For those that don't know Java is a 6 yr. old Australian Shepherd. She's my best friend and co-pilot. Unfortunately, she is very sick and we need your help as her veterinary bills have exceeded $12,000. I prefer to be self-sufficient and cover the costs myself, however, this is beyond my means. I've been consumed with paramedic school for the past year and a half and most of my time "working" has been spent working for free in the hospital and on the ambulance to complete my clinical training time.

Java's Story

As we were traveling home from visiting Rebecca's family for Christmas, Java became ill with jaundice (yellow) eyes and skin. She has been transferred to four different veterinary facilities as we traveled home from Fresno, CA to Missoula, Montana amidst severe winter roads. After numerous tests, Java's elevated bilirubin and other liver enzymes were thought to be due to an occluded Bile Duct of her Gallbladder, potentially from a mucus plug. It was recommended to conduct an abdominal surgery to clear her Bile Duct with a stent and relieve the building pressure allowing bilirubin values to decrease in her blood and prevent irreversible brain damage and death.

Upon opening Java's abdominal cavity, it became apparent that Java has severe pancreatic cancer that was undetected in non-invasive imaging. The cancerous mass has occluded the bile duct and started to spread. The surgeon was unable to clear the bile duct but did place a new drain from her gallbladder to her small intestine that will hopefully allow for proper drainage of bile from her gallbladder and lower her critical bilirubin levels in her blood. At best, Java may have a month or two to live as the cancer has progressed to an untreatable level.

She is currently recovering from surgery this afternoon 1/3/2023 and we will know more on her recovery in the next few days.

I am absolutely heartbroken as her life is projected to be cut far too short as she is only 6. I am equally overwhelmed by the drastic cost of this process and until this afternoon was encouraged with optimism from the veterinary professionals that treated her. Java was a sweetheart of a dog and if you had the pleasure of meeting her, she probably brought a smile to your face. She was loved by many and it is hard to know that she won't be around to spread her love and joy for years to come. If you are able to contribute to her bills, I would be incredibly appreciative. Thank you.