Charley's Liver Shunt Surgery

On October 24, 2020, we brought home a mini Schnauzer who was 8 weeks old.  My family has always had mini Schnauzer's and I was so excited to get one of my own.  We also have a year and a half old lab pointer mix with tons of energy and we wanted a friend for her to play with. 

Ten days after we got him, he was scheduled for a vet exam for vaccines but it ended up being a sick puppy visit because he was peeing blood.  It took 4 months of multiple vet visits and 2 visits to a specialist for him to be diagnosed with a liver shunt.  This means some of his blood vessels bypass his liver so some of his blood is being circulated through his body without being filtered in his liver.  It is treatable with surgery and without surgery he will eventually die of liver failure. 

We had a warranty that covered hereditary
issues for him but I was slow in getting a claim started because I was married on February 27 and there was lots of stressful things going on in my life personally.  I did file the claim in early April and it took them 5 weeks to get back to me only to tell me that I had to have filed the claim 2 days after my initial diagnosis and sent an update 2 days after ever subsequent vet/specialist appointment.   This week they told me I don't qualify because I waited too long to notify them but they will give me $1,000 towards his surgery. 

The surgery cost is between $5,500 and $6,500 because he will need to be kept over night either 2 or 3 nights depending on how he is doing.  There is a neurological issue that sometimes comes up during this type of surgery so they will watch him for awhile to make sure he is ok.  I have some money saved but not enough for this surgery, I was really expecting the claim to cover the cost.  He also needs to be neutered but the regular vet won't do it because of the risk of him having anesthetic because his blood isn't filtered properly.  The specialist can do his neuter at the same time as the shunt surgery to reduce the risk to him.  The surgery can be done at any time but the sooner it is done the less permanent neurological damage he will have.

I can't believe how much my wife and I and my daughter have fallen in love with Charley.  I have always had dogs growing up and he brings a lot of joy to me.  My wife didn't grow up with dogs but has completely fallen in love with Charley and he is her little baby.  He really helped her get through a rough personal issue she had earlier this year.  My older dog, Piper, loves him also and the few times he was at the specialist for part of the day, she was so lost and forlorn and looking for him then so happy when he came back.  Piper is my daughter's dog but my daughter has also fallen in love with Charley and none of us can imagine our family without both of our beautiful wonderful dogs.

Any donation will help, and there is no amount that is too small.  Any little bit will certainly be appreciated and will go a very long way to help with his surgery and  recovery!

We are so very grateful for your help. If you can’t donate at this time we understand but please share with anyone you can.