Diesel's Toe Amputation

Dear friends, family, and fellow animal lovers,

I'm Alex, and many of you will know or know of my 10 year old border collie, Diesel.

Recently, Diesel underwent a necessary toe amputation surgery due to a tumour growing on his outermost toe. Apparently it wasn't possible to do a biopsy without taking the whole toe, and due to concerns it could be cancer, I went ahead with the surgery. This surgery came as the result of over 4 months with a severe limp, followed by x-rays and blood tests to try and find the problem!

As you can imagine, this was a difficult decision! However, the checks showed Diesel was in perfect health aside from this tumour and should still be with me for years to come if we can get through this recovery.

While the surgery was successful, the recovery process is proving to be challenging, both emotionally and financially. The initial x-rays were done in mid-March and set me back over $600. His first surgery (to remove the toe) followed two weeks later and was $2500. Diesel seemed to be recovering well, until we noticed the wound seemed to have split apart. Two weeks after the initial amputation, we were back at the vet for a revision surgery to close the wound again ($1400). This surgery showed that the awkward position of the wound causes tension across Diesel's paw, pulling on the stitches. He is now required to go to the vet every 2-3 days to have his wound cleaned and bandage changed. This is costing $250 per visit, with no end date yet. Diesel is a very anxious dog, all of these changes/procedures need to be done under sedation which makes it cost even more than it regularly would.

Diesel has not been allowed outside since his initial surgery in March and is extremely bored and depressed. He doesn't seem like his old self anymore at all. After yesterday's change, I was told he is getting pressure sores in between some of his remaining toes and skin irritation on his leg from the sticky bandage. His bones in that paw are becoming "loose" from not using the paw (this is how the vet explained it to me so I hope it makes sense). Diesel came home last night with a graze/cut under his eye, which I am unsure whether that came from a tool or something being stuck to his face during his time with the vet yesterday.

With this in mind, I am really wanting to get a second opinion from another clinic, as I worry about these new problems and how it is affecting his overall health. However, I just can't afford hundreds of dollars for another vet/sedation/bandage right now. I am hoping with your help I can get him seen by another veterinarian and see if there is anything we can do to speed up his recovery.

Diesel means the world to me, and I'm committed to doing whatever it takes to get him better! He is the first dog I have ever had and I got him when I was just a teenager in high school. He has gotten me through so many sad times and been by my side for the happy times... I could not imagine my life without him and it hurts to be struggling so much to afford his care.

I have been really hesitant to create a GoFundMe because I feel like their are so many more worth causes than this, but I am really struggling financially and don't want to see Diesel in more pain because I can't afford his ongoing care. I have already used all of my savings, along with maxing out both my Afterpay and a credit card. I just want Diesel to be able to live a pain-free and happy life for the remainder of his senior years.

Your donations will go towards paying for his future appointments for bandage changes, medication and a second opinion at our old vet! 

Thank you so so much for your support and generosity. A small amount goes a long way!

With love,

Alex & Diesel