Help Victoria Walk Again: Support Her Recovery

Hey everyone,

My name is Kiley and I am a mom of a toddler: Crew and 3 dogs: Mysti, Victoria, and Koda.

Im reaching out for any help so Victoria can get the care she needs.Victoria is a fighter, and I know she can get through anything, but we started this GoFundMe to help with medical bills for her so we can give her the best chance of overcoming this.

Victoria is such a sweet, loving girl that just wants to be near you and get all the pets. She loves to run around and chase her brother Koda. She is very well-mannered but she does love to bark, she is just protecting her family lol. She has been with me for about 6 years now. She has been through all life's ups and downs with me, and people might call me a crazy dog mom, but she is my baby.

On Tuesday, November 13, it was a normal day. We got up for work, fed and played with the dogs for a bit, then left for work. When I got home, all the dogs usually greet me at the door, but this time Victoria was not there. I went outside to check, and there she was at the bottom of the steps going up to the dog door, and she wasn't moving. I told her to come in and realized her back left leg wasn't moving at all. So I brought her inside, and her leg had completely lost movement. We rushed her to the Fargo Emergency Pet Hospital to make sure her leg wasn't broken. She sat there for 6 hours, had a check-up, x-ray, blood test, etc., and it came back that nothing was broken but they suspect she has IVDD but she needs an MRI to confirm.

Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) is condition in dogs that occurs when the cushioning discs between the vertebrae in the spinal column bulge or burst into the spinal cord.

They put her on 3 different medications to help manage her pain and to try and get the inflammation down. They recommend an MRI to figure out exactly what is going on and to fix things quickly so it doesn't lead to paralyzation. Unfortunately, they only perform MRI's in the cities at a costly rate. They estimate at $3,500 to $5,000 at all 3 pet hospitals. That doesn't include surgery if she needs it which they estimate $8,500.

Right now, we have an appointment set up at the University of Minnesota Vet Hospital Neurology department to get a consultation and then hopefully an MRI. Depending on what the MRI says, we will have to try and go through with spinal surgery if we can or further treatment if the MRI says anything different. Then whatever recovery treatment is needed.

She is not able to go to the bathroom by herself and has limited movement so someone being with her is important through this process which has been difficult with us needing to be working.

We have a long road ahead of us to ensure she is not in pain and is getting the best treatment for her condition to figure out whats going on. I have to try everything in my power to help her get back to being able to walk, go to the bathroom, and just be normalish again.

This has been really hard on us mentally, emotionally and financially and if you know me, you know I HATE asking for help, but honestly, I'm not sure what else to do at this point.

If Victoria has ever lighted up your day with a cuddle, stood on your leg for pets, did one of her fun tricks, or if you know me and know how much she means to us, we would really appreciate anything!

If not, no worries at all; we totally understand times are tough! Just please keep her in your thoughts and prayers. If you'd like to share we would really appreciate it!❤️‍