Hope for Bailey's Recovery

Hi Everyone,

As many already know or have witnessed on social media, our sweet and completely healthy and vibrant Miniature Australian Shepherd, Bailey -- our sunshine and joy -- recently suffered a severe spinal cord stroke, leaving her paralyzed from the neck down, with all four limbs paralyzed. It's indescribable the heart-wrenching pain my son Lucas and I have felt as this suddenly and unexpectedly unfolded and even more so, witnessing the subsequent suffering she's going through. This occurred on the night of Easter Sunday, 4/9/23 and she's been hospitalized in the ICU at Access Specialty Animal Hospital in Culver City ever since.

With nerve function testing (toes pinched with hemostatic forceps to observe for a pain response such as vocalizations and withdrawing the leg), three out of her four limbs have been reactive, showing promise of recovery. Sadly her front right leg (the first leg to become paralyzed) is nonreactive. Many dogs with three legs live long happy lives, so there is a promise for a happy future for our Bailey girl!

Unfortunately, Bailey took another turn for the worse and developed Pneumonia. She's been equipped with breathing tubes and antibiotics. Research shows there's a 77% chance of survival in hospitalized dogs with pneumonia, so we have hope for her beating this!

There is hope for recovery and her entire Vet team feels strongly about waiting this out a bit longer because she very much may turn the corner! She's fighting so hard and is eating and drinking. She wants to survive, Lucas and I can just tell and we want to do whatever it takes to save her.

This has however been incredibly costly for me. As a single Mama/single income household, it's financially taking a huge toll on me. She's needed so much diagnostic and continued testing, procedures, ICU level care, a catheter, medications, overnight care, and comprehensive veterinarian care from neurological veterinarians as well as critical care veterinarians. Not to mention the weekly rehabilitative care/PT she'll need to recover her limbs so she can someday walk and run again.

I am never one to ask for help. I'm the people-pleaser giver type, so this is such a hard ask. I've had so much pride in being able to do life alone without support, working more than one job at times, but I'm depleted of funds and am at a point to vulnerably ask for support.

If there's any small or big amount anyone can give, my son Lucas and I would so appreciate it with our whole hearts. We are so thankful already for the outpouring of love. It's lifting us up so much and is truly the fuel that's getting us through this.

We hear you, we feel you, and we love you all.

With gratitude,

Michelle, Lucas and Bailey