Vets Gave Up on Toby—But a Rescue’s Love Brought Him Back to Life
Toby, a tiny puppy, was found barely hanging on in the streets of Bali, Indonesia. He is alive today because a rescuer refused to give up on him. Frail, swollen with ascites, and fighting for his life, Toby looked like he had no chance until the compassionate team at Little Steps Matter Bali stepped in. (Watch Video Below)
@littlestepsmatter.bali Do you believe in miracles? We certainly do.💫 Toby was only just a puppy suffering Ascites when we saved him from the streets of Bali. After months of fluids being drawn daily from his abdominal cavity at the clinic and overseas specialist consulted to find the cure for his condition, the vets gave up and sent him home to us. But we kept on fighting, we did not give up to help Toby heal and so did he. da This is now over one year ago. With intensive care treatment and love, he miraculously made a full recovery and blossomed into a healthy and happy little boy who is charming everyone he comes across. Leave a for Toby if you believe like us, that love is and always will be the answer. Support our good cause for the animals in Bali and help us to make more of those miracles happen by donating via the link in our bio.#bali #dogs #dogrescue #rescuedogs #animalcharity #animalwelfare #foryou #foryourpage #viral #video #trending #fyp #fyppppppppppppppppppppppp #fypage #videoviral ♬ Can We Kiss Forever? – Kina
What followed was a long and difficult road to recovery, filled with setbacks and small victories. But thanks to unwavering love and care, Toby not only survived, he began to thrive. Today, he’s living proof of what hope and second chances can do.
The Disease That Broke Him
Toby was lying helpless on the streets of Bali due to a condition called ascites, where his abdominal cavity swelled with too much fluid. When the Bali-based animal charity, Little Steps Matter, took him in, they immediately started his medical treatment, but things didn’t go as planned.
For months, Toby had to endure daily procedures at the vet clinic to drain the fluid from his belly. The team even consulted with an overseas specialist, hoping to find a long-term solution. But despite their best efforts, no treatment seemed to work, so Toby was sent back to the rescue, still fragile, still fighting.
A Miraculous Recovery
Even when veterinarians doubted Toby would survive, Little Steps Matter refused to give up. They continued to fight for him with relentless care, medical treatment, and unconditional love. And incredibly, a year later, Toby isn’t just surviving—he’s thriving.
From a fragile, abandoned puppy on the streets to a joyful, healthy dog who loves meeting new people, Toby’s transformation is nothing short of remarkable. It’s heartwarming to see how a fully women-led rescue team helped a dog survive against the odds. The result? Nothing short of breathtaking.
Pet advocate Rocky Kanaka says Toby’s journey is “a beautiful reminder that hope isn’t just a word—it’s something we give through action,” adding that “the love and fight this rescue poured into him saved his life, and now he’s living proof that miracles do happen.”
What is Ascites in Dogs?
Toby’s story calls for an exploration into the ascites disease in dogs. What is dog ascites? What are its symptoms, and how can it be treated?
A veterinarian, Dr. Barri J. Morrison, “Ascites, also known as an abdominal effusion or free abdominal fluid, is a serious, possibly life-threatening medical condition in which a dog’s abdomen fills up with fluid.”
Normally, organs like the liver, pancreas, stomach, intestines, spleen, and bladder fit snugly in the abdomen with hardly any extra fluid around them. But with ascites, these organs are basically floating in fluid, which isn’t good.
Causes of Ascites Disease in Dogs
Ascites in dogs is like a warning sign that something’s seriously wrong. When fluid builds up in the belly, it’s usually a symptom of a bigger issue that needs vet attention.
Some common culprits include heart problems like heart disease or heartworms, liver issues like chronic liver failure, or low protein levels due to kidney disease. Trauma, infections like peritonitis, poisoning (like from rat poison), and even cancer can also cause ascites.
In many cases, organs can rupture or get damaged, leading to fluid leaks, or tumors can cause inflammation and fluid buildup. Whatever the reason, it’s crucial to get your dog to the vet quickly to figure out what’s going on and how to fix it.
Ascites Symptoms in Dogs
When dogs have ascites, their symptoms can vary depending on how much fluid is building up and what’s causing it.
Some common signs to look out for, according to Dr. Morrison, include feeling lethargic, losing their appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, and a noticeably swollen belly. They might also gain weight, seem restless, or pant excessively.
If your dog is in pain, they might whine or whimper when they lie down or when you touch their belly. In more severe cases, you might notice their gums looking pale, or they might even faint or have trouble breathing.
Ascites Treatment for Dogs
The first step after ascites diagnosis in dogs is usually to drain the excess fluid from their belly. This won’t necessarily fix the problem, but it’ll help figure out what’s causing it.
Treatment will focus on addressing the underlying issue, which might involve surgery for things like tumors or damaged organs.
Your dog will likely need hospitalization and might receive IV meds to help absorb fluid. Depending on the cause, they might need a blood transfusion or a special diet. The goal is to get your dog the right treatment to manage their condition and improve their quality of life.
