Please help us save Willow's life.
Donation protected
Hi everyone, for anyone who doesn't know us, our names are Olivia & Reece. We are reaching out today to ask for your support to help us save our dog's life.
In 2022, we joined a Facebook page for a rescue shelter in Romania called 'New Moon Romanian Dog Rescue' and saw the application to adopt Willow who had been found in a dumpster, as the last surviving pup of her litter. We immediately fell in love with her and on 23rd July 2022, we were finally able to meet Willow and welcome her to our family.
Willow was the most terrified and anxious puppy, who would absolutely lose it over even the sight of a washing basket. However, almost 2 years later, anyone who has met her would agree that she has developed into the most bold, intelligent, and animated dog with the sweetest personality and the biggest heart.
Recently, we have discovered that her big heart is much bigger than we thought - which puts her life at immediate risk. Two weeks ago, Willow collapsed during a walk and the vets identified that she had an abnormally slow heart rate (35 bpm as opposed to the ideal 60-100 bpm). She was referred to a specialist cardiologist where they diagnosed her with atrial standstill and severe heart inflammation - which they were very surprised had not already been fatal.
This diagnosis is a rare cardiac rhythm disease (even more so in young dogs) which causes the absence of electrical and mechanical activity within her heart - meaning it cannot keep up with her activity levels - and if stressed any further, will result in definite cardiac arrest. We are heart broken.
Willow is only 2 years old and is a highly active dog who LOVES to run. She joins me every Saturday morning for parkrun, New Forest runs and was due to participate in an 11K canine cross-country race this weekend - which I am now running alone for her.
We have been given the following options from the cardiologist:
- Have a pacemaker implanted to maintain her heart's rhythm and extend her life for a minimum of 4 years (most likely more) with no impact on her quality of life or ability to remain active. This procedure will cost us £6000.
- Take antibiotics and theophylline to reduce current inflammation and increase her resting heart rate but must remain indoors and cannot be walked/run or interact with other dogs or do any activity that will cause a strain on her heart. They suspect she will live for a year with a high risk of sudden fatality.
- Of course, there is the option of putting her to sleep.
Although we have been given options, we strongly believe there will always only be the one option - the pacemaker. The other two options are basically the same as we would be selfish to keep her alive with no quality of life.
Option 1 unfortunately comes at a price that we are not in a position to afford. We have currently spent ~£3000 on her diagnosis and medication which has partially been covered by her insurance, however we will struggle to afford the pacemaker implant surgery; which the cardioloigst recommends is required urgently.
We are asking that if anyone is able to donate towards the £6000 veterinary bill for this procedure, we would be immensely grateful as anything to cover/reduce this cost would help us keep Willow in our lives.
For anyone who currently or has previously owned a dog, you will understand even more so just how much they mean to you, how much of an impact they have on our lives and just how difficult it would be to lose them - especially prematurely. We love Willow with all our hearts and hope that you can help to mend hers.
Thank you for taking the time to read this, as this was not easy to write nor is it ever easy to have to ask for money.
If anyone would like to see photos of Willow or follow her progress, I will be posting updates on her Instagram page (I know!) - @willowtheromanianrescue.
Gratefully,
Liv, Reece & Willow x
Organizer
Olivia Lin
Organizer
England