I am asking for help with Chloe's medical expenses. As many know, I was laid off on May 30th and am beginning the process of selling my house and moving in with family because I am out of options with the cost of living and my medical/health insurance expenses. I was already behind on my mortgage this year because of the latter (the deducible starting over and higher copays and increased medication costs) and as Murphy’s Law states, “anything that can go wrong will go wrong,” and it did. And continues to do so. As if losing a job and having to sell the home I love in a place I love isn’t stressing enough, Chloe has been ill since the day after I was laid off.

On May 31st, I took her to the animal hospital because she appeared to be in pain and her gait was abnormal. She was diagnosed with a gland infection and arthritis. She was given medications for both (antibiotics and anti-inflammatory). That vet visit was $625.72.

One June 19th, I had to take her to the emergency vet because she had scratched her ear to the point of bleeding all over during the night and when I walked her, she lost her balance twice. She was diagnosed with a severe ear infection in one ear, the start of one in the other, and an allergy flare. She was given medications for both (antibiotics and antihistamines). That vet visit was $314.71.

Today, June 23rd, she woke me at 3 am urgently wanting outside. She wanted out again at 6 am and about every 20 minutes after that. While outside I noticed that she was repeatedly squatting like she needed to urinate and when she was back inside, she was panting like she was in pain. The next time she went out I checked, and she had blood in her urine. So, back to the hospital we went.

Tests were run and there are a lot of red blood cells in her urine. The vet believes that it may be a UTI but is concerned because the antibiotics she was given on the 5/31 visit were broad spectrum and should have covered a UTI. She has been given an antibiotic that is more specific to UTIs for 10 days and suggested an ultrasound to see if something else is going on. The ultrasound is scheduled for Thursday the 26th. The vet visit today was $296.60 and the estimate for the ultrasound is $700.

Anyone that knows me (and my family) knows how independent I am and hate asking for help. I still have not received any unemployment benefits and am working with the state of Tennessee to get that resolved. In the meantime, my former employer is allowing me to do some work as a 1099 contractor until that is resolved and that helps but it is not what I was making before. So, I am putting pride aside and asking for help because Chloe is my baby. My heart dog. The one that has been by my side for 13 surgeries in the last 9 ½ years and multiple diagnoses related to chronic pain. I don’t have the funds for the ultrasound but cannot let her go unchecked. As of now, even though things are very tight financially, I am only asking for help with the ultrasound. Hopefully that will come back clear, the new antibiotics will take care of things, and she will be back to her happy sassy self.

I can provide copies of receipts for the vet visits so far and a copy of the estimate for the ultrasound for anyone that needs proof.

*****

Edit: I am blown away! In less than an hour, the amazing people in my life have covered the cost of the ultrasound between this GFM and direct donation to me. For transparency, I’m leaving this open to create a vet fund for her future appointment. All monies donated will be used for Chloe’s medical care. THANK YOU!!!