Coast couple spends life savings to keep six-month-old puppy alive

This Gold Coast family have already spent their life savings trying to keep their six-month-old puppy Biggie Smalls alive. Now they’re desperate for help to save the beloved pet.

A GOLD Coast family were in the midst of Christmas celebrations when their six-month old puppy Biggie Smalls started throwing up.

Not once, but ten times in a row.

Concerned, his owners Kayla Johnson and Phil Street called Carrara clinic Animal Emergency Services.

“His breathing was fast paced,” Ms Johnson said.

“The vets said he was critical, It turned into a nightmare within 10 minutes.”

Vets told them the English Bulldog had aspirated, meaning he had inhaled some of his own vomit and it had filled one of his lungs.

The puppy is being kept alive on life support. Photo: Facebook

He needed to go onto life support immediately, costing the young couple $7500 in his first 24 hours at the vet.

But he didn’t get better, instead developing a lung infection from the aspiration.

It has cost the couple about $4000 a day for him to stay on life support. They have forked out $14,000 already and owe nearly $10,000 to the vets, which has completely depleted their savings.

Ms Johnson said Biggie had pet insurance, but the plan was unlikely to cover the total amount it would take to get him back to full health.

Ms Johnson said today, five days after he was first placed on life support, was the first time Biggie had opened his eyes.

“He’s not out of the woods yet,” Ms Johnson said.

“He’ll need to stay here for at least another three days. That’s why I started the fundraiser.

“It will cost another $12,000 to $16,000 at the moment for him to stay on the ventilator.”

The family refuse to give up on their beloved pet. Photo: Facebook

Ms Johnson said she did not want to see him put down if it was a simple matter of money.

“It’s been very hard (on my boyfriend’s) two children to see him like that, but we were told it could be the last time we see him,” she said.

“The vets said he had a 30 per cent chance of getting better.

“It’s just time... that he needs. He’s showing signs of getting better.”

Ms Johnson hopes to raise enough money to cover the rest of the bills for his vet care.

Donations can be made here: https://www.facebook.com/donate/2047375165352594/2047382185351892/