In September of 2023, my husband and I got our puppy, Strider, and immediately fell in love. When we talked with the breeder, she mentioned his left eye was bad, but that it was probably a scratch and if we gave him antibiotics twice a day, it might heal. After about a month, our vet informed us that it was never a scratch and we would have to monitor it for the rest of his life.

In November of last year, at Strider’s one-year appointment, the vet told us his eye was getting bigger and it was time to get it checked. We took him to an ophthalmologist, and they told us what we already knew but didn’t want to hear: that Strider’s eye would have to be removed. They also informed us then that there is no way to diagnose him until they can take a look at the removed eye. I was 6 months pregnant at the time, and we couldn’t afford to have it removed immediately, so the ophthalmologist told us we could wait as long as it wasn’t causing him any pain.

Two weeks ago, we started to notice signs that Strider’s eye was starting to bother him. The ophthalmologist said the pressure behind the eye has increased since December, but they still don’t know the source or if it could potentially spread. We have started him on pain medication, but we were quoted about $3,000 for the removal. We don’t want Strider to be in pain any longer than he needs to be.

Any amount helps!