In 24 hours, two-year-old pup, Franny, went from perfectly healthy to no longer having use of her back legs.

I came home from a New Year’s party to find Franny walking with a slight limp, and she seemed uncomfortable. By morning that had progressed, and we went to the emergency vet who gave her pain and inflammation medication and sent us home, with a suspicion she had IVDD. By midnight, she had lost use of her back legs and was constantly in pain, and we were at a second, emergency vet who had a neurology department.

Franny required an MRI followed by spine surgery by a neurosurgeon to recover from the damage. With surgery, she has a 90% chance of walking again. Without it, she had months of unbearable pain and a 50% chance of walking again. The choice was clear.

Franny has been the light of my life for almost exactly two years, and to think of her suffering like she was, and the thought of losing her was unbearable. To get this surgery, I’ve gone into serious debt, and will be looking at about $800 per month to pay off the costs, not to mention the thousands already spent.

Upon completion of the MRI, the surgeon confirmed she had a herniated disc, and her spinal cord was swollen and bruised. This also confirmed the diagnosis of IVDD (Intervertebral Disc Disease), a lifelong degenerative bone disease. Surgery was necessary to relieve the pressure of the disk, and needed to happen quickly to avoid further/ continued paralysis and of course, her intense pain.

Any donation is appreciated more than words can say. I’m heartbroken that I even have to ask, and every penny will go towards paying the surgery debt.

UPDATE: The local vet lowered the price of surgery to $11,000 from $16,000 originally quoted.

UPDATE 2: Franny had her surgery and is home. She’s a hurting girl, but meds are helping significantly. She’s in diapers, and it will be weeks if not months before she walks (90% chance according to her neurosurgeon). Her tail and both legs moved today- twice, so I’m hopeful for her recovery. The vet was willing to finance her surgery, and looking ahead will be some hefty payments.

I am endlessly grateful to everyone who has donated towards Franny’s surgery, or shared this. It’s going to be a long road but I’m so happy to have my furdaughter home. ❤️