12/23/2024
Licorice Update 12/30
Funds raised: $3,200
Funding goal: met
12/30:The neurologist performed a necropsy on Licorice (aka
Baby by her foster mom). They found a brain tumor in her frontal lobe. See comments for the doctors remarks. That's why she didn't respond to the antibiotics that we tried or steroids. She was a young dog and they won't know for some time what kind of tumor it was. 😔
12/25: The update I've been dreading to post all day. Today I got the call from the neurologist that Licorice was worse, and couldn't walk or stand without her legs giving way underneath her. She was snapping at the vet techs, and her demeanor had definitely shifted. Whatever the disease was inside her brain it was getting worse. I agreed with the vet that it was time, the treatments they were trying if she had something treatable were not working. The best we got was her back to baseline that we saw her with her foster mom, but no improvement. And then today further deterioration. The vet asked I'd allow them to do a necropsy, free of charge, so they could learn what happened to her and be able to use that information for future cases. I agreed bc I want to know, too. She'll be cremated and sent back to me (or to her foster mom if she'd like to keep her). No more circles or pain or fear sweet girl.
She didn't deserve to be abandoned at a sports field on the border of Long Beach and Compton blind and confused, but thanks to Sharon Mooningham, Rebecca Loveland Anastasio, Karoline Nadeau and a pilot I never got to connect with she knew she was loved and not alone. Uc Davis Veterinary Hospital was amazing and everything I could hope for to try and problem solve this on a limited budget. Thank you to everyone that donated to help with her cost of care. The hardest part of rescue is always hoping the animal gets the fairytale ending, but sometimes they don't. And that's gut wrenching.
12/24: As of 3:30 p.m. today Licorice is stable and has had no more seizures since Sunday afternoon. She is now on a course of anti fungal medication, steroids, anti-seizure medication, and iv fluids. She did two days of antibiotics but with no improvement we decided to switch to antifungal medication to cover one last diagnostic attempt without engaging an expensive diagnostic procedures.
Her foster mom Sharon Mooningham spent an hour with her today to see for herself if there has been any change in the dog that she spent 12 days with. She was pleased to see that Licorice is still there inside and reported, "She fell asleep but she was the normal baby i have had this whole time and she ate for me. She took her paw and put it on my arm. She kissed me. She was so happy and alert for me. "
Her prognosis is still guarded because we don't know what's going on, but she is with the neurology department at UC Davis now. We will give this one more night and see how she looks on Christmas Day.
Licorice is a dog worth saving. We truly wish we could get so many donations so we could give her the best chance at a good life. She is so young! She gave her foster so many kisses on her face as if to say thank you for helping me. She would lay on her back and side and let her foster give her a full belly rubs as she grunted in happiness. She would lay in her foster mom's lap for comfort to help her fall asleep. We are heartbroken that she is at the best vet hospital in the country, just 30 minutes away from her foster home, and the cost may inhibit her success. Please donate and share in any platform you know for animal lovers. She has a potential interested adopter who could possibly give her the best life if she can get the proper treatment and protocol set up for her condition. She is worthy. 🥺
I don't know how to use social media to reach people for donations. I don't know how to fundraise for s*!t. I DO have a dog that's in critical state at UC Davis right now. Licorice was rescued on 12/17 from Long Beach animal shelter, and I knew she was blind and shut down. What I didn't know is the depth of her neurological issues. In their defense, the shelter didn't either. It became clear recently that there's definitely something wrong. She went to UC Davis emergency clinic today and is there now. We are trying a few things to see what might work, but so far she's had 2 grand mal seizures there. If the steroids don't help relieve the pressure on her brain, then we know there's something more serious. But there's definitely pressure on her brain, like the worst headache you can imagine.
Overnight estimate is $2600-$3800. She can get a neurological consult on Monday 12/22.
There were not a lot of donations for Licorice to begin with. I need every penny I can find to be able to offer her a chance. If you remember her and want to help her, and help my rescue, it would be so greatly appreciated. We are a 501c3 organization.
Donations can be made as follows:
www.kennels2couches.org
https://venmo.com/u/Robin-unander
https://www.paypal.me/kennels2couches
Kennels 2 Couches
PO Box 41821
Santa Barbara, CA 93140
