
Benny Boy IVDD and MRI Road to Recovery
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Help Benz recovery journey with IVDD/Degenerative Disc Disease!MRI needed and a long financial road is ahead of us.
Hello friends, family, animal lovers and all,
It's Preller. I come to you today from a very vulnerable position for support for my beloved French Bulldog Benz. Never in a million years would I want to ask for anyone's help financially, but we are in a pretty rough place monetarily due to the SAG AFTRA/WGA strikes, and my partner and I have not worked since June 2023.
Like many others in the film industry, we have been struggling just to get by for the last six months without work. Just when we thought things couldn't get worse, this weekend our oldest dog Benz began trembling, panting heavily, shaking and crying out in pain to touch on his lower back. He was extremely scared and hurt and was rushed to the Emergency Vet at Saint Francis late Sunday night. After a series of expensive X-rays and tests, the vet explained that he was experiencing degeneration in the invertebral discs in his lower lumbar/sacrum spine. He was displaying signs of Invertebrate Disc Disease, which we have learned is pretty common for the French Bulldog breed.
It is a condition that if left untreated can cause immobility and paralysis. Essentially, the discs between vertebrae that absorb shock, become dry, brittle, and this eliminates their ability to absorb shock as they did before. This will then result in a disc herniation and compression of the spine. The worst part is that you don’t know a dog has IVDD until the disease becomes very apparent. The only way you would know is if you chose to perform an MRI on a seemingly healthy dog, but even then it can become apparent at almost any age – so there’s no way to foretell if this is going to happen to your dog. The vet stated that disease has always been there(genetic) and over time it has just been waiting to rear its ugly head.
She recommended that next we should see a Neurologist and get an MRI, as X-rays cannot diagnose IVDD, an MRI is the best way to see exactly what’s going on with the spine in detail. The MRI will give a clear picture of Benz’s spine and help identify whether or not there is any another underlying diseases. He will have to go under anesthesia, which is always scary, but Matt and I agreed that we needed the MRI so that we could move forward with confidence and answers. Needless to say, we are very shocked and so scared, we literally couldn’t wrap our heads around what all of that meant. I think my brain was just so overwhelmed and confused over what was happening that nothing made sense.
With help from our Primary Care Vet and support from friends/family we are continuing to be strong for our boy and trying to move forward in the best way we can. We have been fortunate enough to have the best friends/coworkers who have experienced similar prognosis with their pets as guides. They have been our lifeline, helping us begin to navigate this horrible disease. At the moment we are beginning with the conservative treatment method which is a combination of some expensive muscle relaxers, pain killers and steroids, as well as strict crate rest for the next six to eight weeks in order to not further any damage to the spine. But we have a long journey ahead of us.
How you can help:
Every IVDD case is different, it can occur in different areas of the back or neck, there are different grades of severity, and there is not a “one size fits all” treatment method.
Unfortunately we have only have pet insurance through our Primary Care Vet. The process begins with Diagnostics and Treatment through a Neurologist and the prices tags for this painful disease are very hefty.
What we do know from our medical team is that he will need an MRI($3000-$4000 dollars) at BUSH Neurology to correctly diagnose him and target images of the lower spine abnormalities to correctly come up with a long term treatment plan.
We are not sure yet if this will include surgery($8,000-$15,000). He will need supplements, medications and some really big lifestyle changes for the rest of his life. We will also need to provide him with alternative options like laser therapy, acupuncture, physical therapy and hydrotherapy to get him moving at a new normal. These cost $3,000 for an 8 week duration.
We are humbly asking for any assistance in raising the funds necessary for Benny's MRI, medications, supplements and beginning treatments to get him started on this long and grueling journey. We know it is a big ask, and I understand these dogs are a luxury breed. I never in a million years would have thought I'd have no income for half a year. These strikes have been a huge learning experience for us, and have changed us for the better. We are hoping to get back to work here shortly and to be able to afford our own treatments, but right now the situation is very grim financially.
In addition, we have three other dogs of the same breed that we will additionally need to implement household changes, ramps, supplements and lifestyle changes for. To say that we are overwhelmed is an understatement, and it pains me so greatly that our financial situation could lead to him not receiving the correct treatment.
Truthfully this was my very last resort, I am a person who seldom askes for help. My pride and resilience are put aside for him now. We are in a situation where we realistically cannot get through this alone. We are asking for support right now, however little or big, to help our boy. We will forever be grateful for any assistance.
-Please consider making a contribution to our GoFundMe campaign. Your donation will directly fund Benz's MRI and treatment, his rehab for the end of the year, and will help to begin to pave the way for a triumphant return to the stage of life.
-If you are unable to donate at this time, you can still help immensely by sharing Benz's story with your family and friends on all your social media networks. Your voice has a power to help us, I know it.
We will keep you all posted on his recovery and rehabilitation journey and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for any and all support family. Thank you also for your love and encouragement as we go through this.<3
Final Thoughts:
Benz has been my best friend, my purpose, my rock, and my fur child for 4.5 years. I have been such a wreck and haven't slept in days worrying about him. Hoping and having faith in God and the help of our friends in this time. Throughout the beginning stages of this struggle, Benz has been brave, strong, resilient, and eager to get better. We will continue to do the same. These dogs want to get well, and they typically can with our help!
Organizer

Grace Preller Chambers
Organizer
Decatur, GA