Please Help Save Ranger and Barrett

Two of my pack; Ranger and Barrett, ate half of a sago palm in our backyard and are currently fighting for their lives. On Friday, March 3, 2018, around 6:00 pm, I found several piles of vomit and a half eaten sago palm in the backyard. I did a quick google search and discovered that sago palms are extremely toxic to dogs. I immediately called my primary vet; they were closed, and was directed to an emergency vet clinic on Charleston. I loaded them in my truck and rushed them there.

The emergency clinic pulled bloodwork on both dogs. Normal range for ALT is less than 121. Ranger’s was 165 and Barrett’s was 78. They were put on fluid and other treatment and I had to leave them there overnight.

When I arrived at 7:30 am on Saturday, March 4, 2018, the emergency vet instructed me to get further care at my primary vet. Both dogs were examined at my primary vet. My primary vet determined that they did not have the round the clock care to accommodate Ranger’s levels and recommended that I take him to VE+CC. They also said because Barrett’s levels were in normal range that I could take him home, but I would need to bring him back daily for at least three days to have his blood tested. I asked them to keep Barrett for the next couple hours until they ran bloodwork while I took Ranger to the VE+CC and if his second set of bloodwork came back fine that I would take Barrett home that evening.

After leaving Barrett at the primary vet, I drove Ranger to the VE+CC. Upon our consultation, they recommended I hospitalize Ranger for at least three days to continue fluids, bloodwork, and further care. Ranger would have constant care in case he had seizures or other issues during the evening when the primary vet would be closed. They explained the severity of sago palms and the effect it has on the dog’s liver. If Ranger’s ALT levels continued to rise it would result in liver failure and be fatal. So I hospitalized him.

Several hours later I received a phone call from VE+CC that Ranger’s ALT levels had gone down a little. I followed up also with my primary vet and they said they had just drawn Barrett’s blood and would call me back shortly. When my primary vet called back she said Barrett’s ALT was now 489 and recommended that I take him to VE+CC as well.

I picked Barrett up and drove him to VE+CC. This consultation was different than Ranger’s. Ranger’s levels were high, but not to the extent that Barrett’s was. They told me that continued ALT increase would lead to liver failure and that right now they were not optimistic about his recovery.

Ranger is a three year old American Bulldog/pit bull mix. He was at the NSPCA and needed to have his right rear leg amputated from severe breaks. When we were looking at dogs we asked who they were having a hard time adopting out. They introduced to Ranger and said that most people wouldn’t look at him because he only had three legs. We fell in love and he became part of our family in November of 2018. Barrett will be one year old on March 10th and is a Shepherd mix. He was a confiscation from a BYB at 6 weeks and needed to be bottle fed. He was originally supposed to be my boyfriend’s dog, but he bonded with me and mostly stays glued to my side.

I have three small children that love our pets dearly and we would all be heartbroken if they don’t come back home. The medical bills for Ranger and Barrett’s care since Friday night is over $2500 and we may accrue more depending on how their bloodwork looks tomorrow.

I don't ask for help unless it is an absolute necessity and right now I am begging. No amount is too small, every $1 matters. If you are unable to donate then I ask that you please send us prayers, positive thoughts, vibes, and please share our story. My dogs have been around that sago palm for months and I had no idea how dangerous it was.