Indy’s Race Against Time

Indy has been through so much. One of our partner shelters in eastern Washington brought him in as a stray, visibly underweight. When he arrived at Homeward Pet, we thought that removing a benign tumor from his shoulder would be the last of what he’d have to endure on the road to health and happiness. After surgery, he was healing well—walking without a limp, bounding after squirrels, and rolling in the grass.

But still, something wasn’t quite right. Indy continued to suffer from upset stomach and vomiting, resulting in dehydration. Concerned, our clinic staff arranged for x-rays of Indy’s stomach. He was diagnosed with severe gastroenteritis—inflamed stomach tissue. With some medicine, IV fluids, and rest, Indy should have had a full recovery. But that wasn’t the case.

Indy standing tall a few days after emergency surgery saved his life

It happened so quickly. We found him vomiting in his kennel, anxiously panting and pacing. His stomach was swollen and causing him obvious discomfort.

We rushed him to an emergency vet. It required the expertise of four veterinary doctors to diagnose and treat his gastric dilatation-volvulus, commonly known as bloat. Exploratory surgery revealed the lethal situation: Indy’s stomach had twisted shut a full 360 degrees, trapping gas and fluid inside and sending him into shock from loss of blood flow. He didn’t have days; he had hours.

But thanks to supporters like you, Indy’s life was saved. Surgeons untwisted his stomach, restoring blood supply to his organs. His stomach was carefully stitched in place, making sure he would never have to endure such a traumatic surgery again.

The financial security provided by you, our supporters, allows us to make lifesaving decisions when there is no easy course of action. Without your help, we may not have been able to act as quickly and provide Indy the chance to be a happy and healthy companion.

Homeward Pet veterinarian Dr. Jenny Brown listens to Indy’s heart and lungs

Please make a generous gift to help more animals like Indy. With your help and steady support, we can continue to step in during a crisis and provide the best care for homeless dogs and cats in need.

Sincerely,

Marie Wolfanger
Homeward Pet Interim Executive Director