Rally For Rafael

This is Rafael, aka Rafa. In October he started running into things, and would wobble when he walked. I thought he might be losing his sight. Took him to the vet and discovered he had microscopic liver shunts, or Hepatoportal Microvascular Dysplasia. We've been treating him for that, low fat foods, meds, and he seemed to be responding well. THEN he started to have seizures. The vet thought this might be due to ammonia build up from the liver shunt. The seizures got worse and more frequent, until one day he was having them every 30-40 mins. He was taken to the neurologist and he was diagnosed with yorkie specific encephalitis, which in a nutshell, is an auto immune disorder in which the immune system attacks the brain causing brian swelling causing seizures. He's been on meds and is undergoing treatment, but needless to say, over four days, we have incurred a cost of $5,000. His insurance won't cover the cost because it is considered a herediatry condition. Please help us, help Rafa! He needs continued medication and treatment at the neurologist on a regular basis. Please feel free to verify our story by contacting The Veterinary Neurology Center in Tustin. Lots of wet yorkie kisses and tail wags and warm cuddles from Rafa.