Gizmos veterinary treatment.

Hi, my name is Claire and setting this fundraiser up is something I’d hoped I’d never have to do. My brave little Shih Tzu boy has endured so many health problems over the years and he’s just had 2 emergencies within a week. He keeps fighting to come back to me, so I’ll keep fighting for him.

He came to me at 2 years old, when I was dealing with my own severe, chronic health issues. I have M.E and back then also had Cushing’s disease which I very nearly didn’t survive. He was with me through it all. He is quite literally my baby, my soul dog and the bravest boy I’ve ever known.

Despite all his health issues, his strength and will are like nothing I’ve ever known. For the most part, he’s like a puppy, bouncy, playing with his toys and having lunch out in the café. Everyone adores him and cannot believe he is 14. He’s remarkable and my inspiration.

He had bloat 3 years ago which became GDV, where the stomach twists and cuts off the blood supply. He was in a poor state and the vet gave him only a 10% chance of survival. It was quite possibly the worst day of my life. The general advice was to let him go now. I am very in tune with my boy however and knew he wanted to live and boy was I right. He amazed everyone and made a long but full recovery. He has been the happiest boy ever since.

Unfortunately, this passed week the same thing happened again. Days prior to this, he woke up with an eye ulcer, so was immediately seen by a vet. He is also under the eye clinic as he’d had one in the other eye a few years back, which we managed to control and heal. This time his eye started to deteriorate and he was started on treatment and had a morphine injection. The morphine wiped him out and when he came around hours later, he was so thirsty and took in a lot of water quickly. Shortly after his tummy started to swell. He was also wretching, which is also a sign of bloat and a medical emergency. We had to get to the vet ASAP. By the time he was x-rayed, his stomach had started to twist again and they had to operate immediately to save his life for a second time.

He has been recovering so well yet again from the major surgery, but his eye deteriorated. The ulcer was now deep and his cornea was melting, quite possibly because his immune system was so low.

He was utterly exhausted already, but had to be admitted overnight in hospital for intensive eye drops every 2 hours.

They managed to stabilise his eye and stop the melting and came home the following day and we are currently managing it at home. However it is still very vulnerable to rupture which means he’s at risk of losing his eye and going through another awful ordeal, so we are having to stay very vigilant with his treatment and very regular check ups. The eye clinic have kindly been advising on a daily basis to try to avoid surgery.

Unfortunately, Gizmos insurance only covers up to £2000 per condition per year and this time it has well exceeded that, as the GDV op came to £6000. I have borrowed the initial £2000 on top of his insurance allowance, which needs to be paid back and there is a short term payment plan, but I still have to raise the funds to pay it. In addition, he may yet require eye surgery (we hope not) but this would be in excess of £3000. Each excess is also £169 per condition and we have to pay 15% copayment due to his age.

I am doing all I can to raise funds, including selling art and anything else I may have of any value. But we are going to need a substantial amount rather quickly. My mother has already used all her savings to try to help. I am somewhat restricted as to what I can borrow given that I have been unable to work since 2012 due to the nature of my illness which can be highly unpredictable and pretty severe.

You have to know that this boy is so special. He’s unofficially my therapy dog and the sweetest boy you could ever wish to meet.

Anything you could donate to help us on our way would be so very appreciated and I’d hope I could do something to return the favour some day.

Thank you for taking the time to read,

love Gizmo, Claire and Lyn.