Help to save Rusty

I know there are many people out there who have once had or still have a dog that has changed their life.  A dog that validates the love we have for animals, a dog that to us is the most clever, beautiful, gentle and kind. A dog that cannot be replaced by anyone or anything else, whose memory will stay with us forever. This dog for our family is Rusty.

At the beginning of this month, Rusty got very ill with what seemed like just an infection which couldn't be located. After spending almost 3 weeks at a diagnostic centre in Cambridge, he has lost 5.5 pounds, continues to run a 40 degree fever and is deteriorating by the day, whilst the results for infection have come back negative in every possible test.

The amazing vets at Dick White Referrals are giving him a last chance this weekend with steroid treatment for Immune Mediated Neutropenia. Rusty's body has had a dangerously small count of white blood cells since being referred, indicating that there is something in his body that's killing them. Steroids suppress the immune system, helping the white blood cells to build up. But, the shape of Rusty's white blood cells indicates that there is still an infection in his body, despite all tests coming back as negative. With this chance of infection, the steroid treatment will make the infection take over his whole body. This is very risky and an extremely rare case, but with a number of different antibiotics not working, this is Rusty's last fighting chance. 

We have done everything we can for Rusty. But, it seems that Pet Insurance and our own money isn't enough to save him. So, we are turning to you, fellow family, friends and dog lovers. . He is only 5 years old and has many more years of guarding his favourite tennis ball, running in the park and getting jealous of whoever's being cuddled instead of him.  It is not his time yet, so please, help us get Rusty home.