A Pup in Need

In late September, a beagle-mix puppy was brought to the VCA Alexandria Animal Hospital by a kind citizen.  The dog, who we called Bastian, was about 7 months old and had suffered damage to his jawbone on his right side.  We did not know if these injuries meant that Bastian was hit by a car, bitten by another animal or something worse. Bastian visited the dental surgeon the next day, and we learned that he would need not one but two surgeries: the first immediately to stabilize his jaw so he could eat and play without pain, and the second when his adult teeth started to grow in, which would likely be a few more months.

 

Sarah’s Fund

We shared Bastian’s story with the Alexandria community, to find out what we could about this poor pup, but to help us repair his jaw.  We wanted to act as quickly to get Bastian the surgery he needed as soon as possible, so we asked for donations to Sarah’s Fund, which we developed for situations like Bastian’s, when we might need to support emergency life-altering surgeries, costly prescription medicines and other therapies that are outside of our budget.  We asked for help, and our community responded.  Thanks to your donations, Bastian was able to undergo his first surgery just days after he came to us, and we will be able to support his second surgery when his adult teeth start to grow in.

Thank You for Your Support!

In the meantime, Bastian is taking it easy, resting comfortably with an excellent foster caregiver, who will be enforcing the strict guidelines provided by the dental surgeon: only soft foods; no chewing on toys or other items that could impede healing; and of course, handling his jaw as little as possible.  Based on this picture his foster recently shared, it looks like Bastian the beagle is already on the mend.

Pictured: While he will still need a second surgery, Bastian is already feeling and looking much better thanks to the support of a loving caregiver and our amazing AWLA community!

We would not have been able to help Bastian in his hour of need without your support.  Thank you to everyone who donated to Sarah’s Fund so that we could provide emergency treatment for sweet Bastian, as well as the additional surgery he will need as he grows.

Health emergencies like Bastian’s may arise at any time, and it is with your support that we are able to aid these animals in need of surgeries, prescription medicines and restorative treatments. If you’d like to help us prepare for our next animal emergency, please consider making a donation to Sarah’s Fund now. Bastian and all of our future adoptables thank you for your support!