LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KTHV) - Mochi’s made it big! She holds the Guinness World Record for world’s longest dog tongue, she’ll be featured in the book Guinness World Records Amazing Animals 2018, she stars in a series of children’s books and she’s been touring North America to spread the message that all creatures are special! But none of this would have been possible without her Petplan pet insurance coverage.
When Carla and Craig Rickert rescued Mochi in 2010, they never expected that the abused and neglected St. Bernard would become famous. They just loved her soulful face, big fluffy body and comical personality.
The Rickerts already had a 2-year-old Newfoundland; knowing the expenses required to care for a furry family, they decided to enroll both gentle giants in pet insurance policies right away. After carefully researching rates and coverage, they chose Petplan.
The Rickert family canines had very few medical concerns in their first few years of life, and the Rickerts even considered canceling their pet insurance in 2014. Then in January of 2015, the family received a reality check.
Mochi was on a walk near her home when she suddenly let out a yelp and turned her head slightly to the side. Her mom rubbed her neck and they continued walking back to their home. When Mochi took a small step inside her front door, she let out another yelp and dropped her head. Mochi’s mom massaged her again and the St. Bernard settled in for her daily nap.
That evening, Mochi appeared to have a stiff neck and was walking with slow, deliberate steps. When she refused to eat or go outside, her parents called the mobile vet. After an exam, her veterinarian recommended an appointment with a veterinary neurology specialist. But that night, Mochi’s condition went from bad to worse.
When Mochi went for her last outside break of the evening, she lay down and refused to walk. Her parents noticed right away that her front paws were turned in and curled under. Mochi weighed about 180 pounds, so getting her back to the house was no easy task. Between encouraging her to walk short distances and carrying her the rest of the way, it took half an hour to make it two blocks back home.
Though Mochi slept soundly through the night, she was worse still in the morning — nearly paralyzed. Mochi’s family called the mobile vet again, who put her on a human gurney for transport to the veterinary neurology specialist’s clinic an hour’s drive away.
At the clinic, tests were run and X-rays were taken. As soon as the veterinarian came back with the results, the grim look on his face spoke a thousand words.
The vet and his assistant explained that Mochi had ruptured a disc in her spine and that the disc matter was impinging the spinal cord, causing paralysis. They said that she would require surgery, and as Mochi was the largest dog they had ever performed the procedure on, it would cost approximately $12,000. It was their only option, the vet said — in fact, with each passing hour that the spinal cord was pinched, the chances of Mochi’s recovery shrank.
The reality of the situation sank in when the vet said, matter-of-factly, “If you opt not to do the surgery, the only humane option is to euthanize her today.” The Rickerts were horrified at the thought that the surgery’s cost could force them to euthanize this beautiful spirit, a loyal member of their family. Mochi lay on the gurney, wagging her tail and looking at her parents with pleading eyes.
The vet told Carla Rickert to take as much time as she needed with Mochi, and left the room. While cuddling Mochi, crying and apologizing for having to say goodbye, Carla suddenly remembered their Petplan policy. Right away, she called Petplan’s customer service team, who quickly confirmed that as it was not a pre-existing condition, the surgery would be covered — even considering the staggering cost.
Just like that, the whole situation changed! Carla hugged Mochi and called down the hallway for their vet. She announced that their pet insurance policy would cover the surgery, and gave them the go-ahead. The neurology team was delighted, having fallen in love with this sweet pup during the two hours she’d been in the clinic.
What followed was a whirlwind of cardiology tests and even an MRI at a human hospital; then came over eight hours of emergency surgery that lasted through the night. Even after pulling out all the stops to save Mochi, the team said she only had a 40 percent chance of recovery.
Mochi’s brave spirit helped her persevere — in fact, she surprised everyone by trying to walk the very first day after surgery. She improved daily and was able to walk again unassisted after three weeks of water treadmill therapy and other intensive physical therapy work at the specialty vet hospital. Petplan came through for the family once again by covering all of her rehabilitative care.
Mochi and the Rickert family are so grateful to Petplan for saving her life over two years ago. Because of pet insurance, Mochi can keep on bringing joy to people around the world with her sweet face, beautiful personality and of course, her lovably large tongue!