Mavis' Christmas Miracle
Mavis the Rescue Bulldog Puppy needs Spinal Surgery...
Mavis was born by Caesarian Section in the middle of the night at the Veterinary practice where we work in late August 2020. By 4 weeks it was clear Mavis had
some serious medical issues. Her breeder explained to us that her walking was
not normal, and she was not able to control her wee or poo. Whilst all the other
puppies were playing with each other she was quieter and wasn't as mobile.
By 6 weeks of age there was talk of putting Mavis to sleep.
She couldn't poo on her own and needed daily physio to get it all 'moving'. She was also getting bigger every day making it more and more difficult and
uncomfortable to help her poo. Her bottom was getting sore and she was dripping urine continuously.
But she was still SO happy....
and was still trying SO hard to be a normal puppy.....
So we just couldn't do it.... 
Mavis had no where to go, and the owner had no finances to fund the treatment
she needed....so she was signed over to us at the practice and to her
foster home with Jemma our trainee veterinary nurse.
Two weeks ago - once Mavis was big enough - we started investigating her
condition. She has had cystocentesis, lots of blood and urine lab tests and Intravenous Urography to see if her urinary tract is plumbed correctly (it is....).
She also had a series of spinal x-rays.
Our tests have ruled out a lot of conditions which means that at this point it looks like Mavis' issue is almost certainly a spinal one....
She has hemi-vertebrae (split spinal bones) that may be pressing on part of her spinal cord preventing her brain and back end communicating properly. Her spine is unstable, and her condition could suddenly worsen as she grows with more weight and pressure on her damaged spine. Mavis could find herself paralysed before she is even fully grown....
Jemmy is trying to let Mavis live the life of a normal puppy as much as possible, but she is still dually incontinent. She wears a nappy so that she can have some freedom around the house, but she needs time without her nappy to prevent her bottom getting sore so she sometimes needs several baths a day.
We know now that we have reached the limit of what we can do in our little independent country practice.
Lots of people have said that they would have put this puppy to sleep.... but Jemma and I just can't look this puppy in the eye and give her a lethal injection - it is just too sad.
Mavis has no idea she is broken. She thinks she is 'normal'.... so now we need to help her to achieve her dream....
What Does Mavis Need?
Mavis needs to visit a Referral Neurology centre for an MRI scan to diagnose her condition and to determine if there is a surgical option that will allow Mavis to
have a long and normal life.... Referral consult and MRI has been
estimated at £3000-£4000.
We are eternally grateful to anyone who feels that they can help us to save little Mavis. If you aren't able to contribute anything yourself, you can still help Mavis
by sharing to other friends that you think might be able to... can we make Mavis a Celebrity?!
We know that everyone is having a challenging time right now, but Mavis is
holding out hope that enough people feel the same way we did and might be able to spare a few pounds to help us create a Mini-Miracle for her this Christmas.
