Help Chewie Get His Surgery
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Chewie is an 11-year-old male Yorkie. He is the LOVE of our lives but we just received heartbreaking news from his vet. Chewie needs surgery to have his gallbladder removed ASAP because he faces the possibility of an attack where he can possibly face a life or death situation. This surgery can range from $5,000 to $7,000 including his aftercare and the necessary tests to ensure he is able to survive the surgery due to his age. The stress of the surgery alone is nerve-wracking but we have been financially drained trying to keep him healthy through numerous visits to the vet, tests, prescription food, and medications. Anyone that knows me knows that it is hard for me to ask for help, let alone money but I can not even think of losing our baby boy. My family is doing everything we can to come together to try to save Chewie but any additional support you can offer will be immensely appreciated. Please read below to learn more about Chewie, his health, and upcoming surgery.
Chewie was born on November 24th, 2006 but he officially became apart of the family on February 18th, 2007. From the moment he stepped foot into our home, he has changed our lives and I am trying to do everything I can to ensure we can continue to give him a long happy life. To some people, he may be “just a dog” but words can not even explain the impact he has had on our lives.
At a very young age, Chewie was poisoned by a weed killer that a neighbor put out on their grass. We were unaware and after returning from a walk he became violently ill. We rushed him to the vet and we almost lost him. This unfortunate event left him with stomach issues. However, he has been able to live a relatively good life. Of course, he is on special prescription food which is costly, but well worth it if it keeps him healthy.
In April 2017, he was diagnosed with Cushing's disease after months of intensive testing to diagnose the problem. This included bloodwork and other diagnostic testing. It wasn't until an ultrasound was performed that it was determined he had Cushing's. At this time a gallbladder problem was also found. His vet put him on meds to try to resolve the sludge building in his gallbladder and said we would have to continue to monitor the build-up closely.
Chewie needs to have an ACTH test every 4 months. The test monitors the levels of enzymes in the liver as well as checks whether the adrenal glands are responding to the medication. It also helps to determine if the dosage of medication should be increased or decreased which aides in the control of the disease. This costly test is a vital part of an accurate treatment of Cushing's disease and contributes to the survival of the dog. Therefore it must be performed every four months. This test can range from $500 to $1,200 each visit depending on if an ultrasound is needed. His Cushing disease and gallbladder meds are also costly ranging from $100.00 to $150 per month depending on how many months supply you purchase at a time. This does not include the prescription food diet that he must be on.
It is now one year later and Chewie is not getting any better. It has It has come to the point where he needs surgery. He sees an internist every four months and requires bloodwork and a test to check his levels pertaining to the Cushings disease as well as monitoring the gallbladder. His vet highly recommends surgery AS SOON AS POSSIBLE due to the fact there has been no improvement and the gallbladder continues to deteriorate. He faces the possibility of a life or death situation. This surgery can range from $5,000 to $7,000. Chewie is also going to need to be closely monitored and cared for after his surgery. Thankfully, my mom is able to take time off of work to care for him. This also costs her time and money, but she will do anything to ensure he has a speedy recovery.
If you took the time to read about Chewie and our personal situation, THANK YOU! My family and I appreciate any donations to help save our little boy. We do not have a date set for his surgery at this time because we do not have the funds but we are running out of time. Please help us raise money for Chewies surgery!
Chewie was born on November 24th, 2006 but he officially became apart of the family on February 18th, 2007. From the moment he stepped foot into our home, he has changed our lives and I am trying to do everything I can to ensure we can continue to give him a long happy life. To some people, he may be “just a dog” but words can not even explain the impact he has had on our lives.
At a very young age, Chewie was poisoned by a weed killer that a neighbor put out on their grass. We were unaware and after returning from a walk he became violently ill. We rushed him to the vet and we almost lost him. This unfortunate event left him with stomach issues. However, he has been able to live a relatively good life. Of course, he is on special prescription food which is costly, but well worth it if it keeps him healthy.
In April 2017, he was diagnosed with Cushing's disease after months of intensive testing to diagnose the problem. This included bloodwork and other diagnostic testing. It wasn't until an ultrasound was performed that it was determined he had Cushing's. At this time a gallbladder problem was also found. His vet put him on meds to try to resolve the sludge building in his gallbladder and said we would have to continue to monitor the build-up closely.
Chewie needs to have an ACTH test every 4 months. The test monitors the levels of enzymes in the liver as well as checks whether the adrenal glands are responding to the medication. It also helps to determine if the dosage of medication should be increased or decreased which aides in the control of the disease. This costly test is a vital part of an accurate treatment of Cushing's disease and contributes to the survival of the dog. Therefore it must be performed every four months. This test can range from $500 to $1,200 each visit depending on if an ultrasound is needed. His Cushing disease and gallbladder meds are also costly ranging from $100.00 to $150 per month depending on how many months supply you purchase at a time. This does not include the prescription food diet that he must be on.
It is now one year later and Chewie is not getting any better. It has It has come to the point where he needs surgery. He sees an internist every four months and requires bloodwork and a test to check his levels pertaining to the Cushings disease as well as monitoring the gallbladder. His vet highly recommends surgery AS SOON AS POSSIBLE due to the fact there has been no improvement and the gallbladder continues to deteriorate. He faces the possibility of a life or death situation. This surgery can range from $5,000 to $7,000. Chewie is also going to need to be closely monitored and cared for after his surgery. Thankfully, my mom is able to take time off of work to care for him. This also costs her time and money, but she will do anything to ensure he has a speedy recovery.
If you took the time to read about Chewie and our personal situation, THANK YOU! My family and I appreciate any donations to help save our little boy. We do not have a date set for his surgery at this time because we do not have the funds but we are running out of time. Please help us raise money for Chewies surgery!
Organizer
Franca Vidal
Organizer
Cherry Hill, NJ