Help Roxie Fight for Her Life

Three years ago, my sister asked for help when one of her new little puppies faced a serious heart condition. Asking wasn’t easy then, and it isn’t easy now — but today, I decided that I needed to reach out again, as her sister, with a hopeful heart reaching out for my fur-niece, Roxie, their beloved 3-year-old teacup Maltese.

Two nights ago, Roxie suffered severe, life-threatening seizures and very nearly didn’t make it. Thanks to emergency care and ongoing treatment, she is still with us — and her veterinary team believes that her condition is treatable and manageable with proper care. Roxie is young, affectionate, and full of life. This is not a situation where we are preparing to say goodbye — this is a fight to give her the future she deserves.

A Brief Medical Summary

Roxie has been diagnosed with a serious inflammatory neurological condition, believed to be immune-mediated, where her body mistakenly attacks her own central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). Conditions like this are more commonly seen in tiny toy breeds, including Maltese, and can cause sudden and frightening symptoms.

In Roxie’s case, her illness led to:

• Severe and sudden seizures

• Neurological symptoms affecting coordination and responsiveness

• Emergency hospitalizations and intensive testing

To reach her diagnosis, Roxie required extensive evaluations to rule out infections and other causes, including blood work, advanced imaging, and ongoing neurological assessments. These conditions often mimic brain tumors, making diagnosis and monitoring especially complex.

The good news — and the reason we are fighting so hard — is that her veterinarians believe Roxie’s condition is treatable. Treatment involves long-term immunosuppressive therapy and seizure-control medications, along with close monitoring, frequent follow-up visits, and adjustments to her care plan as her body responds.

The Financial Reality

So far, Roxie’s medical bills have exceeded $15,000, and her monthly medication costs alone will be coming in at $500, not including regular neurology appointments and required follow-up testing. My sister and her husband are doing everything in their power, but they are facing the heartbreaking reality of not knowing how long they can continue financially — even though Roxie’s doctors believe she has a real chance at a good quality of life.

It is incredibly difficult to ask for help again, and this decision was not made lightly. But Roxie is only three years old, and has a perfectly healthy-sister Callie who could never even imagine living without her sister. Lastly, knowing that her condition is manageable makes it impossible not to try everything for her.

Any contribution — no matter the size — will go directly toward:

• Emergency and ongoing veterinary and neurological care

• Monthly seizure and immunosuppressive medications

• Necessary follow-up visits and monitoring

If you are unable to donate, sharing Roxie’s story is deeply appreciated and helps more than words can say.

We are profoundly grateful for the kindness, love, and support surrounding Roxie and our family. Thank you for reading her story and for helping us give her the chance to live the long, happy life she deserves.

With heartfelt thanks,

❤️

Jaclyn Dowd (Tasha’s MUCH Younger Sister)

**all donations will go directly Tasha and Jim Ryan for the care of Roxie