At just 10 weeks old, our puppy Bustar should be discovering the world — playing, learning, and growing alongside his brother. Instead, he was rushed to the emergency vet struggling to breathe, fighting for his life.
What started as fear quickly turned into devastation. After multiple tests, Bustar was diagnosed with severe hookworm. The parasites had silently taken more than half of his blood, leaving his tiny body too weak to survive on its own. He urgently needed a blood transfusion but there was no local blood supply available.
His brother Slinky became his hero, donating his own blood and saving Bustar’s life. Against the odds, the transfusion worked. Bustar stabilised, and for a moment, we truly believed we were on the road to recovery.
But the fight wasn’t over.
Sadly, Bustar has since been diagnosed with pneumonia. His lungs are fragile, and he is now oxygen-dependent, requiring at least two more days in intensive veterinary care on strong antibiotics, just to see if his little body can begin to heal.
So far, this journey has cost $13,000, and it’s becoming impossible to manage — but walking away is not an option when a life is still fighting. Slinky doesn’t understand what’s happening — he just wants to see the brother he tried so hard to save.
We’re sharing Bustar’s story to raise awareness: hookworm can be deadly, even in puppies who appear healthy. Early prevention and regular checks can mean the difference between life and loss.
Bustar is still here. Still fighting. Still loved.
And Slinky is still waiting for his brother to come home. 🐾
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