Dog owner Justine Deleon faced a big decision when her 12-year-old dog recently fell severely ill, showing signs that led the Florida resident to believe it might be time to say goodbye.
What started as a routine vet trip soon turned into a $3,000 bill, but ultimately saved her dog’s life.
In a viral video with more than 1.5 million views on TikTok, Deleon shared the story of her dog Gemma’s ordeal.
“My dog is 12 years old now and she was not able to hold her urine in, looked very weak, and was very lethargic. We had known she had previous kidney issues, so we assumed her kidneys were finally done,” Deleon told Newsweek. Fearing the worst, she and her husband took Gemma to the vet, prepared for the possibility of having to put her down.
A screengrab from the viral video where Justine Deleon shared what happened to her elderly dog. What started as a routine vet trip soon turned into a $3,000 bill, but ultimately saved her dog’s life.
@thatsmrsd/TikTok
But after an X-ray, the vet discovered a different problem altogether—bladder stones that had completely filled Gemma’s bladder, leaving no room for urine.
“The vet told me that he could do surgery to remove them, and I am so glad he did because our 12-year-old now acts like a puppy again,” Deleon said. “You can tell she is so happy and feels so much better.”
The surgery came with a hefty price tag of $3,000, a significant sum for the family. Despite financial concerns, Deleon and her husband decided to apply for a credit card and were approved, a decision they do not regret.
“I knew $3,000 was a lot, and my husband and I couldn’t really afford it, but we applied for a care credit card to help, and I don’t regret it at all,” she shared. “Our pets are a part of our family.”
In the viral video, the family documented the emotional rollercoaster they went through, and Deleon hoped that the story would serve as a cautionary tale for other dog owners.
She emphasized the importance of monitoring the quality of the water pets consume, and advised viewers to consider filtered or bottled water to help prevent bladder stones.
A 2016 study by Trupanion, a medical insurance provider for pets, found a correlation between urinary health conditions in cats and dogs and hard water ratings in U.S. cities, as reported by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
According to the study, cats in areas with “extremely hard” water were significantly more likely to develop urinary issues, such as crystalluria (crystals in urine), compared to those in areas with softer water.
Male cats in these regions were three times more likely to suffer from urinary complications. Dogs, while less frequently affected than cats, also showed higher incidences of urinary conditions in areas with hard water.
Cities with “extremely hard” water, like Tampa, Florida, saw a notably higher rate of urinary issues in pets. Trupanion reported paying over 10 times as many claims for crystalluria in male cats in Tampa compared to those in areas with softer water. These findings suggest that the mineral content in hard water, specifically calcium and magnesium, may contribute to the development of bladder stones and other urinary conditions in pets.
Bladder stones in dogs are mineral formations that develop in the urinary bladder, ranging from tiny grains to larger stones that can cause significant discomfort and health issues. Although tap water is not typically a direct cause of bladder stones, the hard water that contains high levels of these minerals may contribute to their formation.
Common signs of bladder stones in dogs include straining to urinate, blood in urine, frequent urination in small amounts, accidents in the house, and increased thirst. Anyone concerned about a pet’s health or behavior should consult a veterinarian as soon as possible.
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