Darla was recently diagnosed with a mast cell tumor on her leg. Our local vet wasn’t able to cleanly remove it, so we started seeking a specialist. In those next two weeks, Darla’s health started to rapidly decline. She didn’t eat for days, had a bleeding nose and gums, and could barely stay standing for more than a few seconds. Her incredibly pale gums sent us rushing to Metropolitan Emergency Vet, where she had to start an urgent blood transfusion.

While the vet seems convinced it’s not lymphoma, her blood and platelet levels continue to drop dangerously low. She started a second transfusion this morning. No real answers beyond gastrointestinal bleeding, and they haven’t even spoken to us about the unresolved tumor yet. That being said, the vet bill is already out of hand. We thought we’d just be able to eat the cost of a one-night ER bill, but now she is looking at three to five nights’ stay with possible continued transfusions.

So I hate to do it, but we’re really needing some help at this point. I want to continue to pursue helping my amazing dog, Darla. It sounds like what’s causing this emergency is treatable, so I want to try giving her that help instead of letting her bleed out in pain at home. The continued cancer treatment is another thing altogether at this point, but I’m just asking for some help to get us through whatever it is that’s hurting my dog right now.