Help Bruce Get an MRI and Surgery

Hello family and friends -

If you know Kyle + I then you know how much our pup, Bruce, means to us.  Bruce has ALWAYS been there for us, and now we want to be there for him.

 

 

Bruce's story:

 

Beginning in 2018, Bruce began a history of focal seizures and we have carefully monitored them per his primary doctor’s recommendation since. 

Last year, in February of 2021, Bruce contorted his neck toward the right, vocalized in pain while eating his breakfast, and temporarily lost the use of his back legs. This, of course, was a heartbreaking and scary development — we rushed him to the ER Vet (based on the recommendation from his primary veterinarian) where they physically examined him, performed blood work, thoracic radiographs, abdominal ultrasound, an echocardiogram, and put a heart monitor on him for 24 hours. $6000 later, the doctors were unable to find a cause; Bruce was prescribed Gabapentin, an anti-convulsant and pain reliever, and Rimadyl to reduce pain and inflammation. We brought him home and gave him lots of love, belly scratches, and nursed him back to health while keeping a close eye on his seizures ever since. 

 

 

Fast forward to January 8th, 2022, Bruce experienced his first grand mal seizure =(. He woke up from a nap, and as he was stretching, the seizure began. It lasted about 10 - 20 seconds. He looked so confused, scared, and tired, far from the bright-eyed, happy, and energetic boy he usually is. 

Since then, Bruce has had a total of 4 grand mal seizures and has experienced head tremors, lameness, and weakness on the right side of his body, making it challenging for him to stand, walk, and potty. Bruce has lost 4lbs (13% of his total weight) because sometimes it's hard for him to open his mouth. . Medications administered to Bruce are Prednisone (steroid), Clindamycin (antibiotic), and Levetiracetam (anticonvulsant).

 

 

The incredible team at Dale Mabry Animal Hospital evaluated Bruce and suggested an MRI because it looks like the cause is neurological. We have a consultation for Bruce's MRI scheduled for Monday, January 31st at SCAN, a neurological specialist, and have been advised an MRI is needed to help determine where Bruce's symptoms stem from.

 

 

To get Bruce his MRI, tests, and treatment he needs, we are asking family, friends, pup lovers, and anyone who has ever met Bruce for help. We anticipate his medical bills to continue to accumulate quickly. We hope that, with your help, we can get Bruce the treatments and procedures he needs quickly and without hesitation. In addition to the $6,000 we’ve already spent, the cost of the MRI alone is $5000 and must be paid in full the same day, already bringing our total to $11,000. The MRI is just the start of Bruce’s next chapter and can help answer some of our questions regarding Bruce's condition. However, we are preparing Bruce and ourselves for a long road to recovery with the strong possibility of surgery and ongoing tests and treatments.