Help Keba Get the Care He Desperately Needs

I normally wouldn't do this, but I am asking for help for Keba. My resources are now limited because I lost my job at Fairview Lakes. I believe I injured or aggravated my back when I was at work at the end of March 2024. I originally hurt my back in the military, so it's a service-connected disability. I unfortunately couldn't return to work due to the complications of the injury and was fired on October 15, 2024.

I was receiving long-term disability (LTD) through UNUM (after waiting months for approval), but they terminated those benefits at the end of April. I do receive VA disability, but that only goes so far, and the loss of LTD is devastating. I apparently didn't qualify for MN unemployment because I was fired for a disability, but I just recently reapplied. I've also applied for other assistance, but those applications take time. Due to the restrictions I have because of my back (can't lift over 10 lbs, limited kneeling, bending, squatting, standing, etc.), my employment prospects are extremely limited. I am working on finding a new career through the VA because I won't be able to work in the security industry again.

I do have credit cards, but those are close to maxed out because I've been using them for Keba's veterinary care. I wanted to explain why I'm requesting assistance.

Which brings me to Keba. In the past 5 months, he's been experiencing issues with his front and rear left legs. The vet believes it's due to arthritis, so he's been getting monthly Librela injections and medications which seem to help. The vet did have concerns that there is a bony mass in his left rear leg that could be cancerous, but tests didn't give a definite conclusion. They did want to remove a section of that area, but since he's been through so many visits and tests (including dental surgery) these last months, I wanted to limit any more invasive procedures for a little bit.

Last Monday, he ran into the swimming pool I had set up for the dogs (since it was so hot), and he started crying and limping on his left rear leg. I was able to get him into another vet (Vetco), and they determined he had torn his ACL and would need surgery to repair it. While that is an issue I need to deal with, the bigger issue right now is that he started having issues urinating on Sunday. He's had a UTI before, so I took him to his vet (Southshore Veterinary in Forest Lake) on Tuesday.

A urinalysis was performed, and he was given amoxicillin for the potential UTI. They also drained his bladder, which helped. The vet was concerned about his groin area, so x-rays and an ultrasound were done. They saw a mass around his prostate, which they believe is prostate cancer. A cytology was done, and the sample was sent out, but results could take up to a week.

Even with amoxicillin, which can take a few days to help him start urinating normally, he's back to peeing small amounts. He is refusing to eat, and he's not drinking as much. He's lethargic and has vomited a few times. He has also lost approximately 3 pounds since his last vet visit. I'm hoping the lethargy, limited eating and drinking, and vomiting are a result of the amoxicillin. I just don't know and am really worried he does have prostate cancer. I've looked up this type of cancer, and it's extremely aggressive in dogs and is difficult to treat because it's usually detected at an advanced stage. Without treatment, life expectancy is around 2 months. With treatment such as surgery and chemotherapy, expectancy can be approximately 20 months, but those treatments rarely work. The only thing that can be done is pain management.

I'm going to try to get him into Access Care Veterinary (thankfully they take payment such as Affirm and Sunbit) today to see if they can drain his bladder to give him some relief until results come back.

All of the research I've done is leaning towards prostate cancer. If he does have it, I'm not going to do any treatments with him and draw out his pain.

That's why I'm asking friends on here for help. I'm not sure if additional tests, medications, etc. will be needed and what the potential costs will be, but I'm financially strained. Even though Access Vet takes payments, I would prefer further care at Southshore Vet where he has been going for 9 years. Any help would be used for his veterinary care.

Another reason I'm asking for help is that if he has cancer, I would like him to be laid to rest at home in a comfortable, familiar environment surrounded by his brother and sisters. I would also like to have his cremated ashes returned. Veterinarians that provide that service don't take payment plans, and costs can range from $500 or more depending on the type of service and day/time of the week.

My dogs are my family, and I want to give Keba the care he needs but due to circumstances I can't afford. If you can donate to Keba's care, I would greatly appreciate it. I apologize for the long story, but I felt it necessary to let everyone know what's been going on. Thank you very much.

Mike