Whiskey
Help Whiskey Get the Surgery She Needs to Eat Again
Eldridge, AL • Marlee’s Kisses Great Dane Rescue
She survived an emergency surgery that saved her life, but now, even eating a meal has become a struggle. At just three years old, Whiskey has already endured more heartbreak and suffering than any dog should ever have to face. This beautiful Great Dane first came into rescue under devastating circumstances. She had been in labor for more than 24 hours without delivering a single puppy, and her condition was rapidly deteriorating. Her fever had climbed above 105 degrees, and she desperately needed an emergency C-section. Tragically, none of Whiskey's puppies survived. While grieving the loss of her babies, Whiskey was fighting for her own life. She developed a severe infection and mastitis, requiring intensive veterinary treatment and hospitalization. With the help of Marlee's Kisses Great Dane Rescue, she was given a chance to survive. And Whiskey fought. Despite everything she had endured, her enormous personality began shining through. Whiskey quickly became known as the rescue's resident troublemaker, a sassy, dramatic Great Dane who loves attention, has an opinion about absolutely everything, and somehow manages to keep everyone around her on their toes. But just when it seemed like this sweet girl might finally be able to enjoy the life she had fought so hard for, another frightening medical crisis began. Whiskey started struggling to keep her food down. What began as persistent vomiting and difficulty eating became increasingly alarming. Soon, she was struggling to keep down even liquids. Her rescuers watched helplessly as the dog who normally filled their home with chaos and laughter became quieter, weaker, and unable to get the nutrition she desperately needed. Veterinary visits, medications, X-rays, barium studies, bloodwork, and even exploratory surgery followed. Whiskey underwent a spay and gastropexy during one of her procedures, but despite extensive testing, her vets still couldn't determine why she continued getting sick. Every time her rescuers hoped they were finally getting somewhere, Whiskey faced another setback. Then, after weeks of searching, a specialist finally discovered something terribly wrong. Whiskey was diagnosed with an esophageal stricture, a severe narrowing of the tube that carries food and water from her mouth to her stomach. The narrowing was so significant, and the surrounding tissue so swollen, that the specialist couldn't even pass the endoscope through the affected area to examine farther down. Suddenly, the reason Whiskey had been struggling so desperately to eat became clearer. But finding the problem was only the beginning. Whiskey now needs a specialized procedure called balloon dilation to carefully widen her esophagus and help food and liquids pass through more normally. This procedure must be performed with extreme care because stretching the esophagus too quickly can cause serious complications. There is also no guarantee that one treatment will be enough. Some dogs require multiple procedures before they experience meaningful improvement. Whiskey is now awaiting an appointment with a specialist at Mississippi State University for the next stage of her care. In the meantime, her rescuers are doing everything they can to help her maintain her strength and prevent further weight loss. A custom-built upright feeding chair has been ordered so Whiskey can eat in an upright position and remain supported afterward, hopefully helping her keep more of her food down. It's heartbreaking to think that something as ordinary as eating breakfast or drinking water has become such a difficult ordeal for a dog who has already suffered so much. And although Whiskey has been able to return home between hospital visits, she is far from being out of the woods. Her esophageal condition still needs treatment, and her medical journey is far from over. Through it all, Whiskey has continued showing glimpses of the hilarious, stubborn girl her rescuers adore. She still wants to be the center of attention, still has plenty to say, and still manages to cause a little trouble whenever she's feeling up to it. But underneath that larger than life personality is a dog who desperately deserves relief. Marlee's Kisses Great Dane Rescue is asking for help with Whiskey's mounting veterinary expenses, specialist care, and the procedures she needs as her treatment continues. After emergency surgery, repeated hospitalizations, extensive diagnostic testing, medications, and specialist consultations, the financial burden has become overwhelming for this small rescue. And with balloon dilation still ahead, there are more expenses to come. Whiskey has already lost her puppies. She's survived a life threatening infection, endured multiple surgeries, and spent weeks struggling with something as basic as keeping food and water down. She deserves the chance to finally experience life without constantly fighting through another medical crisis. Please consider donating to Whiskey's fundraiser to help her rescue with the costs of her veterinary care. Every contribution, no matter the amount, helps ease the financial burden of her ongoing treatment. And if you're unable to donate, sharing her story can make a difference, too. Whiskey has fought so hard to get this far. Let's help give this sweet, sassy girl the chance to feel like herself again.
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