India Could Barely Breathe

Her tongue was turning blue The hospital has confirmed another aspiration bronchopneumonia.

This morning, Maribel sent me a video of India struggling for every breath. She had regurgitated during the night, her temperature was 39.6 °C and her tongue was becoming bluish because she was not receiving enough oxygen.

I recognised the signs. India has chronic megaesophagus, and even a small episode of regurgitation can allow material to enter her lungs. I told Maribel to take her to the hospital immediately.

The examination and X-rays revealed severe chronic lung changes caused by repeated aspiration, together with a new pneumonic component. Her white blood cell count had reached 29,000. Her heart and blood chemistry looked good. Her lungs did not. India had to remain in hospital.

India has been with us since 2017. She was born with a vascular defect that was surgically corrected, but the megaesophagus remained. For almost nine years, every meal has required special care. She eats upright in a Bailey chair, is closely monitored and, whenever aspiration occurs, we have to act immediately.

“Most of the time, India is happy and full of life. Then a morning like this arrives”

A one-off donation will help us cover the cost of this hospital stay. Monthly support allows us to continue caring for India after the emergency has passed and to be ready for every animal who already depends on us.

If you can sustain a monthly gift of 10, 25 or any other amount, please become a monthly donor today. If you cannot make that commitment, a one-off donation will still make a real difference.

If you already donate every month, I am not asking you to increase your gift. Please send India’s story personally to one person and ask them to join you.

Help us keep the promise we made to India in 2017