A woman is frantically scrambling to cover exorbitant medical costs for her cherished family dog, Teddy, who recently suffered a severe internal blockage, resulting in him vomiting 20 times within a single day.
Lizzie Horner, a 47-year-old mother of two from Romsey, had her life turned upside down last month when Teddy, her three-year-old miniature Labradoodle, abruptly fell gravely ill.
Teddy, who already contends with various allergies, left Lizzie in a state of panic when her daughter called her “in hysterics” one day after witnessing Teddy “collapse” without warning. It was clear that this was a serious medical emergency.
After the shocking phone call, the mother rushed Teddy to the emergency veterinary clinic, Vets Now in Bitterne, where veterinarians diagnosed him with a significant blockage at the opening of his stomach.
“The vets told me they did not know how long the blockage had been there – weeks, days, or longer,” Lizzie recounted, her voice tinged with anguish.
The mysterious mass obstructing Teddy’s stomach was suspected to be a troubling combination of fibers, hair, and some plastic materials.
Teddy underwent surgery two weeks ago to remove the blockage, but doctors cautioned that he might require a second surgery, which could pose additional risks to his already fragile health.
Lizzie recalled: “We were told another surgery may not be very successful, so my daughters and I were besides ourselves. We sobbed and sobbed as we thought he was not going to make it.”
However, after the first surgery, the family was relieved to bring Teddy home, and they quickly noticed improvements as he began to drink water—a feat he had been unable to accomplish prior due to the blockage.
Despite Teddy’s heartwarming recovery, Lizzie is facing financial strain as her Petplan insurance fund is now depleted. With more treatments and potential surgeries likely to come, she is determined to do everything within her power to ensure Teddy enjoys a fulfilling life.
Out of her own pocket, Lizzie has already paid Vets Now £892, along with an additional £1,273 to her regular veterinary clinic; however, well over £4,800 worth of Teddy’s medical treatment had initially been covered by insurance.
“With Petplan, I thought I had coverage for life as I chose the premium package,” Lizzie explained. “I thought I had between £5,000 to £6,000 left, but after all his allergy treatments, I didn’t have as much as I thought—only £3,000.”
As Teddy’s medical bills began to spiral out of control, Lizzie found herself using funds from her business while also borrowing money to continue paying her staff.
She mentioned, “I have a car to sell, but it hasn’t gone through yet,” highlighting the family’s challenging financial situation.
‘He brings us together’
Teddy has become a central figure in the Horner household; Lizzie said: “Teddy is a special dog. It was heartbreaking to know he could potentially not get the care he needs.”
“We don’t want to be in a position of setting up a fundraiser, but Teddy is a central part of the family, and he brings us together,” she added, reflecting on his importance in their lives.
The Horner family initially brought Teddy into their home as an anxiety dog for Lizzie’s autistic daughter, and he has proven to be the gentlest and kindest companion who is always by their side.
Visit www.gofundme.com/f/teddy-bear-ongoing-veterinary-costs to contribute to Lizzie’s fundraising efforts for Teddy’s ongoing medical expenses.
**Interview with Lizzie Horner: A Mother’s Battle to Save Her Dog Teddy**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Lizzie. Your story about Teddy is emotional, and many pet owners can relate. Can you start by telling us a bit about Teddy and what happened that day?
**Lizzie:** Thank you for having me. Teddy is our beloved miniature Labradoodle. He’s just three years old and has been a vital part of our family. The day everything changed started with a frantic call from my daughter. She was in tears, saying Teddy had collapsed. I rushed home and took him straight to the emergency vet.
**Editor:** That must have been terrifying for you and your family. What did the vets find when you arrived?
**Lizzie:** They diagnosed him with a significant blockage at the opening of his stomach. The vets weren’t sure how long it had been there, which made us feel even more helpless. It turned out to be a mix of fibers, hair, and some plastic that he must have ingested.
**Editor:** After the diagnosis, what were the next steps?
**Lizzie:** Teddy had to undergo surgery to remove the blockage. It was emotionally draining for my daughters and me. The vet warned us that he might need a second surgery, and there were no guarantees he would pull through. We were devastated at the thought of losing him.
**Editor:** Thankfully, Teddy made it through his first surgery. How did the family cope during that waiting period?
**Lizzie:** We were a complete mess, sobbing and praying for his recovery. When we finally got to bring him home, it was such a relief to see him starting to drink water again. It felt like a small victory, but we knew the journey wasn’t over yet.
**Editor:** You mentioned financial strain due to the treatments. Can you share more about that?
**Lizzie:** Yes, we chose Petplan insurance, but it’s now depleted after the surgery. With ongoing treatments and potential follow-up surgeries, the costs are piling up. I’m doing everything I can to make sure Teddy gets the care he needs, but it’s tough financially.
**Editor:** It’s heartbreaking to hear, Lizzie. What advice would you give to other pet owners about being prepared for such emergencies?
**Lizzie:** I’d tell them to definitely look into pet insurance early on and understand the coverage. Also, setting aside some savings for unexpected vet bills can make a world of difference. You never know when your furry friend might need urgent care.
**Editor:** Thank you for sharing your family’s experience with us, Lizzie. We hope Teddy continues to recover and thrive!
**Lizzie:** Thank you. We’re doing everything we can for Teddy. He means the world to us.
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