- R
- P
Roxy, my service dog and inseparable companion for the last 3 years, is in crisis; and I’m humbly asking for your help to get her the medical treatment she needs.
tl;dr (summary)
In February, Roxy suffered a truly horrific attack by three dogs — trapped inside the elevator in my building — her screaming was the worst sound I’ve ever heard.
It took two surgeries and procedure to repair the physical damage (or so I thought). But neither of us was prepared for the full impact the trauma and stress from the event would have on her.
Months after the attack, I could see her endurance and stamina had not returned to previous levels. While I expected some degree of anxiety, I was not prepared for the drastic change in appetite, periods with complete lack of energy, chronic diarrhea and more. I suspected an infection, but something was obviously very wrong.
After more exams (plural), Roxy was diagnosed with Addison’s Disease — a disorder where the adrenal glands don’t produce enough essential hormones responsible for blood sugar levels, blood pressure, electrolyte balance, her body’s response to stress and more. All of this can be (and I’m convinced was) triggered by a traumatic, stressful event.
Additionally (as if that weren’t enough), Roxy was found to have advanced hip dysplasia. So on top of the necessary medical treatment for the Addison’s, she’s going to need more X-rays and sedation to determine (and treat) the extent of the damage.
I’m asking for help because I’m struggling with all the vet bills just to get her the care that she needs. Living on a fixed (disability) income, I’ve been forced to forego paying rent last month and this just to pay for the exams and what care she’s received. I would be so grateful for any amount you can manage to donate for Roxy’s care.
Long story:
To my friends (and their friends):
I say “we” and “our” a lot.
If you know me, you know I am referring to my service dog Roxy and myself. We have spent every day together since I adopted her 3 years ago this month (May). I love this dog more than I can ever say and we need your help.
Roxy was recently diagnosed with Addison’s disease (crash course: aka ‘hypoadrenocorticism, is a hormonal disorder in dogs that occurs when the adrenal glands don’t produce enough essential hormones. These hormones are responsible for several important bodily functions including blood sugar levels, blood pressure, electrolyte balance and the body’s response to stress.’)
We have certainly had a stressful year!
Iin February of this year Roxy was viciously attacked by 3 dogs in the elevator of our building. Honestly, it was an absolute nightmare! We were trapped on the elevator, Roxy screaming is the worst sound I have ever heard. I have no clue how long it lasted but we were both devastated and crying when it was over. She still stands behind me at the corner of the hallway that leads to our apartment when waiting for the elevator.
Roxy had 2 surgeries and 1 procedure to repair the damage. When neither her stamina nor her endurance had returned anywhere close to normal, I took her back to the vet and told them something is wrong, I think there must still be infection or something.
During a very thorough physical exam they discovered Roxy has bad hips which is not terribly common in Huskies, like BAD hips, pretty advanced hip dysplasia for her age (Roxy turned 4 in April), so after this crisis is under control she needs X-rays which requires sedation, etc., and a more thorough examination to determine the exact extent of the damage and what we can do to slow the progression.
I tell you all of that because I believe it is the attack that caused this adrenal crisis to occur, her poor body was unable to handle the stress. Please note this is not the first of these symptoms I have been telling her vets for over a year I was afraid something was wrong her, like WRONG with her.
The symptoms were still vague however so it wasn’t until this attack that the cause of sudden drastic changes in appetite, her complete end total lack of energy, her ‘anxiety’ that I had observed and her subsequent misbehavior, and almost chronic diarrhea was determined.
Roxy goes to the SF SPCA and their staff is simply AMAZING – they are kind and thorough and helpful and knowledgeable. I am so grateful Dr Walker was part of her surgical team and continued on to treat Roxy because she was familiar with the attack – it is Dr Walker who discovered the Addison’s disease and honestly every day that she lived undiagnosed was shortening her life.
Which brings me (us) to you.
My financial picture is that we live on my disability so the bills typically get paid and there is only a little wiggle room. I did not pay rent last month in order to get her tested and the first medications prescribed for her hips and what they thought was a parasitic infection based on preliminary findings. I will forgo paying rent again this month in order for Roxy to get the next piece of her diagnosis and treatment, her ACTH stim test which is expected to run up to $958.00.
Roxy is my girl, my best friend, my everything and I’m asking you to help me give her all the medical treatment she needs to live a long life with as little pain and suffering as possible. Because right now she is suffering.
We used to walk an average of 10+ miles a day, now we do around 4, sometimes 5 because her energy level is so low and maybe the pain? I don’t know. Her appetite? A 40 pound bag of food lasted 5 weeks when I adopted her, now I can’t even begin to tell you how long this bag of food has lasted well over 2 months. She just isn’t eating as much as she should. She doesn’t drink as much water as she used to either.
It’s funny the things you notice when you love your dog so much – I know her habits, her moods, how much she used to play - 1 hour, 3 times a day playing virtually the entire time, now half an hour is a good bet. Maybe 45 minutes A DAY. This illness has already drastically reduced her quality of life which affects us both. I cannot tell you how important Roxy is to me.
It is so very difficult for me to ask people for help, I mean who really likes to, right? But I loathe having to do it but I’m doing it because Roxy needs it. Please help us. Please donate whatever you can, surely you can send $5? $10? $20? A bunch of “a little” equals a lot.
If you know me you know how much I love this dog. If you or someone you know is also a dog lover, please help us. If you honestly can’t afford to send anything, please spend a couple of minutes sending this to people you know who might be interested in our story and able to help.
Any funds you send will be used first for Roxy’s medical care. Any left over funds will be put to our housing. This is the beginning of a long road for us. She will need hormone replacement therapy and medication/treatment for her hips on an ongoing basis. They want you to set a fund raising goal so I guess like $2000 would be wonderful – this will hopefully cover her stim test, hip X-rays, and the amount of rent I spent last month for her vet bills ($600).
From the bottom of my heart, thank you.
Robert
Organizer
