Help Fund Zeus's Lifesaving Splenectomy

This is our sweet boy, Zeus. He became a Kuhn back in 2020, after Will and Kerinne took a trip up to the AWA and took a chance on this 3-year-old Shepherd mix. It was surely meant to be. Since day one, he has been the most loyal and loveable dog anyone could ever ask for...and we were kinda asking for a lot with three crazy boys running around.

In February of this year, Zeus's energy and vigor started to decrease tremendously. A dog that could once chase the ball for hours at a time, was having trouble even getting up the steps. After a heartbreaking vet visit, we had to rush him to the Mt. Laurel Animal Hospital for an immediate blood transfusion. We did not know if he was going to make it through the night. We were devastated and completely shocked, as we found out his body was slowly turning on him. One transfusion turned into many more, and after a 48-hour stay, bone marrow draws, tick-borne illness testing, and cancer screenings, it was determined he has an autoimmune disease called, PIMA (Precursor Targeted Immune Mediated Anemia). Essentially, his bone marrow is attacking his red blood cells and he is not producing any on his own. For months, we have been trying multiple immunosuppressive therapies that have sadly not worked at all. Monthly blood transfusions are what is keeping him alive at this point.

For five months, Chris and I have emptied our savings trying everything possible to save Zeus. Vet visits, medications, blood transfusions, hospital stays have cost our family more than $20,000. Zeus's doctor, Dr. Zoto, suggests getting Zeus a splenectomy. By removing his spleen, the hope is to suppress his immune system enough that he starts reproducing red blood cells on his own. She had a difficult case like this a few years back, and was able to eventually get the dog off of all of his medications, and go on to live a long and healthy life. It comes with risks, but we think this might be the answer for Zeus. However, it is another costly procedure and hospital stay.

The hardest part is seeing how much life he still has to give. At just six years old, when he is home with us, he is the old Zeus we know, before his body started attacking itself. He still is constantly in the kitchen looking for snacks, snuggling in bed, waiting for walks, playing with his brothers (both canine and human), and even trying to get us to throw the ball. His quality of life is still there, which is why we simply can't just settle with putting him down because we are taking such a financial hit.

Reaching out for help this way makes Chris and I very vulnerable, and truly quite uncomfortable. However, as all parents know, you will do anything and everything to save the ones you love. Zeus loves unconditionally, and it's our responsibility to give him all we've got.

Any amount you can offer to help with this procedure, would be wonderful. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

With much love and gratitude,

Kerinne, Chris, Will, George, Theo, Ziggy and of course, Zeus.