Ruby's Surgery

Hi! My name is Ruby and I'm a rescue puppy who needs some extra love and support right now. I was recently held at the emergency vet for a few days after having a high fever and not being my usual cuddly self. Although the vets were able to get me stable and avoid any permanent damage from the seizures, they sent me home with some not-so-great news. My pancreas, spleen, and liver are all enlarged and my liver is significantly damaged with enzyme levels that are off the chart. I have what's called a Portosystemic Shunt. This means my blood isn't passing through my liver as it should be and is instead poisoning my body. This has caused a high level of ammonia in my brain which means I can't undergo anesthesia for any type of surgery to remove or repair my shunt. This complication makes my treatment that much more difficult and longer, putting me at higher risk for lasting damage/death. Right now my vet has given me a 3 step plan:

Step 1 - Medically restricted diet: I get a special food to help promote liver function and limit hard-to-process compounds so that my liver can repair itself in the hopes my enzyme levels reach normal ranges and lower the ammonia levels that have become stored in my brain, allowing me to undergo anesthesia for surgery.

Step 2 - Verify candidacy for surgery: Just because I need surgery to remove/close the shunt doesn't mean I'll qualify for it. I have to undergo additional tests and a CT scan to see if surgery is a viable option. If my liver is too small or the shunt is too large, surgery wouldn't be able to fix the problem. If that ends up being the case, I'll be moved to in-home hospice. This means I'll continue my medical diet and medication until I pass. The life expectancy without surgery is 18-24 months, meaning I wouldn't reach my 3rd birthday.

Step 3 - Surgery: Hopefully I'll qualify for surgery and will be able to undergo the procedure in March/April at Oregon State University. If successful, I would return to a normal diet without medications and have a full, long life getting cuddles and annoying my pet siblings.

Regardless of which route my treatment takes, it's going to be costly. This is where I need some extra help. All donations will cover treatment, medication, vet visits/stays, and prescription food. I know it's a lot to ask, but every little bit does help and will be greatly appreciated.