Gremlin the Chihuahua Needs Your Help

Around Christmas, we started noticing that Gremlin seemed dizzy, disoriented, and was spinning to the right. We immediately took him to the vet who observed him and thought he seemed normal. Michael and I knew by the next day that he was not normal, and insisted the vet look at him again. Finally, on New Year's Eve, we were referred to a Neurology Specialist who examined Grem.

The specialist believes, based on Gremlin's symptoms and what they call proprioceptive deficits (not feeling his limbs and paws normally), that Gremlin has a forebrain issue on his right side.

The vet cannot tell whether Gremlin suffered a stroke or has a brain tumor without an MRI. We were initially quoted $3,500 for an MRI (and then another $7-10,000 for cancer treatment). These numbers are far beyond our reach.

After some research, I learned that the University of Georgia Veterinary Clinic can provide Gremlin with an MRI, spinal tap, and all accompanying blood work for $1,800-$2,500.

Michael and I decided to start this campaign at the encouragement of our friends and family. With me still being in law school and some extreme and unexpected vet bills for our other dog, Dino, this fall-- we are on thin ice financially.

We obviously think Gremlin is special, and we have a feeling that if you've had the chance to interact with (or stalk on Instagram/Facebook) our little guy, then you might think he is special, too. He is only 6 years old, so all of this is coming as quite a devastating shock as we were looking forward to many more years and memories with our pup. He is our first dog, and has meant so incredibly much to our tiny family.

Our main goal is to keep Gremlin out of pain and continue giving him the happiest life we can. When we adopted Gremlin, he had been rescued from a hoarding situation which landed him in a high kill shelter. After being taken in by a small rescue, he suffered an infection in his right eye and it needed to be removed. Despite everything, Gremlin is a bright, hilarious, spunky little soul. He loves children, rolling in grass, eating Michael's yogurt, and howling at strangers (while wagging his opossum tail, of course!).

This fundraiser will not enable us to pay for further cancer treatment for Gremlin, but it will give us the ability to know much more about his condition. Knowing what exactly is wrong with his brain, where the stroke or tumor is, the size of the stroke or tumor, etc. is all crucial to us understanding how much time we have left with our boy, and what symptoms we should expect for him. Strokes and tumors are very different beasts, and there may be more affordable treatment options that we can manage for him. We just can’t and won’t know without this MRI. 

He is our favorite little thing, and we are so grateful that you took the time to read all of this and consider a donation. Any amount will help.

Thank you,
Gremmy, Olivia, Michael, and Dino.