Hello Everyone, I'm writing this to ask for help for our dog Leo. Around the beginning of August we noticed that Leo wasn't acting like his usual self. He wasn't able to jump on the couches or any of our beds and he just wanted to lay on the floor all day. Then, he lost his appetite and refused to drink water as well. We decided that it was time to take him to a vet. They performed bloodwork and only found slightly elevated lipase levels, which suggests possible pancreatitis. We took him home and changed his diet as the vet instructed to see if he would get better. A couple of days later, we noticed that Leo seemed weak in his hind legs. He dragged them at times, and sometimes they would give out completely under him. We decided it was time to see another vet and tell them about this problem.

It was at this veterinary hospital that they took x-rays and diagnosed him with possible intervertebral disc disease. (IVDD). They told us that this disease was common for his breed and it happens with dogs who jump a lot. Over time the discs between their vertebrae of the spinal column will become displaced. They told us that Leo had two options: get surgery which would result in the best chance of him going somewhat back to normal, or placing him on strict crate rest at home with medications and hope that he would improve. We decided to take the conservative route and take him home with the medication.

Over the next week, Leo was not improving and whenever we took him to the bathroom he wasn't able to support his weight with his back legs and would collapse. Now, we decided to take him to a neurology specialist to see what his best option would be. After this consultation, the neurologist diagnosed him with a possible intervertebral disc herniation. They gave us the same two options once again, explaining that surgery would be the best option to get him as close to normal as possible. Leo would need a CT/MRI scan and hospitalization in addition to the surgery itself, which would add up to $9,000 - $10,000. We agree that surgery would be the best option for Leo, since taking him home and waiting longer could result in a worsening condition and possible paralysis, which is something we want to avoid completely.

Unfortunately, we don't have the sufficient funds for Leo to have this surgery. We've decided to take him home for now with medication and find help. COVID has resulted in all of us to be unemployed and no reliable sources of income. We understand that this is a very difficult time for everyone, but anything helps. Leo is not only a dog, but a part of this family. He's provided our family countless moments of happiness and we can't imagine him not being able to walk again. Our family would greatly appreciate anything you can donate to help him with his condition.

Thank you if you've read this far and stay safe.

- The Guzman family