Gus Gus neck surgery fundraiser

My sweet 15 month old Great Dane needs to have a serious neck surgery to save his life. Earlier this month Gus was diagnosed with Wobblers Syndrome – a serious, progressive disease of the neck (the cervical spine) that is seen in large and giant breeds of dog. These dogs experience compression of the spinal cord and the spinal nerve roots, resulting in nervous system deficits and pain.

 

I adopted Gus Gus on Valentine’s Day last year from the wonderful and amazing One Dane At A Time, after his heavily pregnant mom was dumped at the rescue. I love this little man so very, very much, and it breaks my heart that he’s one of the 4% of great danes to struggle with this condition. No-one knows why some dogs get it and not others.

 

He was always slower and mellower than most puppies. And a little clumsier and didn’t have the best posture. But in the past few months that progressed to muscle spasms, falling over and especially struggling on tile flooring. I trusted my instincts and took him to a neurologist and they agreed with my suspicions. We did an MRI and the results confirmed the diagnosis.

 

Gussy Bear may never be the fastest or the most agile of dogs. But if he has the surgery there’s an 85% chance he’ll lead a full and happy life. He’s young, otherwise healthy and strong, and I need to give him the best chance of living his best life.

 

In all other ways he is the best guy I’ve ever met. He’s the sweetest and most gentle boy. The kind of dog that licks the tears from my face. That sleeps with his head on my pillow. That listens and loves and we are so deeply bonded it breaks my heart into a million pieces when I see him struggle to hold his head up. Today he cried for the first time and after the two years we’ve all just had, I can’t imagine losing him. I just can’t.

 

The surgery is serious - he needs a dorsal laminectomy. This is a procedure to expand the narrowed vertebral canal and reduce cord compression of the lumbar spine. He also has a ganglion cyst pressing on his spinal cord in his neck, which happens in about 20% of Wobblers cases, which will need to be removed. Then he stays in hospital for 5-7 days, receiving round the clock care, rehab, and pain management.

 

Gus Gus has pet insurance, from the day after I brought him home. Wobblers is a condition that is excluded in his, and most insurance policies. So, I have to ask for help.

 

It pains me to do so, but friends have helped me reframe this – to see that Gus and I are so loved, and that we do not have to put it all on a credit card and pay it off for years to come. That those that love us will want to help lessen this burden. Help me to worry less about the money, and more about Gus Gus.

 

It’s so important to me, however, that no-one gives beyond their means. Whether you are able or willing to give $5 or $50, or whatever makes sense to you – it’s important to me that it’s not going to go on YOUR credit card rather than mine, if that makes sense? But if anyone is willing to skip a dinner out, or a cup of coffee, to add a contribution, then we will happily accept that kindness.

 

Gus’ health and well-being is far more important than my pride - that’s the bottom line. Lots of small donations will add up to make an immense difference – this I know. I appreciate you taking the time to read this, and if you can’t donate at this time, please share – as someone else reading it might be able to donate – so thank you, thank you, thank you. From the bottom of my heart....

 

Baby pics of Gussy

 

 

 

 

Growing up...

 

 

First birthday...

 

 

 

 

 

for transparency here are the bills...

 

the two biggest bills so far (there are 5 others, totaling a grand between them, including at the rehabilitation place where I took Maisy last year, where they agreed surgery was the best option) ....

 

 

 

the estimate from the vca - where they estimate it will cost between $11,864 - $16,016. Followed by the 2nd opinion estimate (where i will do the surgery) - where they estimate it will cost between $9,999 - $12,742.