don't wanna be a tri-pod dog...

Everyone that has met, known or ever heard me speak out loud, knows that my rescue mastiff mix, Dolph is my entire world. I knew when I adopted him at 8 weeks old, he would be a challenge - but I never expected to draw so many short straws...

 

Despite all efforts over the past few months, we are down to our last attempt to save Dolph's left leg. After or in alternative to this, amputation would be the only option - not a great choice for a giant breed arthritic dog with exisiting compromised joints.

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The [not so] short story:

Dolph had TTA surgery in November of 2018. He fully recovered and completed physical therapy. Then, in 2020 I noticed he was not doing great. With the help of his PT & VCA Animal Specialty Group, it was discovered his TTA had completely failed and he needed a very complex TPLO to correct his injuries. He had his first corrective surgery in July 2020, and then two follow up surgeries for failed sutures.

 

Dolph did everything right, but his body just was working against him and didn't hold up with the surgeries. We finally got him a custom orthopedic brace to support his leg. Everything was finally going great again. We were back at PT and looking strong. Then things turned for the worst...

 

Things were finally on the up and up but then, Dolph collapsed and was hospitalized for an infection that localized at his surgery site and caused him to become completely septic. Luckily, the care of VCA Animal Specialty Group was able to save him, and we've gotten the infection under control for now. Though the tissue has healed, there is an extreme likelihood that the metal in his body has developed a biofilm that has harbored the infection and will bring it back once he is off of his antibiotics.

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Dolph requires explant surgery: removal of any, and all, implants possible - screws, plates, sutures, etc. He is scheduled to go in on April 19th to have it done. It is at added difficulty and risk because the TTA cage from his surgery in 2018 has not been cooperative - they tried to remove it once before, during his TPLO surgery in July.

 

I hate that I am here, but I am. I am humbly asking for any help you might be able or generous enough to give in aid my fur baby and me. Dolph does have pet insurance, but anything related to his left knee isn't covered because of the TTA surgery in 2018. Everything has to be paid out of pocket and upfront to the hospital. I have genuinely exhausted my finances in every way possible before coming to this point of asking for aid. Any amount (literally, even $5) is tremendous and makes a HUGE difference - just think of how all those sides of guac or Starbucks coffees add up, real fast. 

If you prefer to send a donation via Venmo, PayPal or Zelle, that is also welcome - please put "for Dolph's surgery" in the memo of your donation. My handle/info is @Marcelin-Jurbina & [email redacted]. respectively.

The goal is the high estimated total for the final explant surgery and pre-op work. There are many other expenses as well (medicine, follow up appointments and procedures, etc.). So, in the unlikely event that I raise more than the goal amount, please know every single penny would go towards any pre and/or post expense Dolph has or does accrue.

 

Thank you so much for even taking the time to read this story. I know so many of you have been and continue to be huge supporters and lovers of Dolph - I mean, it's hard not to. And in any case, I know that you are all sending your strength and healing energy his way. Fingers crossed that this is the last step in our journey and we will finally have our boy on the mend for good.