The Brickell family, comprising Nicole, her husband, and two teenage sons, experienced a devastating loss just a month after adopting a puppy named Charlie from the Ontario SPCA Orillia Animal Shelter. Having lost their previous dog to old age, they eagerly anticipated welcoming Charlie into their home. Charlie, a six-month-old puppy, initially seemed like the perfect fit, exhibiting a calm demeanor that resonated well with the family, particularly the two teenage sons who struggled with anxiety. The adoption process appeared straightforward, with the shelter informing the Brickells about Charlie’s recent spay surgery, a hernia repair, and an eye issue for which she was receiving medication. Assured that Charlie was otherwise healthy, the family joyfully brought her home.
However, their joy soon turned to concern as Charlie displayed unusual symptoms. She exhibited a lack of appetite, excessive thirst, and lethargy. Initially, the family attributed these signs to the puppy’s adjustment to her new environment. However, as the symptoms persisted and worsened, they sought veterinary care. Multiple visits to different veterinarians over several weeks provided no definitive diagnosis, and Charlie’s condition continued to deteriorate. The Brickells unknowingly found themselves providing hospice care for their newly adopted puppy, a stark contrast to the joyful experience they had envisioned. The situation became dire when Charlie began vomiting and became increasingly lethargic, prompting an emergency veterinary visit.
The emergency veterinarian’s blood tests revealed kidney issues, and the estimated treatment cost exceeded $10,000. The Brickells contacted the SPCA to inquire about any pre-adoption bloodwork performed on Charlie, only to discover that none had been conducted. Faced with the exorbitant cost of treatment, the SPCA offered the Brickells two options: surrender Charlie back to the shelter or receive a refund of the adoption fee and retain responsibility for all her medical expenses. Feeling overwhelmed and unsupported, Nicole initially opted to surrender Charlie. She describes feeling pressured and emotionally drained by the situation, struggling to cope with the puppy’s declining health and the mounting financial burden.
However, upon arriving at the designated emergency veterinary clinic recommended by the SPCA, the Brickells had a change of heart. The realization that surrendering Charlie might mean losing her completely prompted them to reconsider. They decided to explore a payment plan to cover the dog’s medical care, unwilling to give up on their new family member. Further tests revealed a severe congenital kidney condition called renal dysplasia. Charlie was missing one kidney, and the other was significantly underdeveloped. The devastating prognosis gave Charlie only days to weeks to live. Ultimately, the Brickells made the heartbreaking decision to euthanize her, just 38 days after bringing her home.
The Brickell family now faces close to $8,000 in medical expenses, a financial burden compounding their emotional grief. They are questioning the SPCA’s pre-adoption veterinary protocols, specifically the lack of bloodwork, which could have potentially revealed Charlie’s kidney condition. Dr. Maggie Brown-Bury, an executive member of the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association, supports the practice of pre-anesthetic blood tests as best practice. While acknowledging that the majority of young animals have normal bloodwork, she emphasizes the importance of such tests in detecting underlying conditions that might not yet present obvious symptoms. These tests are crucial not only for ensuring the animal’s safe response to anesthesia but also for identifying potential health issues early on.
The Ontario SPCA expressed their condolences to the Brickell family and maintained that Charlie received standard veterinary care before adoption. They stated their commitment to the health and well-being of animals in their care and emphasized their regular communication with the Brickells since Charlie’s health concerns arose. However, the Brickells believe more could have been done to identify Charlie’s condition before adoption. They hope that sharing their story will prevent other families from experiencing a similar tragedy. Nicole expresses frustration with the SPCA’s response, feeling that they have been left to bear the financial burden of caring for a sick animal they adopted in good faith. The Brickell’s experience highlights the complexities of animal adoption and raises questions about the responsibility of shelters to ensure the health of animals placed in loving homes.
