Please Help Rialto!

Rialto, an amazing spreader of joy, is battling a rare and rapid neurological disease, a that most likely is a disorder of the inner nerves within the ear and neck area. This is only treatable with the right oversight, medication, regular visits to the Neurology Specialist, multiple kinds of treatments,  and it is highly expensive, even with insurance and family help. He and our family are in dire need of help with covering the costs.

It all started with a slight and barely noticeable loss of muscle above one eye, and within a week it rapidly progressed, it’s been a nightmare with countless vet visits, specialist consultations, and expensive tests. The symptoms have made it appear to be one diagnosis, but then new signs led to another diagnosis, multiple times.

Even multiple specialists have been baffled by the odd combination of signs and symptoms. We know so much of what it isn’t, and ultimately the only rational, possible cause, is an inner nerve disorder. All the tests look like everything is fine, but these tests do not show inside the nerve. The only way to test the inside is to sever the nerve, which cannot be reversed.

The costs have soared into the tens of thousands of dollars, and insurance only covers too small an amount of it. Rialto and his family desperately need any help from friends, family, acquaintances, anybody at all, and the kindness of strangers and dog and animal lovers alike.

The Confusing Search for Answers

It all started when Rialto's face began to show signs of rapid muscle loss. Our vets initially suspected Masticatory Muscle Myositis (MMM), an autoimmune disease. We began treatment with steroids, and for a while, it seemed to help, but his condition continued to worsen. He developed paralysis on the right side of his face—he can no longer blink his eye or control his drooling, and he cries out in pain if you touch his ear.

Desperate for answers, I took him to a veterinary neurologist. After extensive tests, including two MRIs, two CT scans, and two spinal taps, they've ruled out MMM. While they still can't pinpoint the exact cause, they believe it's a severe internal nerve issue. The good news is that after increasing steroids we started earlier have been stabilizing his condition, and we have hope that he can still live a happy, pain-free life with ongoing treatment.

The Long Road Ahead

Our next steps include regular neurological check-ups, medication management, and new therapies like physical therapy and acupuncture to help reverse some of the nerve damage. These treatments are essential to prevent the disease from spreading and becoming fatal, but they are also incredibly expensive.

The goal is to raise at least $5,000 to cover the critical and ongoing costs of his treatments.

How Rialto Came Into My Life

Rialto wasn’t just a dog I chose—he was a stray who chose me. We met by chance, and he immediately bonded with me. He was exhausted and scared, but the first night I had him, he laid his head on my lap and fell asleep. The connection and bond was instant and undeniable. I knew I had to do everything to protect this incredible, loving soul.

I knew what being lost, alone and astray was like. I felt a kinship and had to do something.

Everywhere he goes, Rialto brings joy, and laughter and love and light. He's a special dog who deserves a chance to live a happy, healthy life. Please, if you can, help me continue his fight against this insidious and rare Inner Nerve Disorder along his neck and head. Any donation, big or small, will make a huge difference and bring us one step closer to getting Rialto the care he desperately needs.

So here I am asking anyone to please help this incredible, good, and special soul. He can remain living a fun, comfortable life, and still come love on you, and help you feel better too.

Thank you for your kindness and support.