Help Treat Tuna’s Tremendous Heart

I rescued Tuna when she was just 4 weeks old from a neighbor who was beating her and keeping her on their front porch during chilly October. I fell in love with her instantly, she was so sweet and affectionate; she immediately became my best friend. Her first few months were not easy, I had just started college when I got the news from her vet that she had a broken jaw and hip dysplasia, both obtained from the abuse she’d suffered as a puppy. Luckily at the time, I had received a full scholarship, so I was able to use the entirety of my financial aid for schooling towards her medical care. Once she was feeling better, she became the happiest puppy. She became my entire world.

I suffer from clinical anxiety disorder and PTSD. Something I found out early was how in tune to my emotions she was. Whenever I was having a panic attack, or PTSD attack, she would nudge my hands and encourage me to pet or hold her. She’d climb up my chest and press her cheek against mine, staying with me until the fits had stopped. She is silly and sweet. She loves running around outside and sucking on her favorite hedgehog stuffie. She “sings” whenever I sing, which is more like howling, but I love it all the same. She’s a goofball and has brought a light to my life that I didn’t realize I was missing. I’ve never been more grateful or loved anything as much as I love her. She may be tiny, but she’s always had the biggest heart. Though now, we need help making that statement far less literal.

Recently, she has started having bloating in her abdomen. It was sudden and scary, and I took her to the vet when I realized it was local to only her belly. During her visit, the vet gave me a grave face when he listened to her heart. He handed me the stethoscope and had me listen as well. She had an irregular heartbeat, rapid and uneven. The following week, she had a full work up. She had scans, x-rays, bloodwork, a heart worm test, and an abdominal tap performed. We found that there was an excess of fluid in her abdomen. They drained 3.2lbs of it from her that day. She went in 19.8lbs and left 16.6lbs. The scans showed that her heart was dilated (enlarged). It was working so hard to keep her body going, it began pooling excess fluid into her abdomen. These were signs of right-sided heart failure, which was odd for a dog only 7 years old. She was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy, likely genetic in origin (dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a condition in which the heart muscle weakens and enlarges, making it difficult for the heart to pump blood effectively). It is something she will have for the rest of her life, but hopefully with proper medication and treatment, she can still be my happy healthy girl.

She has begun medication, and will likely need regular taps done on her stomach to relieve the fluid buildup. I am doing everything I can for her, but I am worried about how much I’ll be able to handle regarding the expenses on my own as I’m already struggling to cover her original work up. I am so terrified of losing her; I haven’t had enough time with her, and this is more than I can shoulder alone. She’s responding to the medication well, which gives me hope for her future. I am beyond grateful for any help you can give. It is hard for me to reach out and ask for help, but Tuna is my family. I don’t know what I would do without her.

So far, I’ve spent over $1,200 out of my own pocket to cover the initial visit, the full work up and abdominal tap, and the upcoming follow up for her first injection and medications. Any donations will help me fund her treatments, vet bills, and medication. It will also go towards additional injections or abdominal taps she will need, and taurine rich food and supplements to help keep her heart healthy. Thank you for taking the time to read about Tuna. Even if you are unable to donate, I would be so thankful if you could share this with your friends and family. Please send love to my sweet girl, and thank you again.