08/04/2026
Last week, in the early hours of the morning, our team got to work with an emergency C-section on Azalea, a little dog who was struggling to give birth on her own. A puppy had become lodged in the birth canal (a condition called dystocia), and labor had stopped progressing. Without emergency intervention, both Azalea and her puppies were at serious risk. Thanks to the quick action and expertise of our veterinary team, four healthy puppies were safely delivered, and Azalea was able to head home to recover with her babies.
As happy as we are with the outcome for Azalea and her puppies, this is also an important reminder of why spaying and neutering matters.
Azalea's owner had every intention of scheduling her spay, but before they had the chance, her father's dog got Azalea pregnant. It's something we hear time and time again, and unfortunately, situations like this can quickly become life-threatening emergencies that are emotionally and financially overwhelming for families. A routine spay is safer, less expensive, and helps prevent emergencies like this from ever happening.
At Wisconsin Community Veterinary Center, our mission is to make veterinary care accessible for the families who need it most. While we work hard to keep our prices as affordable as possible, emergency surgeries are complex procedures that require an entire medical team, specialized equipment, anesthesia, monitoring, and intensive post-operative care.
For families who are struggling financially, our Lifeline Veterinary Fund can help bridge the gap, ensuring pets receive the care they need when the unexpected happens. The same fund also helps provide routine spay and neuter surgeries and treatment for sick and injured pets whose families otherwise couldn't afford care. But we are only able to provide this support, and keep our prices reduced overall, with the support of individuals who believe in our mission. If you're able, please consider donating to our Lifeline Veterinary Fund at wicvc.org/lifeline to help us continue to provide lifesaving care.
Please don't wait. If your pet has not yet been spayed or neutered, schedule the procedure before an accidental pregnancy becomes an emergency.
We're so grateful Azalea's story ended with four healthy puppies, and are once again proud of our team's quick and compassionate action.
