Hi everyone,

Thank you so much for taking the time to read Athena’s story, and for any help you're able to provide.

Athena and her puppy were found running loose as strays, skin and bones and full of fleas. Thankfully, they were rescued and put up for adoption—and that’s when Athena came into my life. I discovered the day I was picking her up for adoption that the original owner had been notified they were caught and recently in shelter, but sadly the owner said she wanted nothing to do with Athena or her pup. She claimed the day prior to being caught they jumped her fence. Athena is not physically nor at that time capable of jumping a fence. She never once even looked at my fence as if to consider sizing up a leap over. Clearly, they were not cared for in many ways since it was a supposed recent escape from a yard. Since adopting her, I’ve worked hard to get her healthy and happy again. She now is in the loving home a pet could ever ask for and has a brother and sister that adore her. She's now at a good weight and has made so much progress, but I've had growing concerns about her mobility.

Athena is strong in her front end but very weak in the back. After walks or trips to the park, she struggles to get back up and often limps. A few times she doesn’t even want to stand up and will pull up her front end and drag her backside to reposition herself. At just two years old, this was heartbreaking to witness.

After a vet visit that included lab work and x-rays, the diagnosis was devastating: severe hip dysplasia in both hips, with the right side being significantly worse. The vet said her hips resemble those of a very old dog. Despite everything she’s been through already, she’s now facing a serious medical challenge.

Right now, Athena is on daily medication to manage her pain, but this is only a temporary solution. She urgently needs surgery: a full hip replacement on the right, and likely an FHO (femoral head ostectomy) on the left. At minimum, the right side needs to be addressed as soon as possible.

As suggested by her primary veterinarian, I've scheduled consultations at:

Orchard Park Animal Hospital (Aug 25): I’ve already paid for the consultation, but they will need to repeat the x-rays (cost to be discussed at the appointment), and the FHO surgery there which is estimated at $5,000–$7,000.

Cornell University Hospital for Animals (Sept 15): The consult and imaging will cost $600–$1,000. Surgery here is even more costly, with FHO ranging $6,000–$7,000, and a full hip replacement starting at $10,000.

I’ve almost maxed out my CareCredit due to the costs of checkups, consultation fees for OP, x-rays, bloodwork, and monthly medications. I do have pet insurance that will cover 70% of costs, up to $2,500—but this barely makes a dent.

I hate asking for help before the consultations are done, but both hospitals require at least 50% down to schedule surgery, with the remaining balance due the day of the procedure. I want to be financially prepared to act quickly so Athena doesn’t have to suffer any longer than necessary. I live alone with my pets with 1 income that is not by any means great but gets us by. This is just too big for me to handle alone.

I’m more than happy to share itemized vet bills, x-rays, and quotes from previous and upcoming consults.

Athena is such a sweet, loving girl, and she deserves a chance at a pain-free life. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to anyone who can help give her that chance.

With gratitude,

Kim