When Brittany Turnbill’s 8-year-old Shih Tzu, Sugar – whom she affectionately refers to as her “daughter” – had an ear infection, she rushed her to her local veterinarian. However, once an egregious error was made, what had begun as a regular visit turned into a life-or-death situation. according to iheartdogs.com

Sugar was accidently injected with a euthanasia medicine instead of treatment for an ear infection, which was unintentionally administered to her.

Turnbill was informed of the awful news by the veterinarian, who advised him to take Sugar to an emergency facility in Columbus, Ohio, immediately. “We unintentionally killed her, and she has the right to die,” she was informed.

Turnbill was surprised and terrified, and she hurried her beloved family cat to MedVet, a full-service emergency animal hospital that is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Sugar was removed from her arms as soon as they arrived and sent back to the intensive care unit, where a tracheal tube was put and she was linked up to a ventilator to keep her alive.

Turnbill was informed that there was nothing more he could do except wait. There was no turning back the lethal chemical that was pouring through her veins. The best they could do was keep Sugar hydrated and intubated for the first crucial 24 hours and wait to see whether she would make it – or if she would succumb to her injuries.

However, a veterinarian at MedVet advised Turnbill that it would take another 72 hours for Sugar’s small body to digest the medication before they would be able to determine how much harm had been done. Besides that, there was still the possibility that she may not make it at all.

Later that day, when the family came to visit with the comatose dog, her heart rate began to rise, indicating that she was responding positively to their words. Sugar had made the decision to fight on some level of his own will! By the evening of the next day, the little pup had gained enough strength to be removed off the ventilator. Despite the fact that she had not yet regained consciousness, she was moving more and reacting to the sounds of her guests.

Sugar was able to come out of her coma only three days after her frightening adventure started! Following the removal of her breathing tube, she was able to venture outdoors for a toilet break and then consume a whole jar of chicken-flavored baby food! Although Turnbill and her ecstatic family were relieved to be able to touch their precious pooch for the first time in days, Sugar was still not out of the woods. She still needed to be examined to see whether she had suffered any irreversible brain damage.

An EEG was done on the subject. Nothing new was disclosed, other for the risk of modest short-term memory loss. Sugar was going to be alright, it seemed! During the situation, she developed an ulcer in one of her eyes, but she was eventually rescued and sent to a safe location in time.

Sugar was discharged from MedVet with meds for her wounded eye and an ear infection that she had acquired while there. But, surprisingly, she is still alive and healthy, despite the fact that she must wear an inconvenient electronic collar around her neck until her next checkup session next week. Her fatigued, befuddled, and immensely thankful family is assisting her in resting and recuperating at home with them.

The reaction to Sugar’s story, which was shared as part of a series of updates on Turnbill’s Facebook page, has been overwhelming. Thousands of people from all around the globe came together to show their support, love, and prayers for a small puppy they had never even met before.

Despite the gravity of the error that came close to taking Sugar’s life, Turnbill’s reaction to the tragedy is largely favorable on his social media pages. The vet who inadvertently injured Sugar is not mentioned as a source of resentment by her. They are brimming with appreciation for the professionals at MedVet, the innumerable letters of encouragement, and her dog’s brief but wonderful existence.