My Dog Kiko's Medical Fund: Arthritis and Hip Injury

My name is Jacqueline, and I’m raising money—not for what many would simply call a pet—but for the soul I call my son. His name is Kiko, a Siberian Husky who just turned five years old. He was also recently diagnosed with arthritis due to his past history. Kiko was never given an easy start. At just 7 months old, while under the care of his previous owner, a car hood fell on him. A few months later, he was the victim of a hit-and-run. He was barely a baby, and already the world had taught him pain. After that, I took him under my care and promised I’d help him live the best life ever. Up until recently, Kiko thrived. Despite his battle scars, he smiled with his eyes, ran crooked but proudly, and found joy in things like hot dogs, belly rubs, and walks. Although the vet had warned me that he’d be a normal puppy until he gets older, which he will then feel more pain and need surgery, I initially thought we had more time. I wouldn't have imagined it would be this soon. He had just come in from his evening walk, and hours later, he was in the living room with us when we heard a yelp. At first, we thought he was just whining for attention, so we gave him some extra belly rubs. Not even 10 minutes later, he did it again, but it got worse at night when we went to bed. Kiko would fall asleep, but then wake up crying during the night. The ERs near us gave us a wait time of 4 hours, and I had work at my pet hospital the following morning in the same timeframe, so I decided to wait until I went to work. It was the longest, most helpless night of my life. That night, none of us slept. Kiko would drift off to sleep for moments at a time, only to be startled awake by pain so sharp it made him cry out, and it pierced through my heart every time he let one out. I have seen a plentiful amount of euthanizations at the hospital, and they say it gets easier after a couple of times. It never did for me. Seeing pet owners come in with those clouded eyes, trying to prepare themselves for what is about to come, and the way they try so hard to be strong, for their pet, for themselves. I swear the pet also knows because I see it in their eyes, the way they look at their parents. Sometimes, they’re in the room for an hour. Sometimes, hours and hours. While they’re in there grieving over their loss of their beloved one(s), I know I shouldn’t, but I can't help but imagine myself in there with Kiko. He’s lying on the cold floor as I hug him, whispering to him that I’m sorry over and over and over, not wanting to let him go. He has been on Trazodone and Gabapentin to help him relax a bit since we have not been able to take him out on his usual 5-mile walks, as well as Rimadyl to reduce his pain and inflammation. Although he doesn’t yelp anymore, he does whine often due to the discomfort and inability to resume his daily routine. He still doesn't put weight on his right hind leg and limps even on a 5-minute walk. He cannot keep his balance if he uses his right leg to stand on the ground as he urinates. He gets sad and frustrated with his pent-up energy throughout the day. He now hesitates to jump onto our bed and couch, as well as to use the stairs. We used to go on hikes, camping trips, take him swimming, and to dog parks, amongst many other things. He can’t even go visit his husky girlfriend, Skye, to play with. As a first-time pet parent, I didn't understand the importance of pet insurance and realized too late that most don't accept pre-existing conditions. I’ve done my research for weeks now and don’t think any would be beneficial right now for him, as they all rejected coverage of his condition. We just completed our consultation with an orthopedic doctor and our first physical therapy session today, along with being prescribed more medications and injections for his arthritis. We’re also starting with 5-minute walks only, as we all know, which can be very frustrating for a husky. The physical therapy and prescription injections are the start of a hopefully successful treatment plan. If that does not help him recover and go back to living his normal lifestyle, a total hip replacement surgery or femoral head and neck ostectomy will be the next and last option. Thus, I humbly request any financial assistance possible to aid in his treatment. If you’ve read this far, thank you. Every cent will go directly into Kiko’s medical fund for the future. Every share, every word of support, every dollar—it all means more than I can put into words. Kiko is not just a dog. He is my soulmate, the love of my life, and the light to my world. He is my family, my home, and the reason I get up each day with purpose in life. I just want him to live out his life the best he can without any pain or difficulties until he goes over the rainbow due to his old age and natural causes.

Current Medical Expenses

Consultation: $253.00

Monthly Cost (before possibly needing surgery and a long-term hip brace)

Rimadyl: $51.46

Welactin Advanced 3TA bottle: $56.74

Adequan Canine Inj bottle: $283.82

4 sessions of physical rehabilitation: $583.00

Monthly Total: $975.02