Dodge's Medical Fund
Donation protected
Hello to All my fur baby Mom’s & Dad’s and to all of those who would like to help my baby boy, Dodge through this difficult time.
I am writing on Dodge’s behalf. As some of you might know, these past several months have been a roller coaster ride for my boy, Dodge and I. December 3rd, Dodge, went in for his first surgery where the vet removed 4 skin cancer tumors and then had his second surgery April 20th removing the final 9 that were small and just starting off. The vet was able to remove all the tumors and Dodge was such a trooper for both surgeries. He handled each recovery like a champ and still tries to climb in our vets lap. (I might add that he’s 138lbs of pure love…not exactly lap dog size to a lot of people).
However these past two and a half weeks have been more traumatic then either of us could have ever imagined…The day after Mother’s Day, Monday 5/9, Dodge’s back legs gave out while he was eating his dinner and he collapsed. He was then rushed to emergency where they took x-rays of his chest, abdomen, spine and rear legs. The x-rays showed me that his chest and abdomen were clear of any cancer, tumors, growths, free floating fluid, etc. The vet did however notice an area on his spine that they felt needed an MRI to get a full understanding of what exactly was going on that could have caused his rear end to suddenly become paralyzed.
Before taking that next step, the vet brought in a specialist for a second opinion to do a full neurological exam on Dodge and look over his x-rays. After the specialist reviewed Dodge and his x-rays, they too suggested to move forward with the MRI and gave me a short list of what they thought could be the cause of his immediate paralyzation in his rear end. 1) He through a blood clot. 2) Spinal tumor 3) Ruptured disc
The following day when Dodge and I went to get his MRI scans (an hour and 15 minutes away because their isn't a place that does MRI’s for animals near us), they had two veterinarian surgeons and a veterinary specialists look over his scans and determined that Dodge was in need of immediate surgery and that this is not something that would fix it’s self. Dodge went in for emergency surgery the following morning. He remained in the ICU the next 2 1/2 days after his surgery where then I was able to pick him up Friday. I was up with Dodge for 36 hours straight, his pain was astronomical and not being managed correctly. I had to bring Dodge back in to ICU because he was screaming he was in so much pain. Upon his return to ICU, he got himself so worked up that he spiked a 105 fever. The vet and I immediately got him cooling blackest, ice packs and sprayed alcohol on his paws (which I learned that night that alcohol helps bring down their temperature when sprayed onto their paw pads).
Come Monday evening, I was able to go pick Dodge up and bring him home again….FINALLY! He would get up every hour and half or so needing to be adjusted, given water, given medications or to have his bladder relieved. As part of his back injury, he was unable to empty his bladder at first.
While Dodge was in ICU, he was receiving IV fluids, medications every few hours, needing to be flipped ever 4 hours to the opposite side he was laying down on and a urinary catheter to help keep his bladder empty.
These two weeks Dodge has required my full 24-hour care, adaptive equipment (we just got his wheelchair in today so we will be test driving that out this evening), and other medical needs. He is even coming to work with me. (This all happened on my second day at my new job).
At this time, he is finally getting more of his appetite back and seems comfortable but is definitely getting anxious because he wants to get up and walk.
Needless to say, Dodge’s veterinary bills are already adding up and he still requires physical therapy and hands-on care. I am having to reteach him how to walk, gain his muscle strength back and muscle memory in how to use his rear legs again. Him weighing in at 138lbs when I am only 118lbs makes this al the more challenging than if he were a 20 terrier. However we have become pretty self sufficient in the past 2 days. We went from needing at least 2-3 additional people helping me get him in and out of my car and to his bed to just he and I being able to do it ourselves. Which meant no more getting to work at 6 am (instead of 8am) because that was the only time I could get another set of hands to help me.
Dodge and I have been faced with many obstacles in life, both good and bad. We have overcome all of them together and this obstacle is yet just another challenge that we will conquer together.
We are both so blessed to be surrounded by such an amazing group of family and friends to help root for us in this challenge! With out their loving support I don't know what Dodge and I would do! Thank you to everyone who has supported us so far and thank you for everyone who continues to support us throughout our journey!
For those of you who know me well, it is very difficult for me to ask for help, I have always been a hard working individual who has supported herself. In this case with expenses being so costly, I welcome and ask for any and all help . And if Dodge and I miraculously reach our goal of paying off all of Dodge’s medical bills and exceed our GoFundMe goal, all additional proceeds raised over that amount will be donated to other families who are going through the same thing Dodge and I are. Please support Dodge! You can also follow our journey on his Instagram account: dodgepodge_thegentlegiant https://www.instagram.com/dodgepodge_thegentlegiant/ #SupportDodge
I am writing on Dodge’s behalf. As some of you might know, these past several months have been a roller coaster ride for my boy, Dodge and I. December 3rd, Dodge, went in for his first surgery where the vet removed 4 skin cancer tumors and then had his second surgery April 20th removing the final 9 that were small and just starting off. The vet was able to remove all the tumors and Dodge was such a trooper for both surgeries. He handled each recovery like a champ and still tries to climb in our vets lap. (I might add that he’s 138lbs of pure love…not exactly lap dog size to a lot of people).
However these past two and a half weeks have been more traumatic then either of us could have ever imagined…The day after Mother’s Day, Monday 5/9, Dodge’s back legs gave out while he was eating his dinner and he collapsed. He was then rushed to emergency where they took x-rays of his chest, abdomen, spine and rear legs. The x-rays showed me that his chest and abdomen were clear of any cancer, tumors, growths, free floating fluid, etc. The vet did however notice an area on his spine that they felt needed an MRI to get a full understanding of what exactly was going on that could have caused his rear end to suddenly become paralyzed.
Before taking that next step, the vet brought in a specialist for a second opinion to do a full neurological exam on Dodge and look over his x-rays. After the specialist reviewed Dodge and his x-rays, they too suggested to move forward with the MRI and gave me a short list of what they thought could be the cause of his immediate paralyzation in his rear end. 1) He through a blood clot. 2) Spinal tumor 3) Ruptured disc
The following day when Dodge and I went to get his MRI scans (an hour and 15 minutes away because their isn't a place that does MRI’s for animals near us), they had two veterinarian surgeons and a veterinary specialists look over his scans and determined that Dodge was in need of immediate surgery and that this is not something that would fix it’s self. Dodge went in for emergency surgery the following morning. He remained in the ICU the next 2 1/2 days after his surgery where then I was able to pick him up Friday. I was up with Dodge for 36 hours straight, his pain was astronomical and not being managed correctly. I had to bring Dodge back in to ICU because he was screaming he was in so much pain. Upon his return to ICU, he got himself so worked up that he spiked a 105 fever. The vet and I immediately got him cooling blackest, ice packs and sprayed alcohol on his paws (which I learned that night that alcohol helps bring down their temperature when sprayed onto their paw pads).
Come Monday evening, I was able to go pick Dodge up and bring him home again….FINALLY! He would get up every hour and half or so needing to be adjusted, given water, given medications or to have his bladder relieved. As part of his back injury, he was unable to empty his bladder at first.
While Dodge was in ICU, he was receiving IV fluids, medications every few hours, needing to be flipped ever 4 hours to the opposite side he was laying down on and a urinary catheter to help keep his bladder empty.
These two weeks Dodge has required my full 24-hour care, adaptive equipment (we just got his wheelchair in today so we will be test driving that out this evening), and other medical needs. He is even coming to work with me. (This all happened on my second day at my new job).
At this time, he is finally getting more of his appetite back and seems comfortable but is definitely getting anxious because he wants to get up and walk.
Needless to say, Dodge’s veterinary bills are already adding up and he still requires physical therapy and hands-on care. I am having to reteach him how to walk, gain his muscle strength back and muscle memory in how to use his rear legs again. Him weighing in at 138lbs when I am only 118lbs makes this al the more challenging than if he were a 20 terrier. However we have become pretty self sufficient in the past 2 days. We went from needing at least 2-3 additional people helping me get him in and out of my car and to his bed to just he and I being able to do it ourselves. Which meant no more getting to work at 6 am (instead of 8am) because that was the only time I could get another set of hands to help me.
Dodge and I have been faced with many obstacles in life, both good and bad. We have overcome all of them together and this obstacle is yet just another challenge that we will conquer together.
We are both so blessed to be surrounded by such an amazing group of family and friends to help root for us in this challenge! With out their loving support I don't know what Dodge and I would do! Thank you to everyone who has supported us so far and thank you for everyone who continues to support us throughout our journey!
For those of you who know me well, it is very difficult for me to ask for help, I have always been a hard working individual who has supported herself. In this case with expenses being so costly, I welcome and ask for any and all help . And if Dodge and I miraculously reach our goal of paying off all of Dodge’s medical bills and exceed our GoFundMe goal, all additional proceeds raised over that amount will be donated to other families who are going through the same thing Dodge and I are. Please support Dodge! You can also follow our journey on his Instagram account: dodgepodge_thegentlegiant https://www.instagram.com/dodgepodge_thegentlegiant/ #SupportDodge
Organizer
Christy Mae Walker
Organizer
Scotts Valley, CA