Rally for Rusty: Urgent Medical Support Needed

Hey everyone, my name is Christine.

One of my very best friends has been having one hell of a time lately. Amanda moved to Ohio at the beginning of the summer to try to start anew- but some family emergencies brought her back home to help hold down the fort(s). She is currently unemployed, assisting her dad in cleaning his home after some pretty disastrous flooding due to a pipe that had burst, meanwhile, her mom's husband suffered a debilitating stroke. While bouncing back and forth between houses and doing what she can to support her family members in the way she can, her sweet pup began to fall ill.

A trip to the vet revealed that Rust-Oleum J. Bucket (Rusty for short) has advanced kidney disease. We don't know much yet - but anyone who has been to the vet (or the emergency vet) knows how quickly these bills pile up.

As you can imagine, the struggle is especially real after moving back home and being currently unemployed. More tests are needed to see exactly what path is best to take to treat Rusty. Amanda is currently barred from treating her sweet boy due to lack of funds. We're estimating that monthly costs to care for him could be upwards of $500/month, which doesn't account for any of the testing to figure out what route we need to take, or any emergencies along the way. As we get information, we will post updates here.

We're reaching out to our community to help this incredibly caring and thoughtful woman take care of her sweet boy.

A Note from Rusty's Vet:

Meet Rusty, a sweet and loving 8-year-old Chihuahua mix who has been a loyal companion and source of joy for his family. Recently, Rusty’s health has taken a heartbreaking turn—he’s been vomiting, lethargic, and refusing to eat. After a visit to the veterinarian, blood work revealed evidence of advanced kidney disease.

We now know what caused Rusty’s kidneys to stop functioning properly: leptospirosis. Leptospirosis is a potentially deadly infection that can also spread to humans and cause severe organ damage. To save Rusty, we need to act quickly and provide him with the emergency care he deserves.

What Rusty Needs

To give Rusty the best chance at recovery, he needs:

• Hospitalization with IV fluids to support his kidneys and flush out toxins.

• Symptomatic care to manage his nausea, weakness, and other symptoms.

• An ultrasound to investigate the cause of his kidney failure and guide treatment.

The cost of these emergency services is overwhelming for his family, but Rusty deserves a fighting chance. His kind spirit and loyalty have brought so much love to his family, and we can’t imagine life without him.

How You Can Help

We’re asking for your support to cover Rusty’s medical expenses. Every dollar counts and will go directly toward his care. If you’re unable to donate, please consider sharing Rusty’s story to help us reach others who might be able to contribute.

Rusty is a fighter, but he can’t do this alone. With your help, we can get him the treatment he needs and bring him back home to the family who loves him.

Thank you for your kindness and generosity.