BUNCOMBE COUNTY, N.C. (WGHP) -- The High Point Police Department is thanking a group of veterinary experts in Buncombe County for helping one of their K-9s with a medical emergency. While Kira was in western North Carolina with HPPD officers over the weekend in the town of Biltmore Forest, she was rushed to the Veterinary Emergency Group and had emergency surgery, according to an HPPD statement released on Monday. The High Point Police Department is thanking a group of veterinary experts in Buncombe County for helping one of their K-9s with a medical emergency (HPPD)The High Point Police Department is thanking a group of veterinary experts in Buncombe County for helping one of their K-9s with a medical emergency (HPPD)The High Point Police Department is thanking a group of veterinary experts in Buncombe County for helping one of their K-9s with a medical emergency (HPPD)The High Point Police Department is thanking a group of veterinary experts in Buncombe County for helping one of their K-9s with a medical emergency (HPPD) Kira's handler Lieutenant Zach Wilkins noticed something was wrong and was worried no one would be available to help. “I was thinking there wasn’t going to be anything open because of where we were and the disaster,” he said. Fortunately, an emergency veterinary office was open down the road. The HPPD says the staff provided top-notch care. “She got a case of bloat. What that is is when the stomach turns in the dog, it cuts the air and blood off to the stomach and a lot of the organs behind it,” Wilkens said. Wilkins says this was the second case of bloat the vet had seen from a K-9 unit that week, but there’s no way to tell what exactly brought it on.  “She’s been attached to me ever since,” he said. She had a lot of air stuck in her stomach with no way to get it out without invasive surgery. It was difficult for Wilkins to see his partner in such bad shape, but he stayed by her side.  After he knew she was going to be OK, Wilkins had to get back to work. It was the first time in two years he was on duty without Kira.  “I caught myself looking back behind me to see because she was so quiet, and she’s not usually quiet. So I did catch myself looking back. A lot of K-9 handlers will know where I’m coming from,” Wilkens said. She won’t be cleared back to work for some time. “It’s hard for her not ... to stay busy. She’s a patrol dog. She’s trained in narcotics, tracking ... air search and evidence recovery. She’s found a lot of bad guys through her career,” Wilkens said. Kira couldn't get settled in a kennel, so the staff moved her to a chair and sat with her all night. One of the doctors even took a nap with her. Thanks to them, Kira is recovering and doing much better. "This was a scary situation for K9 Kira and her lieutenant, especially being far from home. The VEG team went above and beyond, giving Kira and our officers the best care, treating them like gold, and making everyone comfortable," the HPPD said. "Even with so much happening around them, this veterinary team showed a great deal of kindness and care. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you." Wilkins is hopeful that Kira will make a full recovery, but retirement is on the table.  The HPPD has a fund that you are able to donate to. This provides care to dogs once they retire.  To donate to the retirement fund, you can take a check made out to HPCPAAA and note "K-9 retirement find" in the memo line.