Rescued Mom Dog Catherine Is Critically Sick — Help Her Stay Strong for Her Puppy

Just weeks ago, Catherine and her tiny baby Heath were found abandoned in a truck yard in Miami — a place our rescue sadly knows too well. We call it _the rockpit_, because it’s where people dump unwanted dogs and leave them to fend for themselves. Catherine is only 8 months old herself. Instead of growing up safe in a home, she was struggling to survive while caring for her 3-week-old puppy.

Saving Sage Animal Rescue Foundation stepped in and brought them to safety. But then everything took a frightening turn. Catherine suddenly began vomiting repeatedly — 6 to 7 times in a short period. We rushed her to the shelter where she received fluids and anti-nausea medications (Cerenia and ondansetron). When they weighed her, the news was alarming: Catherine had lost over a full pound, dropping from 6.2 lbs to just 5.1 lbs. For such a tiny dog, that amount of weight loss is extremely serious.

She stabilized after treatment and seemed bright and alert when we brought her home. The shelter told us the medication should stop the vomiting. But only ten minutes after eating a small amount of wet food mixed with puppy milk replacer, Catherine vomited again. At that point, we knew she needed immediate veterinary care.

We rushed her to a nearby veterinary clinic where they are running tests right now to determine what’s causing her severe vomiting and rapid weight loss. Our biggest fear is something like parvovirus or a dangerous infection, which could quickly become life-threatening — especially for a young nursing mother.

While Catherine is fighting to get better, her tiny baby Heath still needs her. At just three weeks old, he relies on her completely. Saving Sage Animal Rescue Foundation is committed to doing whatever it takes to help Catherine recover so she can continue caring for her baby and eventually find the safe, loving home she has always deserved. But emergency veterinary care is expensive, and these unexpected cases add up quickly for a small rescue.

Your support today can help cover:

• Emergency exam and diagnostics

• Bloodwork and testing to determine the cause of her illness

• Medications and supportive care

• Ongoing treatment to help Catherine recover and stay strong for Heath

Every donation, no matter the amount, helps give this young mama the chance to heal and continue caring for her baby. Catherine has already survived abandonment and the harsh conditions of the rockpit. With your help, we can make sure this is where her story turns around.

Please consider donating and sharing Catherine and Heath’s story. Together, we can help this tiny family get the care they urgently need.