Hi - my name is Jill Pruetz, and I am fundraising for my friend, Katie Gerstner & her sweet dog, Annie.

Katie needs help covering the cost of Annie's emergency visit, her medications, an MRI for Annie, and things to help Annie recover, like dog ramps.

Annie herniated a disc recently and the rupturing bruised her spinal cord, which is effecting her ability to walk. She was diagnosed with acute non-compressive nucleus pulposus extrusion (ANNPE). It is a specific type of intervertebral disc problem that is also known as a 'high-velocity low volume' disc extrusion. It occurs secondary to excessive force being placed on a normal disc (e.g., vigorous exercise, falling, trauma- or in Annie’s case, running in the backyard as she always does & loves doing!).

The results of the ER consol were inconclusive, so Katie opted to do the next step, which was an MRI. The scan concluded that surgery is not necessary, thank goodness, but her recovery will require a lot of rest and physical therapy.

The ER consol, bloodwork and X-rays cost $830.

The medication cost $165.

The MRI (@ MedVet- Chicago) cost $3250.

One car ramp and one indoor dog stairs (via Chewy) cost $150 (Katie is happy to take/borrow used items too!).

Annie is being a trooper and is improving everyday. She can stand and walk on her own, but her gait and stance are awkward and weak. She’s not allowed off leash for two months, which if you know Annie, will be super hard! But, Annie is currently getting all the greenies, peanut butter and butt scratches she wants. ;)

(A little more info on Katie - she is currently a doctoral student in Anthropology at Texas State University, studying the Fongoli chimpanzees, and a great friend to animals of all kinds!)