Maya is the sweetest 2.5 year old Shiba Inu, who was in perfect health before June 2021. Seriously this is no regular Shiba - she lets you touch her feet, loves all people and dogs, doesn't bolt out the door, cuddles in laps, and has to say goodbye to all the people at the vet before leaving. She has also been a great emotional support doggo for her mama.

Since June 5th 2021, her parents Alisa & Brian have been trying to get her the best care possible for mysterious low platelet counts and declining RBC levels. After 3 months of tests and various drugs but little improvement, our regular vet suggested we spoil her over Labor Day weekend and prepare plans to say goodbye. We cried and rushed for an emergency second opinion from Veterinary Specialists.

The specialist visit handed us another $1200 bill, still with no clear diagnosis, but a brighter outlook: they do NOT recommend we euthanize. With a bit of renewed hope and an appointment with the best vet clinic for 100 miles, we are following the new vet's advice, weaning her off the drugs (which weren't working) and supporting her liver (which was overwhelmed by the drugs) with Denamarin .

She seems a bit lethargic, but still happy, learning new tricks, eating all her food, and walking several times a day. We would love to see her be her energetic old self and recover, and don't want cost to be a consideration. We will not put her through painful treatments if the outlook is not going to add many years of quality life, but we are hopeful.

We have not done a bone marrow biopsy yet, but the estimate for that is $2476.48. Please don't be cancer.... We are hoping the specialists (Internal Medicine, Oncologists if needed) can advise us how to proceed. We see them again September 27.

We have paid over 5k so far and future large bills are anticipated. If you are able to help just a little, or share, share, SHARE with people who aren't as strapped for cash as most folks we know, it would be truly appreciated.

Here is Maya in her sexy pose to entice you.... because HOT DOG! (sorry, gotta laugh so we don't cry.)

We would love to see her "Barkouring" around the neighborhood again. Get better Maya!