Three days ago, what was supposed to be a normal run at the park turned into our absolute worst nightmare. Our dog Cooper slipped chasing the ball, took a hard twist, and suddenly couldn't move or use his back legs at all. Seeing him completely helpless, crying out in pain and unable to stand on his own left us feeling absolutely terrified.

We immediately rushed him to the emergency vet, worried he may be paralyzed forever or even worse, has to be euthanized. Later that evening the doctor informed us she thought it could be Fibrocartilaginous embolism (FCE) or Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) which would require surgery. Since Cooper’s injury involves his spinal cord, and there is only one neurologist on Vancouver Island who didn’t have the time to see us that weekend, he had to be transferred to a Vancouver vet for the last few days where they have kept him monitored, did an MRI to rule out the need for surgery, and kept him pain free.

We finally have an official diagnosis: Cooper suffered a spinal stroke (FCE) 

Learn More About FCE

On his second night in the hospital the Neurologist called to inform us that Cooper will NOT need a major spinal surgery. Even better, his sweet personality is still shining through despite the pain he’s in. They told us has eaten his first meal since he’s been in their care but only out of their hands. The doctors also found that he still has deep feeling in his toes, which means his nerves are alive and he has a fantastic chance of walking, or even running again.

Right now, he has a urinary catheter in while his body rests. The veterinary team wants to keep him hospitalized for another 24 hours to monitor him closely, remove the catheter, and make sure he can urinate completely on his own before we can safely bring him home.

While we are profoundly grateful he is going to make it, the reality of a multi-day emergency stay, round the clock ICU care, and specialist diagnostic testing has left us with an overwhelmingly large veterinary bill that we cannot afford on our own. He also faces a long, strict road of crate rest and physical rehabilitation ahead to get his legs working again.

We are asking for any help you can provide to help us cover these heavy emergency hospital costs and his upcoming rehabilitation therapies. 

Even just $5, $10, or $20 donations would mean the world. Every single donation will be going towards Cooper’s vet bills for both the Victoria stay/treatments and the Vancouver multi-day stay/treatments and towards his ongoing rehabilitation through physiotherapy recommended by the Boundary Bay veterinary hospital he is at currently. 

If you aren't able to donate, please consider sharing Cooper’s story. He is our whole world, our baby boy, and we just want to see him back to his regular self again. He is such a sweet, silly, loving pet and we would do anything for him. 

Thank you for your kindness, love, and support during the scariest days of our lives. We are hopeful for his recovery and we are really looking forward to going home soon with our boy.