We found Izzy lying flat in the pebble yard, acting differently than her usual bright, friendly self. Personality-wise, she just wasn’t herself. It was concerning. We gave her some pain medicine, but considering her age and the time of day, we didn’t feel comfortable waiting to see if she’d get better or worse—we decided to head to the hospital.
The Drive and Check-Up
By the time we made the 30-minute drive, Izzy had perked up a bit—but we were still cautious. At the hospital, the veterinary team performed a full workup, including bloodwork to check for dehydration and any other abnormalities, as well as a physical exam to rule out abdominal problems like an obstruction.
Good news: everything looked great! We were so relieved to see her lab results and exam all clear.
Overnight Observation
Izzy stayed overnight so the team could monitor her closely, especially once the pain medicine wore off, to make sure she didn’t get uncomfortable again.
Bonus: she was placed right across from Lucy, so the two could see and talk to each other while under supervision.
Cautious, But Caring
With so many senior animals at the Sanctuary, it’s sometimes hard to know whether we’re overreacting or catching something early. In situations like this, we’d rather be cautious and bring them in—and in Izzy’s case, it paid off.
Feeling Much Better
Izzy stayed at the hospital over the weekend and did fantastically well. She came back home on Monday morning, bright-eyed, happy, and feeling much better. We are incredibly grateful for her resilience and for the amazing care she received!
