Give Kona a Chance at a Healthy Life

Hello everyone. My name is Monica, and my husband, Joe, and I live just north of Orlando, Florida, in the town of Sorrento. Being unable to have children, we have devoted ourselves to our rescue dogs.

We adopted Kona in March 2019 when he was 1 year old to be a companion to our first rescue, Chance. Over the years, we discovered that Kona suffers from anxiety and pancreatitis flare-ups and has been on prescription medications for most of his life. Recently, he had another flare-up, so we took him in to get treatment and additional lab work done. The results showed that he was losing protein in his urine, and an ultrasound was needed to see if anything was going on with his kidneys that could be causing this. We were shocked when the doctor told us that Kona still has one testicle in his abdomen. This is a condition called Cryptorchidism (Retained Testicles), when one or both testicles fail to drop into the scrotum. So, when he was neutered, they only removed one. The doctor said it is crucial to have surgery as soon as possible to prevent testicular cancer, if it hasn't already formed into a tumor. They also found a nodule on his spleen and some calcification forming on his kidneys, both which may or may not be related. We won't know until after the surgery and additional post-op tests are done.

This news is coming just one year after Chance passed away. He was in our lives for 14 wonderful years. Other than recovering from heartworms from the time I adopted him, he was a perfectly healthy boy, the complete opposite of Kona, until we found out in May 2023 that a large tumor had formed in his nasal cavity. Since it was underneath the bony structure, and he didn't show any signs other than the occasional sneeze, we had no idea this silent killer was there. It wasn't until after we had a CT scan that we learned the tumor spanned the entire left nasal cavity. Three months later, he sneezed and ruptured the tumor. We had to take him to an emergency clinic an hour away on a Sunday to end his suffering. He crossed the rainbow bridge with Joe and I by his side, and it felt like my heart was being torn from my chest. We had hoped he'd make it through at least one more Christmas, but God was calling him home. The combined cost for those four months was $5,800.

Now, here we are one year later during the holiday season, and we may have another completely unexpected cancer. Kona is only 6, so we want to do everything we can for him. Unfortunately, we are still paying on Chance's vet bills from last year. Kona's ultrasound was $875, and we were quoted an estimate of $3,500 - $4,800 for just the surgery alone plus whatever costs are to come from his post-op biopsies, tests and treatment. Joe was also diagnosed with multiple rotator cuff tears in his shoulder and may need surgery this upcoming year, and I have multiple herniated discs along with scoliosis that I have been undergoing treatment for. My most recent treatment cost was $2,800.

These past two years have been extremely tough financially with Joe and I both going through job changes as well. I normally am not the type to ask for help, but I'm not sure how we can afford these unexpected medical costs unless I bite the bullet and ask. I promise that every cent will go toward Kona's recovery. He's still young and has so much love to give and deserves a fighting chance.

We appreciate anything that you can spare. No amount is too small.

Eternally grateful,

Monica, Joe & Kona