Hi all,

I am Azra and I am fundraising for my sisters Adina and Kristina. Yesterday 08/19/2025, they lost their baby Rue. Anyone that had the privilege of meeting Rue knows she was the sweetest, fun-loving, and good girl.

Rue ultimately lost a long battle due to a complication of IVDD. Intervertebral Disc Disease is a condition that affects the spinal cord in dogs, where the discs between the vertebrae degenerate and can cause severe pain, nerve damage, or even paralysis. In Frenchies, it’s due to their genetics and anatomy. 

Rue first hurt her thoracic spine at 5 1/2 years old in early February. An ER visit and 8 weeks of bed rest got her up and running until she reinjured the same area even worse in April. This time taking multiple visits to the ER, an animal hospital, and neurologist to get her pain and injury under control. That injury needed 3 months bed rest and 6 weeks of acupuncture. Just this past Saturday at Rue’s last acupuncture appointment, her vet said she didn’t need to come back for at least a month because she was doing so well, was back to herself, and can soon come off all her medication. The past few weeks Rue was finally a dog again, she was able to play with her toys for the first time in 6 months and got her spark back for just one more week.

The following Saturday evening 8/16 Rue was again showing signs of pain and refusing to walk or even stand, collapsing whenever she tried. The vet said it’s not her back this time, and thought she may have a soft tissue injury in her hip. She prescribed medication and sent them home. Shortly after the appointment, Rue screamed relentlessly in pain and was rushed to the ER. They gave her methadone and steroids to get her recovery started before being sent home for more bed rest and medication. They were informed the pain was not coming from her hip but the lower lumbar spine in a different disc. The following morning brought harrowing screams of pain and was again rushed to the ER, only to be sent to another ER hospital with a neurology team. Rue was admitted to the ICU at 1pm Monday for IV pain control and steroids until she could be seen the following morning by the neurologist. The first update came at 10pm Monday night to say Rues pain was being managed well, and they would not hear back from anyone until the morning when neurology reviews her case. But a phone call 2 hours later came to say Rue was now paralyzed in her hind legs and will likely need an MRI and surgery. Sparing no expense, they opted to get Rue the care she needs. The neurologist called Tuesday morning when her MRI showed multiple changes in the spine and developed a rare complication called Myelomalacia. This is a fatal condition where the spinal cord softens due to a lack of blood supply. This softening quickly progresses up the spinal cord, causing full paralysis and ultimately leading to respiratory failure. Rue deteriorated quickly and paralysis continued up her body and the decision was made to let Rue rest peacefully and she was surrounded by her two loving moms when she took her last breath.

Any of you that know Adina and Kristina can only imagine the pain they are feeling with grief, but they are also now left with astronomical vet bills. This loss adds to an already heavy season, as they’ve been facing the financial and emotional toll of multiple IVF rounds and losses.

Any amount that people can spare and help them in paying some of the vet bills off would be extremely appreciated. Thank you for your time and help!

Any funds raised will be used for the following outstanding medical bills:

MRI: $5400

ICU (oxygen, IV pain control, neurology consult): $6700

ER and Medication: $2000

Euthanasia/Cremation: $850

Love,

Azra