Billy Dee's New Year Wish
Donation protected
This cute, loving, dog is named Billy Dee Williams and he is dreaming of more than a white Christmas, he’s hoping for a small miracle and support from our friends, family and people that care about pets. Billy Dee is a 13 year old Yorkie/Poodle mix, aka YorkiePoo, and I love him so much. He is suffering from a condition which results in a tracheal collapse. This condition is common to Yorkshire Terriers and Poodles so Billy Dee is getting the worst of it.
The trachea, also known as the windpipe, stretches from a dog's neck to their chest and brings air into their lungs. The trachea is made up of cartilage rings, which can become weak over time, causing varying degrees of windpipe obstruction and severe coughing. Mildly affected dogs will not experience life-threatening episodes. But, severely afflicted dogs, such as Billy Dee, may have long bouts of coughing, which can lead to respiratory distress and possibly even death because uncontrolled bouts of coughing often cause edema and swelling within the trachea.
Billy Dee has been the most loyal friend and companion you could ever ask for! He loves long walks, hikes and people. Five years ago, I decided to work from home to allow me to spend more time with Billy Dee and it's been the best years of my life.
But, a few years ago, I noticed he started coughing. It started as a light cough and gradually grew worse. I tried my best to diagnose the illness and get treatment for it. I got chest x-rays, used to determine whether the collapse is located in the throat (cervical) portion of the trachea or within the chest (intra-thoracic) area of the windpipe. Billy Dee also got a Fluoroscopy and a Bronchoscopy. Our Veterinarian determined his collapse was within the chest (intra-thoracic). This type of collapse is low down on the esophagus. The recommended treatment involves surgery to put stents in the trachea. Depending on how many stents he needs, the cost ranges from $5,000 up to $7,000.
Why does it cost so much? Apart from the cost of the specialist surgeon needed, the stents themselves are $1,000 each and the number of stents needed depends on how much of the trachea has collapsed. There’s also the additional cost of post-surgery medications and care. There are no guarantees, of course, but the specialist believes Billy Dee can have a full or close to a full recovery with surgery, which he needs to happen soon before his condition deteriorates further. I would like to get his surgery done as soon as possible, the day after we reach our goal.
Now comes the hard part. The very hard part. I need to raise atleast $5,000 to cover the cost of his surgery and stents and post care medications. Anything raised above and beyond this will go towards Billy Dee’s post surgery care. Billy Dee has been by my side through thick and thin, and now I have to be there for him and find a way to help him.
I hope everyone understands that, while I don't want to base my decision about his fate on money, the fact is, I don't have the financial resources to cover his expenses right now and it breaks my heart. I'm trying my best. I lost my job recently and I’ve been struggling to make extra money to cover his expenses. So, Billy Dee’s need for immediate treatment could not have occurred at a more worse time. People have different opinions on what to do, how much to spend and what measures to take to help your pet or save an animal in need. I respect all of those opinion’s but I love him too much, and I would hope that my loved one’s would try everything possible to help me overcome a medical emergency because every life is valuable.
I am asking for your help during a very busy and expensive time of the year. No donation is too small. They all add up and can save Billy Dee’s life. Can the magical spirit of the holiday season lead to a Christmas miracle for Billy Dee? I hope so! Please, if you can, donate immediately and also help Billy Dee by sharing his story and GoFundMe page. We would be very grateful to you and appreciate your support.
Happy holidays to you and yours, and while you're celebrating the season with your own beloved pets, please keep Billy Dee in your thoughts. Thank you!
The trachea, also known as the windpipe, stretches from a dog's neck to their chest and brings air into their lungs. The trachea is made up of cartilage rings, which can become weak over time, causing varying degrees of windpipe obstruction and severe coughing. Mildly affected dogs will not experience life-threatening episodes. But, severely afflicted dogs, such as Billy Dee, may have long bouts of coughing, which can lead to respiratory distress and possibly even death because uncontrolled bouts of coughing often cause edema and swelling within the trachea.
Billy Dee has been the most loyal friend and companion you could ever ask for! He loves long walks, hikes and people. Five years ago, I decided to work from home to allow me to spend more time with Billy Dee and it's been the best years of my life.
But, a few years ago, I noticed he started coughing. It started as a light cough and gradually grew worse. I tried my best to diagnose the illness and get treatment for it. I got chest x-rays, used to determine whether the collapse is located in the throat (cervical) portion of the trachea or within the chest (intra-thoracic) area of the windpipe. Billy Dee also got a Fluoroscopy and a Bronchoscopy. Our Veterinarian determined his collapse was within the chest (intra-thoracic). This type of collapse is low down on the esophagus. The recommended treatment involves surgery to put stents in the trachea. Depending on how many stents he needs, the cost ranges from $5,000 up to $7,000.
Why does it cost so much? Apart from the cost of the specialist surgeon needed, the stents themselves are $1,000 each and the number of stents needed depends on how much of the trachea has collapsed. There’s also the additional cost of post-surgery medications and care. There are no guarantees, of course, but the specialist believes Billy Dee can have a full or close to a full recovery with surgery, which he needs to happen soon before his condition deteriorates further. I would like to get his surgery done as soon as possible, the day after we reach our goal.
Now comes the hard part. The very hard part. I need to raise atleast $5,000 to cover the cost of his surgery and stents and post care medications. Anything raised above and beyond this will go towards Billy Dee’s post surgery care. Billy Dee has been by my side through thick and thin, and now I have to be there for him and find a way to help him.
I hope everyone understands that, while I don't want to base my decision about his fate on money, the fact is, I don't have the financial resources to cover his expenses right now and it breaks my heart. I'm trying my best. I lost my job recently and I’ve been struggling to make extra money to cover his expenses. So, Billy Dee’s need for immediate treatment could not have occurred at a more worse time. People have different opinions on what to do, how much to spend and what measures to take to help your pet or save an animal in need. I respect all of those opinion’s but I love him too much, and I would hope that my loved one’s would try everything possible to help me overcome a medical emergency because every life is valuable.
I am asking for your help during a very busy and expensive time of the year. No donation is too small. They all add up and can save Billy Dee’s life. Can the magical spirit of the holiday season lead to a Christmas miracle for Billy Dee? I hope so! Please, if you can, donate immediately and also help Billy Dee by sharing his story and GoFundMe page. We would be very grateful to you and appreciate your support.
Happy holidays to you and yours, and while you're celebrating the season with your own beloved pets, please keep Billy Dee in your thoughts. Thank you!
Organizer
Chad Williams
Organizer
Los Angeles, CA
