Help Support Trace and Tooties Battle Against Pythium

Hi, my name is Marisa Villars.

My husband Tim and I always knew we would have a house full of fur babies.

We started out this year with 3 dogs, and with great sadness, we had to make one of the toughest decisions and we lost our Millie Mae (our first GSP), a day shy of her fourth birthday. She lost her battle to Pythium, a very rare fungus-like infection that most of the time affects the gastrointestinal tract. We started her on medications right away, and as we were awaiting the immunotherapy vaccine, it was too late. The Pythium had taken over her body.

Fast forward to March, we noticed our other GSP, Trace, had started having some diarrhea, which is one of the many symptoms of Pythium. We tried not to worry too much but got him tested just to be sure. Two long weeks went by, and we got the call with the results, which showed he indeed was borderline for Pythium.

Since he got tested, we went ahead and got our third dog tested. With a gut wrenching discovery Tootie our 10 year old Boston has a positive level for Pythium as well.

Since losing Millie, we’ve tried to learn and read whatever we could get our hands on about this vicious disease. Surgery is the only 100% chance for curing this. I have spoken with a surgeon who has done a few surgeries to remove Pythium, and if symptoms start showing up after they both finish immunotherapy. Surgery is the last chance to save them. We are praying for a miracle!

As we all know, anything vet-related is pricey, but most of us would do whatever it takes to save our fur babies. So, we are asking for some financial help for Trace and Tootie. They both will need more ultrasounds to confirm where in the GI tract the Pythium is and then after immunotherapy to see if it helped reverse the rapid growing disease. If immunotherapy doesn’t work, then surgery is the only option left.

In hopes we don’t use the funds they will be donated to Dr. Mendoza at Michigan State University he is partnered up with Dr. Robert Glass in Texas, he is a pathologist and studies Pythium. He is also the one behind the immunotherapy vaccine both of our dogs will be receiving. He owns and operates Pan American Veterinary Laboratories. All funds not used will go towards more research and studies in helping find a preventative for our beloved fur babies!

Anything is very much appreciated! If you don’t have the means to donate, please share this post. Not only are we asking for some financial help, mostly we are wanting to spread awareness to all pet owners and help with finding a cure and more research and studies to fight against this nasty horrific disease!

Much Love,

The Villars

Tim, Marisa, Charley

(Fur babies: Tootie, Trace, and angel Millie)