When Lux's family noticed that she was feeling listless, depressed, and not eating well, their first step was to bring her to the emergency room at a local veterinary hospital. The news was not good; doctors felt that 10-year-old Lux was likely suffering from a closed pyometra, a serious bacterial infection of the uterus that, if left untreated, could quickly become fatal. Lux needed surgery immediately to give her a chance to survive.

Unfortunately, Lux's family found the estimate for the surgery was out of reach for them financially. Thankfully, the local veterinary hospital knew of the MSPCA-Angell: Nevins Farm Clinic and referred the family to the Methuen medical staff for a reduced-cost surgical option. Given the urgency of Lux's condition, the Nevins' veterinary team agreed to see her right away.

Upon arrival, the MSPCA-Angell veterinarians were very concerned about her prognosis; Lux's blood work values were well outside the normal range. Based on the blood work and how she was presenting, they were concerned about the potential of sepsis or some underlying liver conditions, given that she was jaundiced. Moving forward with surgery while Lux's condition was so unstable meant she was at significant risk of not surviving the surgery or succumbing during her recovery. But it was the only option that gave her a chance at survival, and Lux's family agreed to move forward, knowing the risks.

Fortunately, after several rocky days post-surgery, Lux began to turn a corner in her recovery and was reunited with her loving family. Thanks to our generous donors, clinic staff was able to help the family financially during her recuperation when Lux needed additional supportive medications and blood work to ensure her recovery was complete.

These days, Lux is happily living with her family, who is immensely grateful for the care she received at the MSPCA-Angell: Nevins Farm Clinic.

Learn more about our MSPCA-Angell Clinics at mspca.org/clinics.