This is our little dog, Bella; she is a 12-year-old chihuahua who should have at least another 5 good years ahead of her. Sadly, we received the devastating news that Bella has been diagnosed with a meningioma, a progressive tumor of the brain which needs treatment to save her life.

 

Earlier this year, Bella rapidly went blind. We were told she is getting older and likely SARDS - sudden acquired retinal degeneration syndrome - was to blame. It was irreversible, we were told. We were quite saddened but we all adjusted. Bella had to learn the layout of the house. We set up safety gates and taught her phrases like “left” and “right” for guidance when walking. There were some hiccups along the way, though, including a fracture of her paw, which on imaging revealed a small lesion. This resulted in more imaging and lab work to rule out metastasis. All was normal and we were told arthritis was likely.

 

But then she had a seizure. She was rushed to Massachusetts Veterinary Referral Hospital, where she was seen by neuro and recommended for a MRI. They told us paired with her blindness from earlier in the year, there was concern for a tumor. So she went home with emergency Valium and we scheduled the test as soon as possible.

 

Bella had her MRI on 10/27/2021. Imaging revealed a large, broad based, extra-parenchymal mass located ventral to the brain from the frontal lobes to the cranial mesencephalon. The mass is compressing her optic nerves, explaining the blindness. Based on the location of the mass, we are told surgery is not a viable option.

 

 

Bella has been placed on prednisone to reduce brain edema, but her best chance at survival is to receive radiation treatment from Angell Animal Medical Center in Boston to reduce the overall size of the mass. This treatment is estimated to cost $9,000 - $11,000, and without, Bella will likely die within months as her seizures continue. Radiation treatment will provide Bella with another 1 to 2 years or longer of quality life. There is even a chance her vision will return.

 

In the short time since Bella’s diagnosis, she has already been hospitalized for breakthrough cluster seizures. She is now on Keppra, with Clorazepate when needed to control cluster seizures at home, but it will take months before the anti epileptic medication fully stabilizes her.  As we await Bella’s radiation oncology consult, we have already spent nearly $7,000 on her medical bills, and they are only getting larger.

 

Bella is a treasured and loved member of our family, and we will do everything to ensure she has several more years of happiness. She may be 12 years old but prior to this medical crisis, she was still full of spunky, puppy energy. We can’t imagine our home without her and just want to see her happy again. So does the rest of our pet family, including her partner in crime, fellow chihuahua Nikki who has been inseparable with her since day one. If you are able to help us to raise the much needed funds to save our Bella’s life, we would be forever grateful.