We thank you in advance for taking the time to read our story. We are kindly asking for donations to offset some of the medical expenses incurred while trying desperately to save the life of our once healthy, rambunctious, two-year-old German Shepherd, Louie. He was recently diagnosed with a rare and invasive spinal infection but the diagnosis and treatment plan continues to evolve rapidly while accumulating a large debt.

His owner, Joel, is just a young man starting out his life and is broken-hearted at the thought of losing his best friend. As his family, it is incredibly difficult to stand by and watch helplessly, so we are hoping to, at the very least, help alleviate some of the financial burden.

Up until the beginning of March, Louie was your average, sweet, playful, healthy puppy, enjoying life to the fullest. But around that time, Joel had started to notice Louie making occasional little whimpers when moving around the house. Initially, Joel did not think much of it, but he quickly became concerned as the incidents became more frequent, and Louie seemed to be getting more and more uncomfortable.

The first few visits to the vet did not set off any major alarm bells, but Louie’s health continued to decline, so back to the vet’s office, they went. This time the vet decided to x-ray Louie, expecting to find an injury, infection or worst-case scenario, early onset hip dysplasia, and sent him home with anti-inflammatory and pain medications while awaiting the results.  Unfortunately, Louie continued to decline over the following days. He began having frequent accidents in the house and stopped showing interest in his favourite foods. He also began having a great deal of difficulty co-ordinating his hind legs and suddenly needed assistance when walking which Joel initially attributed it to his new medications. However, later that evening, Joel got the devastating news that no dog dad, yet alone one of a puppy, ever wants to receive - the cause of these bizarre new symptoms.

The x-ray revealed that Louie had a rare, life-threatening infection of the spinal column, called Discospondylitis. From there Louie was referred to a specialist for a diagnostic MRI and started on his first experimental treatment plan which included a $600/month antibiotic. If successful, he would be required to stay on it anywhere from a few months to years, as it is exceedingly difficult to treat.

After leaving the specialist’s office that day, the vet bill had already accumulated to just over $6,000 with no guarantee of success, and even though Joel was not able to work while Louie required round the clock care, he knew he had to try everything in his power to try and save his baby - no matter the cost. Louie was counting on him.

Sadly, the initial antibiotic was of no benefit, and Louie continued to decline. The next trial of antibiotics the vet prescribed was a 10-day treatment plan, and very potent. We all rallied around Joel and Louie, trying to stay optimistic, but the 10 days came and went with no improvement, leaving the next and possibly final step, surgery.

Louie was scheduled for a second MRI and spinal surgery on April 28, which would have provided much needed relief to his spine, and a biopsy sample to help his care team establish a more targeted treatment plan. However, April 25, Louie began having involuntary eye an head movements while his co-ordination further declined. On April 26, his specialist decided to postpone the surgery. They are no longer confident with their original diagnosis and will now be preforming a spinal tap and MRI of his neck and brain, leaving us with more questions, than answers. While Louie’s condition continues to grow dire, so does the vet bill as it approaches the $10,000 mark, not including surgeries, additional treatment plans, or even a concrete diagnosis at this point.

We are Joel’s family members and feel incredibly helpless and heartbroken, so we are reaching out on this platform. By donating to this cause, you are ensuring that Joel can continue getting Louie the care he desperately needs to heal from this mystery illness. Please won’t you help us give our precious puppy, Louie a fighting chance to live out the full and happy life he was meant to? No donation is too small and would be greatly appreciated. From the bottom of all our hearts, thank you.