About Hugo

If you’ve met Hugo, you probably know him as a sweet, playful little Frenchie. His joy for life is contagious, and he loves his people with all his heart. Hugo is known for his obsession with his favourite orange golf ball, and he’s always inventing new games to play with it if he can’t find someone willing to play nonstop fetch with him.

But in the early hours of April 13, 2024, Hugo’s life changed drastically.

What happened?

At 2:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 13, we heard Hugo walking around restlessly, unable to find a spot to settle down. When Jacen tried to lift him onto the bed, Hugo let out a loud yelp of pain. Not knowing what was wrong, Jacen took Hugo outside to see if he had to go to the bathroom. Hugo just sat on the grass and looked up at Jacen. He refused to climb back up the stairs.

Back inside, Hugo seemed increasingly uncomfortable and began panting heavily and yelping in pain whenever he moved into certain seated positions, so we rushed him to the emergency vet. (I’m forever grateful that we have an emergency vet less than a half-hour drive away! )

At the clinic, Hugo’s continued to be in pain, yelping and crying. The vet suspected he had intervertebral disc disease (IVDD), though she could not definitively diagnose him without a CT scan (which, we were told at the time, wouldn’t be possible until Monday). Since Hugo was still able to walk, and his reflexes were still working (albeit delayed on his back left leg), the plan was to manage his pain and allow him to rest—and hope the damage would stop there.

Over the course of the day, the pain meds finally seemed to start to work, and Hugo was able to rest without too much discomfort. His appetite was almost nonexistent (all we could get him to eat was a few pieces of toast with peanut butter), and he didn’t drink all day. So when we took him outside midafternoon, and he didn’t have to go to the bathroom, we didn’t think too much of it. But when we took him out before bed, he still didn’t go, and he could no longer walk properly. He just dragged his back legs behind him. He could sort of prop himself up on his back legs, though, so we still hoped that rest was all he needed.

When he woke up on Sunday morning and still couldn’t walk (or go to the bathroom), we brought him back to the emergency vet. The vet confirmed that Hugo had lost sensation in his back legs and that surgery was now the only option. And even then, surgery would give him only a 50-50 chance of being able to walk again. But without surgery, permanent paralysis was guaranteed, so emergency surgery was our only hope. (Because Hugo’s IVDD had progressed to such an advanced stage, it was now possible to involve an emergency veterinary surgeon.)

Hugo underwent surgery just before noon on Sunday, April 14. We hope to be able to take him home after a few days of recovery in hospital (the length of stay depends on how well his recovery goes).

Why we need your help

If you know me and Jacen, you know our dogs mean everything to us, and we’ll do anything for them.

Thank you for your interest in Hugo’s recovery and for considering donating. Any contribution would really help support the costs of Hugo’s surgery and forthcoming rehabilitation. The rough quote given to us by the vet for the surgery was $9,000, assuming Hugo’s postsurgery recovery goes perfectly.

If you’re unable to donate to Hugo’s fund financially, any well wishes, thoughts, and prayers for him are greatly appreciated. ❤️ Please consider sharing with your social networks as well.

TL;DR: Hugo underwent emergency back surgery due to advanced intervertebral disc disease. We’re seeking donations to help cover the estimated $9,000 surgery cost and eventual rehabilitation. Your support means the world to us and Hugo. ❤️