Hi, I'm Michelle, Gordo's Mom.

On the morning of Saturday, January 20th, 2024, Gordo woke up vomiting, lethargic, having difficulty breathing, and unable to keep water or food down. He was rushed to an emergency veterinary clinic, where he was immediately placed in an oxygen cage to help with his breathing. They performed X-rays, which showed that he had aspiration pneumonia. He needed to be hospitalized overnight under close observation with oxygen and IV fluids. We all know that emergencies with our furry ones can become very expensive, and this was no exception.

This additional vet bill took a high toll on my finances, but I didn't have another option than to give Gordo the care he needed. While Gordo was hospitalized, he was also diagnosed with Megaesophagus (ME). This is a condition that decreases mobility in the muscles of the esophagus, leading to the inability to push food down to the stomach, causing constant regurgitation, vomiting, vitamin and nutrient deficiency, weight loss, and a lifetime risk of aspiration pneumonia. Gordo had been suffering from sudden weight loss and regurgitation for over 12 months. We had visited several vets and undergone numerous tests and X-rays, but no one had been able to find a cause for the weight loss and regurgitation issue he had been dealing with, until now. This was a very frustrating feeling for me considering that this was the condition that caused him to collapse and get aspiration pneumonia.

With this new ME diagnosis, Gordo will finally be able to start getting the treatment he has been needing all along. Although ME doesn't have a permanent cure, there are things that can be done to control it. In the following weeks, Gordo will need additional X-rays and to work with an internal specialist to come up with a plan and determine medication to help him control his ME. This is a time-sensitive situation, and getting him the treatment he needs ASAP will prevent Gordo from getting aspiration pneumonia in the future and will allow him to get into a treatment plan that will improve his life moving forward. Needless to say, all of this will add some extra costs on top of the emergency vet bill, which is up to $2,500 so far. I am not one to ask for help with finances, but this time I am put in the hard position to do so.

Today I am reaching out to ask for your support in a challenging time. This GoFundMe is to help pay for Gordo's emergency vet bill and the upcoming tests, X-rays, and specialist costs that are to come, which will altogether come up to around $3,500.

Whoever has met Gordo knows that he is a very cheerful and happy dog. He loves to get scratches, play, and roll around. He is my baby and is loved by everyone. He has been with me for the past 5 years and has been by my side through the hardest moments of my life, along with the good times. He is everything to me, and I just want to see him get the treatment he needs and deserves to have a normal life. Gordo has gone through a lot of vet visits, stress, and uncertainty with his regurgitation problem, and this last week has been very hard on us with his aspiration pneumonia. Now he's going to have to adapt to life with his new ME diagnosis, which includes him needing to use a Bailey chair (high chair) for eating, and most likely having to take lifetime medications to prevent any future complications with his ME.

I will greatly appreciate any help you can give to help Gordo get the treatment he needs for him to have a long, happy and healthy life.

Thank you so much for your support & love for Gordo, it means the world to me!