Help for Cici

Title: Help Save CiCi: A Little Chihuahua's Fight Against IVDD

Hello, my name is Jan, and I'm not accustomed to asking for help, but today I'm reaching out on behalf of my beloved 6-year-old chihuahua, CiCi. This story began just over a week ago when CiCi started showing signs of discomfort. What started as a slight discomfort soon turned into excruciating pain, leaving me with no choice but to rush her to the emergency vet.

The X-rays revealed the dreaded diagnosis - mineralization in a disk in her back, a cruel manifestation of Intervertebral Disk Disease (IVDD). The diagnosis was devastating. 

With pain medication in hand, I returned home, hopeful that rest and treatment would bring relief to my precious CiCi.

Within days, CiCi's condition deteriorated rapidly. Her once lively gait was replaced by wobbly legs, and soon she couldn't stand without my support. It was a heart-wrenching sight to witness my little princess's rapid decline.

Desperation set in as I scheduled an appointment with a neurologist, clinging to the hope that they could offer a glimmer of hope. The neurologist's words were both a blessing and a curse. He confirmed my worst fears - a herniated disc in CiCi’s lumbar spine. An MRI would give the degree of her condition. This procedure comes with a hefty price tag of $5,000.

Heartbroken and financially strained, I had to make a gut-wrenching decision. At the cost of $7,000 the surgery, the best chance at CiCi's recovery, was simply beyond my means. So, I chose the path of conservative care, hoping against hope that it will be enough to save her. 

It was a gut-wrenching decision to make, knowing that my financial constraints might limit my ability to provide CiCi with the care she desperately needs.

The road ahead is daunting. Strict cage rest, extensive pain management, and the daily struggle of manually expressing CiCi's bladder lay before me. As CiCi regains movement in her back legs, she will need extensive physical therapy to regain her strength. 

The financial burden weighs heavily on my shoulders. Already, I've poured nearly $3,000 into CiCi's treatment, with no end in sight.

As many of you know, in 2017, after years of caregiving, I lost my husband, my world crumbled around me. Within that year CiCi entered my life, a beacon of light in my darkest days. Her unwavering love and quiet presence filled the void in my heart, bringing joy back into my life. CiCi isn’t just a dog; she’s my solace in times of despair, in short, she’s my WORLD.

Now, it's my turn to be there for her. If you can spare anything to help with CiCi's medical expenses, whether it's for ongoing care or the surgery she desperately needs, it would mean the world to me. 

Together, let's give CiCi the fighting chance she deserves.

Thank you for your kindness and support,

Jan & CiCi