Arlo’s life-saving surgery fund

Hi, my name’s Paul and I’m raising money to pay for urgent surgery and treatment for Arlo, a poorly rescue Setter from Italy.

Arlo needed major surgery to remove the left side of his lungs, due to a puncture wound he sustained pre-adoption. He was operated on for three and a half hours to save his life. The veterinary surgeon, at a couple of points, didn’t think he’d be able to save him.

Pre all of this, Arlo has needed extensive investigations to work out why he was so ill. His case and condition is highly unusual and has been hard to diagnose.

Arlo in the words of the English Setter rescue charity Settusfree ‘went through hell’ before being rescued from near Naples and coming to live with us in late June.

We didn’t know before he arrived, but Arlo was suffering from complex inflammation of his left lung which progressed to make him cough constantly and was causing him breathing difficulties.

To get well, and be able to breathe properly and enjoy his new life to the full, Arlo has needed x-rays, a bronchoscopy, a CT scan and other expensive tests to identify the reason for him being so unwell.

A CT scan found an abnormality - an unusual mass around his left lungs.

Arlo is a five-year-old Llewellin Setter - a working breed of Setter. He is a lovely little chap, with a chestnut brown coat with wonderful natural blond highlights and the kindest nature you could imagine. He’s a super little soul.

Five months of good food, love, care and attention is enabling Arlo to grow his coat back after losing a lot of it when he was starving and exhausted at the point rescuers found him and saved his life after whatever happened to him.

Arlo was found roaming in the countryside in southern Italy and was so scared it took two days for him to be rescued. He has a blocked tear duct due to eye infections and has also had to have six teeth removed since he travelled from a rescue kennel in northern Italy to start his new life with us in Dorset.

He’s had the very toughest of times, but hasn’t lost his faith in humans and is a kind, respectful and snuggly companion.

Arlo has high separation anxiety and is particularly close to his human sister Hannah who has developed an inseparable bond with him. Because he was ill from shortly after arriving in England, his medical insurers, ‘ethical’ Coop Pet Insurance, have refused to cover his urgently needed medical care.

We have spent around £4,500 getting appropriate veterinary dental care and early investigations for Arlo, and another £4,500 on a CT scan and further investigative work around his breathing difficulties.

His complex operation will cost in excess of £7,000.

Your kind donation will be added to funding from Settusfree and ourselves.

If you can help then thank you for contributing to Arlo’s second chance at enjoying his new life as a rescue dog to the full after everything he’s been through in his previous life.