roof of her canine siblings crates where her food had been placed. Unfortunately, her leg got caught on the way down and she fractured of her rear leg!! Feetie’s pet mom was devastated as Feetie had come to her just before losing her older cat and Feetie was her “angel kitten”. The Dr. Danny and team at East Hills Veterinary Hospital had to amputate Feetie’s rear leg because the fracture was so severe. Sage Compassion for Animals was able to provide funding for the surgery – and also made sure that Feetie was spayed as well. Feetie is recovering, getting back to following her pet mom around the house, and getting her favorite treat – turkey!

Cooper is a one-year-old male Bulldog and his pet dad saw blood dripping from the tip of Cooper’s penis and was very worried. When the team at Advanced Veterinary Medical Center examined Cooper, they found a urethral prolapse – the inner lining of the urine tube was sticking out and being damaged and was the cause of the bleeding. They also noted that Cooper’s testicles had not descended (cryptorchidism) – which can be a problem later in life and is an inherited condition. The doctor recommended repair and removal of the prolapse along with a neuter, but Cooper’s pet dad did not have the money for the surgery. Sage Compassion for Animals was able to help fund and now Cooper is recovering well and his pet dad is happy to have him home!

Urethral prolapse is common in intact male Bulldogs. It is always good to know what kind of issues certain breeds might have . Your vet can give you this information when you adopt and can help you make a plan for monitoring.

Smokey is just 1 year-old, but already has been in a severe accident. Smokey’s pet parent found him one morning having difficulty walking and blood on his fur after being outside – he had been hit by a car and had a severe fracture that was found by the team at SAGE Veterinary Centers Concord. The fracture was so severe that bone was sticking out of Smokey’s skin and concern for infection and healing so great that amputation was recommended. Smokey’s pet parents just had the funds to stabilize him after arrival – Sage Compassion for Animals was able to fund the surgery (including being neutered!) needed to get Smokey home!

Smokey had been a “free kitten” from a friend and he had not been neutered. Spaying and neutering your pets not only helps with health conditions, but also can prevent the tendency to wander.

Pluto is a 5-month-old Yorkshire puppy that was being cuddled by his pet parents friend when he jumped from their arms and screamed out when he landed! His pet mom rushed him to ARK Veterinary Care where they diagnosed him with a fractured back leg!! Pluto needed surgery, but his pet mom didn’t have the funding. Sage Compassion for Animals was contacted and we were able to fund the surgery needed to repair the fracture – and get Pluto neutered at the same time!

Remember that little puppies can be wiggly, and making sure that they are secure in your arms when holding is very important. It is especially important to supervise children when they pick up a puppy or kitten as they can easily be dropped and severely injured!

Zeus is a 1 1/2 year old Doberman that had a bad habit of eating things that he shouldn’t…..and one day, that caught up with him! His pet mom brought him in to see the team at Advanced Veterinary Medical Center after he was vomiting for 2 days. Zeus was diagnosed with foreign material causing a blockage in his intestines and he needed surgery. He had eaten some fabric and stuffing and this had caused his intestines to bunch up and damaged the blood flow to them. Sage Compassion for Animals was able to assist with funding to get the surgery done that day. Luckily, the AVMC team got him to surgery quickly and he recovered well!