Trauma to Triumph: The Story of Patient 25-573

https://youtube.com/shorts/8RNgDB-NDWI?si=uJY4CV-H6s2tcQaK

This Woodhouse’s toad was the victim of a tragic accident—a city employee performing landscape maintenance at Southridge Greens Golf Course in Fort Collins unknowingly stabbed him with a gardening knife, causing catastrophic injuries.

The blade pierced his body cavity so deeply that his lung prolapsed outside of his body and a portion of his liver was left exposed. It was a trauma few animals survive.

But instead of walking away, the employee acted quickly and responsibly—bringing the toad straight to our wildlife hospital. Our team stabilized him and coordinated emergency surgery at CSU’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital, where their exotics team performed a high-risk, delicate procedure to save his life.

Now, he’s recovering in a cozy enclosure at our hospital—next to another rescued Woodhouse’s toad—receiving pain relief, antibiotics, and a whole lot of rest.

The surgery cost $531, and his post-op medications, monitoring, and rehabilitation are expected to bring his total care costs to over $1,000.

Northern Colorado Wildlife Center doesn’t receive any tax funding, and we have no way of billing municipalities or state agencies for the life-saving care we provide. Every single patient we treat is here because of the generosity of people like you.

If this little toad’s fight for survival speaks to you, please consider donating to help cover the cost of his care—and to ensure we can keep saying “yes” to the next wild life in crisis.

📬 Donations can be dropped off or mailed to:

2637 Midpoint Drive, Suite E

Fort Collins, CO 80525

🌐 Or make a secure online gift at: www.nocowildlife.org

Every dollar makes a difference.

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