Thor needs YOUR help!!

Hi there everyone. My name is Danielle Marshall, and I am trying to raise some money in order to pay for medical tests and/or procedures to heal not only my dog, but my best friend.

A little bit about myself:

I am 24 years old and am one of the biggest animal lovers you will meet. I currently own horses, goats, dogs, cats, a ferret, and a female bearded dragon named Doug. Prior to the last wave of Covid, I worked two jobs in order to pay for and care for my animals. I worked as a waitress at The Bitten Moon and as a Pet Stylist at PetSmart. The Bitten Moon has temporarily closed down due to the latest resurgence in Covid. As well as I am currently unable to work and on workers compensation due to a rotator cuff tear, but that’s a story for another day. My great dane, Thor, has an undiagnosed condition that is severely affecting his quality of life and possibly lifespan. Veterinarians in Cape Breton have exhausted all means available to diagnose his condition and so he must be sent to the specialty veterinarian hospital in Prince Edward Island. These tests and treatments will no-doubt be costly, and so I need some assistance from you – friends and fellow animal lovers, to help me fix my friend during this financially difficult time.

A little bit about Thor:

Thor is the most caring, gentle, loving dog who has been by my side since day one. We do everything together and I mean everything, (he attended my hotel birthday party in Halifax with me when I turned 19). Thor and I both suffer from general anxiety daily and our bond has helped one and other overcome these issues. Thor’s favourite pastimes which he has been missing the past couple pf months are to go for walks in the park where he can get lots of attention, swimming, and chasing me through the woods on the ATV. Thor has the kindest soul I have ever met, he brings a smile to anyone that crosses his path. He deserves a life where he can be a dog, where he can run, play and hike with his favourite brother Diesel.

Now I will present a not-so-brief history of the vets’ attempts to diagnose Thor’s condition as well as his symptoms (in chronological order):

• Presents lameness on front left and loses appetite within one day.

• I took his temperature, and he had a fever of 103.6 and so I then called the vet.

• Vet tested for Lyme disease (negative), did bloodwork and X-rays which both came back perfect. Sent him home with antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs.

• Five days go by and he does not progress or eat, and his fever remained.

• Back to the vet on day 7 still having a fever and feeling very sore. Full body X-rays taken (which were sent off to a specialist), ultrasound, and more blood work. All perfect, was sent home and said it could take 10 days for antibiotics to work and was given extra pain meds.

• Day 10 Thor cannot walk by himself, fell over in the kitchen. Has a head tilt and was walking like he was drunk (walking with help from us with a blanket underneath him). We take him straight to the vet. The admit him and now think it is neurological.

• The vet treated him using steroids (prednisone 50mg), and doxycycline was started. He responded to it slowly each day.

• Weeks go by and he seems to be coming along great (aside from major weight gain due to steroids), so we slow down the prednisone and he comes off the antibiotics. Everything was fine until a few more weeks pass, and we get down to 12.5mg a day of prednisone, after which, he had a random flare up in his right shoulder. He became lame, very sore did not want to walk. We upped his prednisone (25mg) and they started him back on doxycycline and he perked back up shortly thereafter.

• Continued this for weeks then he came off the antibiotics again and the next day he had a flare up in his left leg this time - same symptoms. He was running one minute then limping in pain the next.

• Started him back on the antibiotics again and bed rest, and shortly after he perked up a bit to walk up the stairs.

• Had a check-up at the vet and although he was walking again, he was the most painful in his left leg he has ever been (same vet seen him since he was a baby). Added a pain medication called Tramadol.

• Currently he is on 25mg prednisone every second day and 12.5mg on the other, as well as daily tramadol and doxycycline.

• He is basically on bed rest right now which is working to keep him comfortable but his quality of life – for lack of a better word – sucks.

• He has gained 45 pounds from the prednisone as well which is a downfall and another reason why he cannot stay on it.

• The vets here have exhausted their efforts and do not have enough equipment to diagnose him (CT scan/MRI machine).

*ANY EXTRA MONEY DONATED THAT IS NOT NEEDED FOR THOR'S MEDICAL TREATMENT/PROCEDURES WILL BE DONATED TO ANIMAL SHELTERS IN NEED*