Diamond the Border Collie Needs Your Help
Donation protected
THE BACK STORY
Three years ago, my daughter Jennifer rescued a sweet border collie named Diamond from a terrible, neglectful situation at the urging of my granddaughter.
We were surprised at her request, as my granddaughter has autism and was terrified of animals, particularly dogs, for as long as we could remember. It seems Sarah Maclachlan and the ASPCA touched my granddaughter's heart.
Diamond is a gentle soul with a sweet disposition who has helped my granddaughter overcome her fear of critters (with the exception of lizards) and manage her anxiety which is a symptom of her autism.
Early this summer, Diamond's skin broke out in lesions mostly on her face, head, ears and foot pads. She was miserable, scratching at the lesions constantly. Diamond has lost a chunk out of her right ear from one of these lesions.
Initially, Diamond was treated with allergy medications and antibiotics which were unsuccessful in treating her symptoms. After numerous vet visits, skin cultures and biopsies, she was diagnosed with Pemphigus Foliaceus.
Her vet is recommending Atopica at this stage. We are very hopeful that Atopica will help Diamond. One of her siblings was successfully treated with one round of Atopica to get his autoimmune disease into remission and he no longer requires medication. However, Atopica is very expensive.
THE COSTS
So far, my daughter has paid $1,600 towards Diamond's vet visits, medications, and diagnostic biopsies for her skin condition. The vet has given an estimate of $300 a month for the Atopica prescription. We are estimating a total $2,500 to get Diamond through one round of Atopica, which would include the medication, vet visits and tests.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Any contribution, big or small for Diamond's medication and vet bills would be appreciated more than you could possibly know.
Please consider sharing Diamond's story to help this sweet girl.
Thank you so much for reading.
What is Pemphigus Foliaceus (PF)?
PF is an autoimmune skin disease which results when the immune system functions abnormally, targeting normal cells and structures of the body. While rare, it is reportedly the most common autoimmune skin disease in dogs.
High doses of steroids are required initially to control the disease. In most cases, the doses of steroids are then reduced carefully down to a level that controls the disease but minimizes long term side effects. In some cases, after remission, steroids can be discontinued. In other cases, other drugs like Atopica have to be used or added to steroids in order to achieve control of the disease.
Three years ago, my daughter Jennifer rescued a sweet border collie named Diamond from a terrible, neglectful situation at the urging of my granddaughter.
We were surprised at her request, as my granddaughter has autism and was terrified of animals, particularly dogs, for as long as we could remember. It seems Sarah Maclachlan and the ASPCA touched my granddaughter's heart.
Diamond is a gentle soul with a sweet disposition who has helped my granddaughter overcome her fear of critters (with the exception of lizards) and manage her anxiety which is a symptom of her autism.
Early this summer, Diamond's skin broke out in lesions mostly on her face, head, ears and foot pads. She was miserable, scratching at the lesions constantly. Diamond has lost a chunk out of her right ear from one of these lesions.
Initially, Diamond was treated with allergy medications and antibiotics which were unsuccessful in treating her symptoms. After numerous vet visits, skin cultures and biopsies, she was diagnosed with Pemphigus Foliaceus.
Her vet is recommending Atopica at this stage. We are very hopeful that Atopica will help Diamond. One of her siblings was successfully treated with one round of Atopica to get his autoimmune disease into remission and he no longer requires medication. However, Atopica is very expensive.
THE COSTS
So far, my daughter has paid $1,600 towards Diamond's vet visits, medications, and diagnostic biopsies for her skin condition. The vet has given an estimate of $300 a month for the Atopica prescription. We are estimating a total $2,500 to get Diamond through one round of Atopica, which would include the medication, vet visits and tests.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Any contribution, big or small for Diamond's medication and vet bills would be appreciated more than you could possibly know.
Please consider sharing Diamond's story to help this sweet girl.
Thank you so much for reading.
What is Pemphigus Foliaceus (PF)?
PF is an autoimmune skin disease which results when the immune system functions abnormally, targeting normal cells and structures of the body. While rare, it is reportedly the most common autoimmune skin disease in dogs.
High doses of steroids are required initially to control the disease. In most cases, the doses of steroids are then reduced carefully down to a level that controls the disease but minimizes long term side effects. In some cases, after remission, steroids can be discontinued. In other cases, other drugs like Atopica have to be used or added to steroids in order to achieve control of the disease.
Organizer and beneficiary
Judy Pierce
Organizer
Hammond, LA
Jennifer Pierce
Beneficiary
