Help Nella…Hydrocephalus pup with lifesaving op

My name is Whendiey and together with my wife Shaz and our two small children, we run Small Paws Animal Rescue in Tasmania Australia.

This is the story of little Nella who URGENTLY needs our help right now.

The name Nella is Hebrew and means ‘shining light’

She is 15 weeks old today and she is a pure bred blue English Staffy.

At 8 weeks Nella was surrendered to us by her breeder after vet advice, as she has a condition known as ‘hydrocephalus’

Nella has now had two vet appointments with our vet Dr Scott Rogers and has been on steroids.

She has lost her sight.

Nella is circling frequently.

Dr Rogers suggested a specialist appointment with visiting vet specialist Dr Sam Long.

Dr Sam Long is a European specialist in veterinary neurology practicing at the Centre for Animal Referral and Emergency, in Collingwood, Melbourne.

We had our appointment with Dr Long today when he visited Tasmania on his once a month consultations out of North Hobart Vet Surgery.

Our consult took over an hour as Dr Long and Dr Dana conducted a thorough examination of Nella including shaving a small patch on her head and attaching an ultrasound probe.

In conclusion, Dr Long said there is some good news and some bad news.

The GOOD news is Nella is an absolutely beautiful puppy who he knows he can help live a longer life.

The BAD news is Nella requires an extensive operation to place a shunt into her brain to help drain the fluid build up from her head and relieve the pressure.

The medication is not doing enough.

She has lost her sight.

This operation is going to cost $10 000.00

We need a miracle

There is no guarantee her sight will be restored.

There is no guarantee she will stop spinning and circling.

The operation will however save her life.

The operation should give her normal life expectancy for a staffy which is 12-14 years.

This operation is what Dr Long suggests is what Nella needs at this stage in her life and what is best for her, both short and long term.

We are here for Nella through everything.❤️

We will do whatever it takes for her to have this operation.

Right now we need $10 000.00

We know it is a lot of money but we also know it is achievable. We are trying hard to make plans to fundraise

❤️❤️ We are a strong community of animal lovers.

I have cried many tears this afternoon, but when we walked out of North Hobart Vet Surgery my wife grabbed my hands and looked into my tearful eyes and said gently to me…

‘We’ve got this!’ ❤️

It was the strength I needed ❤️

❤️WE NEED A MIRACLE AND WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT TO ENABLE NELLA TO HAVE THIS OPERATION.

Please help us to help Nella.