Everybody loves Lu

My name is Michele Staron, I have initiated this fundraiser for my daughter’s beloved fur baby and BFF Lu. Lu is a Shih Tzu, he was a gift to her after her first fur baby Chloe crossed rainbow bridge at 15 1/2 years old. Lu came home at 8 weeks old, and recently turned 4 years old in February. Lu has been in perfect health, and hands down is the perfect fur baby. Lu has many names; Lucifer, Bubba, Louie BIG mitts, Baba Lu, Luby Tuby, and the list goes on, but regardless of what people call him, EVERYBODY LOVES LU! I can’t even begin to describe these past 72 hours…talk about blindsided and gut wrenching. On Wednesday morning Lu attempted to get off the couch and bark at a passing dog. He began to cry and was incontinent of urine. Following the episode he appeared fine. The vet was notified and instructed to monitor him. Later that evening it occurred again however this time he had was standing on the floor. Thursday morning Lu went to the vet. There, he had another episode and a complete exam took place; blood, urine and fecal specimens were obtained and he was given fluids. Lu was sent home on antibiotics and an anti-inflammatory, for a possible UTI and/or stones. Later Thursday evening after 2 doses of Rxs, he was perky and headed back to being his happy self. Early this morning (Friday) bloodwork results revealed crystals in his urine. My daughter was instructed to continue prescribed meds and notify the vet if anything changed. Within hours of that call, Lu took a turn for the worse. He was crying in pain and unsteady on his hind legs. Lu was taken back to the vet and a series of x-rays revealed a spinal issue (L2-3). Since our vet is not specialized in this issue, they had instructed my daughter to contact a neurologist/neurosurgeon. Lu was given a inject of prednisone as well as oral prednisone. By time all was said and done at our local vet, Lu had lost all function of his hind legs. My daughter had reached out to a specialist and Lu will go for an MRI on Monday. She was told this will be undoubtedly be costly. I am reaching out to all pet lovers to help Lu regain the use of his legs. These past 4 years Lu has been an amazing companion to our daughter during some really awful times and we want nothing more than to rally around him when he needs all of us. I want to thank you in advance for any donation that is made. Updates on Lu’s progress will be posted as they become available.