I'm here on behalf of my sweet 4-legged companion, Mushka, a 4-1/2 year old male German Shepherd dog. Aside from hay fever and a flea bite allergy, Mushka has been a very healthy, happy, and active dog who keeps me safe at home and when we go hiking. I'd noticed he was pawing a little at his left eye from 6/20 - 6/21, but figured it was itching from hay fever. Antihistamines and aspirin helped. On the morning of 6/22/16, though, I noted that the sclera of his left eye was very red, there was some kind of discharge, and his eye appeared swollen. As the day passed he began wincing and groaning in obvious pain. I was able to get him in to see his vet, Dr. Nawar at Green Valley Veterinary Clinic in Yucaipa, CA, that afternoon. His diagnosis was a possible foreign object (most likely a foxtail) stuck in the 3rd eyelid. He gave Mushka a steroid injection and prescribed steroid/anti-infective eye drops to bring down the inflammation and swelling. That helped at first, but over this past weekend, his eye worsened. I was going to bring him back to the vet this morning (6/28) for the vet to sedate him in order to check the 3rd eyelid and remove any foreign object, but can't afford the bill.

I'm disabled and live on a fixed income. I get by on my own, but just barely. As of 6/28/16, I have $10 to last till July 1st. There's just nothing in my budget for more than one emergency per month, and most times not enough for that. The vet's office won't accommodate time payments. I applied to Actors and Others For Animals for emergency financial assitance but have received no response. I'm worried Mushka will suffer permanent damage to that eye if I don't bring him in to the vet soon. So, I'm turning to GoFundMe to raise the money needed for Mushka's treatment. If there is no foreign object in his eye or eyelid, more (expensive) testing will be required to diagnose and treat him.

It's embarassing to have to ask for help, but it's far worse to watch him suffer, look to me for help, and be unable to bring him for treatment. THANK YOU for your time and attention, and please share this with others who may be in the position to help my Mushka.