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Help Vinny Walk Again: Urgent Surgery Needed
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$1,840 raised of
27 donations
Help Vinny Walk Again – Our Bulldog Puppy Needs Urgent Surgery
Hi, we’re Cory and Paula Koski, and this is our sweet bulldog puppy, Vinny.
We’ve had Vinny for a little over a month now. He was a happy, playful pup—and up until about two weeks ago, he showed no signs that anything was wrong. But things took a fast turn. Each week, it’s gotten worse. And now, we’re in a fight we never expected—doing everything we can to help him walk again. We are overwhelmed and shocked at this whole situation.
Vinny isn’t just a pet. He’s family and we're going to do anything we possibly can to get him through this.
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Vinny’s Diagnosis
Vinny has been diagnosed with:
Multiple congenital thoracic vertebral malformations
Suspected secondary IVDD or spinal stenosis
Thoracic spine kyphosis
Put simply: Vinny was born with a malformed spine. The bones in his back didn’t form correctly, and now they’re compressing his spinal cord—causing serious neurological damage.
He’s already dragging his back legs, falling over when he tries to move, and struggling to even stand when he needs to go to the bathroom. His back end just gives out like it’s not even there. It’s heartbreaking to watch—and it’s getting worse.
He’s only 16 weeks old. Just a baby. And he doesn’t understand why his legs won’t work.
If we don’t act fast, paralysis is very likely—and irreversible.
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What He Needs
We’ve already taken him to the vet and done the initial exams. The next steps are clear:
✅ A full MRI to see how much his spinal cord is being compressed Sept 3rd.
✅ Spinal surgery to relieve the pressure and give him a shot at a normal life, possibly Sept 4th.
His care will be handled by specialists at the University of Minnesota, who’ve helped dogs like him before.
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The Cost
MRI & Pre-op Diagnostics: $4,000-4,500
Spinal Surgery: $8,000-10,000
Recovery & Rehab: TBD
We’re asking to help raise $12,500 to help cover the most urgent parts of his care. The total cost will likely exceed well over $14,000, but this amount would get Vinny the MRI and get us on the path to life-saving surgery.
The X-ray we’ve included tells the story—his spine is curved when it should be straight. That curve is crushing the nerves to his back legs. This is urgent. If we wait, he may lose all function permanently.
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❤️ We’re Doing All We Can
We’ve been applying for help, reaching out to organizations, and looking at every possible option to get him treated. But we can’t do this alone.
We never imagined we’d be the people starting a fundraiser like this—but when it’s your dog, your family, your little pup looking up at you in pain… you do whatever it takes.
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Where Your Support Goes
Every single dollar goes directly to Vinny’s care. We’ll be sharing updates, receipts, MRI results, and progress photos every step of the way.
If we’re fortunate enough to raise more than we need, all extra funds will be donated to Hope Animal Shelter, to help other animals in need of a second chance.
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If You Can Help…
Please donate if you’re able. Even $5 makes a difference.
And just as important—share this with anyone who knows what it means to love a dog like they’re family.
From the bottom of our hearts—thank you for reading, caring, and standing with us. Vinny deserves a shot at life. We’re doing everything we can to give it to him.
Vinny trying to walk
— Cory, Paula, and Vinny Koski
Upper Peninsula, Michigan
Organiser
