Our Dog's (Sheila) Medical Expenses

Best Friends: Sheila & Bluestar.

Sheila is a 10 yr old Australian Red Heeler who has been a family member since she was 7 weeks old. She's a very sweet, loving, protective, playful & stubborn dog who often thinks she knows best. We love her as though she were our human child (we also have a 16 yr old human daughter).

A few months ago we noticed Sheila began to put on weight. Since she's an older dog the we all assumed (including her vet) that it was just middle age spread, typical in dogs her age. Unfortunately, after a freak injury during which she tore her rear right ACL tendon in her knee, the vet realized Sheila had a lot more going on in her abdomen than mere fat.

After a series of x-rays followed by an ultrasound he identified a huge mass that takes up the entire abdominal cavity. This is causing discomfort & labored breathing as the mass is pressing up toward Sheila's chest cavity. The ultrasound helped the vet to identify the mass as a spleen tumor that has totally absorbed her spleen so Sheila no longer has a functioning spleen.

So far costs are at around $500 (I"ll know exactly how much when I pick her up from the vet later today). The vet is now taking additional x-rays to determine whether  there are any nodules in Sheila's chest cavity. If he finds any that will mean that we're dealing with a malignant tumor and that the cancer has spread to her chest. The prognosis in that case is only 4 months & probably much less than that. However, if he doesn't see any nodules in her chest that will most likely indicate the growth is benign. The growth is self-contained so there aren't any tendrils wrapped around any of Sheila's internal organs so if surgery is possible it will be a matter of removing the growth, stopping any bleeding and then sew her back up. That is the best case scenario.

Currently, my husband's job is in jeopardy & we have been trying to save money in case he ends up being unemployed come November. This is the last thing we could expect, and really, these types of things never occur on our time-table. We want to do all we can for Sheila, but we also have to be reasonable about this. We don't have the money and with a daughter about to start college in less than 2 years we have to save as much money for college tuition as we can. I have instructed the vet to go ahead with the chest x-rays. That will determine if surgery is a real option or if we are to make Sheila as comfortable as possible until she dies.

Right now I have her fund set with a $800 goal because that's how much all the costs definitely are at this point. If Sheila doesn't have any nodules in her chest cavity so that surgery is a viable option, the vet has given me a $1900 estimate, plus she will also need specialized overnight care our vet's clinic is unable to provide. I will have to transport her to an emergency animal clinic who would keep an eye on her overnight to be sure she doesn't need a higher dose of pain medication or any fluids. Sheila will be equipped with IVs so they can give her fluids and medication easily. The emergency clinic will cost extra.

Best case scenario is the tumor is operable & there aren't any nodules in Sheila's chest. If that is the case we will go ahead with the operation and I will change the target amount on Sheila's fund to reflect the increased costs that surgery will entail.

This is my husband's dog. The cat is my cat. I incurred just over $1,000 in her care a year ago & never regretted the debt because I love my cat. My husband loves his dog & he is heartbroken that her illness occurred at a very bad financial time for us because he feels he should euthanize her rather than risk accruing so much debt. I want to avoid that and with your help we can succeed. My husband hasn't been sleeping or eating right due to all the stress in attempting to save his job and he is now working 16 hour days & I never see him except at bedtime and upon waking in the morning. This is the LAST thing he needed to be laid at his door. If you can find it in your heart to donate anything that you can afford to help with Sheila's medical costs my family and I would so deeply appreciate it. The LAST thing I want to have happen is for my husband to have the vet euthanize Sheila just because we don't have the money for her care & he doesn't want to add to our already existing debt. Sheila is a fabulous dog full of love and life. Bluestar is her best friend & my cat would be heartbroken if she lost Sheila. They pal around all day together & Bluestar is always trying to get Sheila to chase her, which she is all too happy to do - until she tore her ACL. Right now poor Sheila is hobbling around on 3 legs & if the tumor is operable, once that is taken care of the vet will be operating to repair Sheila's torn ACL at a later date.

You have our heartfelt appreciation & gratitude. I will keep the campaign updated with Sheila's progress.

God bless you all.

Sheila & Family