Hello,

My name is Elina. I am 22 years old and live in Seattle, Washington. Five months ago, my 13-year-old Chihuahua Mix Lola was diagnosed with an anal gland rupture. This was at a time when I was working 11-hour shifts four times a week. But I still took Lola into the vet a total of 17 times in the span of five months.

Since June, we have put her on countless rounds of antibiotics and painkillers. And In July, Jet City Animal Clinic in Seattle performed an infusion on the gland, in which the gland itself is infused with antibiotics. All of the efforts the vets and I have made have resulted in no progress. Lola’s right gland is still rupturing over and over and over. The repeated ruptures have developed a large amount of scar tissue in the area.

During our most recent vet visit a few days ago at Urban Animal in Capitol Hill, Dr. Sharpe noted a mass surrounding Lola’s gland. This mass is most likely a buildup of scar tissue from the repeated ruptures.

The solution is clear: remove the gland and the mass. The problem: due to Lola’s need for 24/7 care, I had to quit my job. Lola’s surgery costs around $9,000. I have already spent $3,000 on vet visits and antibiotics alone.

So I am pleading with the community of Seattle to help Lola. Without the surgery, Dr. Sharpe at Urban Animal noted that Lola will need to be put down. This is because Lola already has 2 gaping wounds in her anal gland area, and if there were to be a third, the wound would become too great for her to live comfortably.

It is important to note that although Lola is 13 years old, her health is otherwise completely intact. We go on 7-mile walks frequently and she has lots of energy, eats well, and is an extremely happy dog. She is also my baby. I see her as my child and have loved her for all 13 years of her life since, ever she was adopted from Seattle Humane Society in 2012.