Meet FACE Success Story Abel

This beautiful cat is Abel!  Abel was suffering from a urinary blockage and had to go to the vet for treatment.  Sadly, he became re-obstruced within 24 hours and needed a perineal urethrostomy (a surgery that permanently opens up the urethra in cats prone to blockages).

Urinary blockages are a common condition in male cats, but can quickly become life-threatening when a cat is unable to urinate.

Money was tight for Abel’s family, so with the help of a FACE grant, he was able to get the surgery he needed to live a normal life again.

Abel’s family reports that he is now home and recovering well from his surgery!

 

Meet FACE Success Story Zeus!

This handsome fellow is a 9 month old Siberian Husky pup named Zeus.  Zeus and his human dad were unfortunately involved in a car accident recently.  The car was totaled but luckily Zeus’s dad was unhurt.

Zeus initially seemed fine too, although he was tossed about a little in the back seat.  It was only later at home that he began to show signs that he was unwell.  His veterinarian diagnosed Zeus with intussusception, a condition where one segment of the intestines slides (or “telescopes”) into another.

Zeus required surgery to fix his urgent medical problem, and the combination of an unexpected car accident and a veterinary emergency were financially difficult for his family to handle.

With the help of a grant from FACE, Zeus was able to get the surgery he needed and is now back at home recovering with his family!

 

Meet FACE Success Story Pinky!

This adorable Poodle is the pampered pet of Chris, who opened her heart to Pinky after her previous owner passed away.

When Pinky began to have trouble walking, Chris took her to the vet where she was diagnosed with ruptured cruciate ligaments in both of her back legs.

Pinky’s double-leg surgery would cost several thousand dollars and her loving family began fundraising efforts to help pay for it.

They reached out to the FACE Foundation for a grant, and we partnered with Banfield Pet Hospital to get Pinky the treatment she needed.

Pinky is now recovering and doing well.  She even made the local CBS News here in San Diego!  Watch her heartwarming story now:

 

3D Printing Gives Dachshund Second Chance at Life

Patches, an adorable 9-year-old Dachshund, developed a tumor on the top of her head that grew aggressively until it began to press on her brain and eyes.  Veterinarians knew that they needed to remove a large portion of her skull to treat her.

Patches needed a new “skull” to cover the opening at the top of her head.  The solution?  A 3D printed titanium implant custom made to fit Patches!

Veterinarians performed a 4-hour operation, removing the tumor and attaching the implant to her skull.

While 3D printing technology has been used successfully to create artificial limbs and lower jaws for animals, using it for a skull plate is unusual.

Veterinarians note that a high cost, complicated procedure would be most effectively used in a case like Patches—when a pet cannot survive without the implant.

Click HERE to read an article about Patches, and check out this video documenting her incredible story:

 

Image:  Dr. Michelle Oblak

 

Meet Tiny!

Meet Tiny! When her owners were walking this sweet girl, she took off running and was suddenly hit by a car. After they rushed her to the emergency room, they found out that she was suffering from severe head trauma and needed much supportive care to rehabilitate her. After they had spent all they could to help save her, Tiny’s owners could not afford the few more days Tiny needed in the hospital to fully recover. Thankfully, they reached out to FACE who with the help of Veterinary Specialty Hospital was able to help give Tiny the supportive care she needed. Special thanks to FACE Life Sponsor Wells Fargo for helping to save Tiny.