Rufus’ Medical Care

Liz Wagner is organizing this fundraiser.

I am usually not one to ask for help (because I am extremely stubborn, ask my parents haha), but my friends and family have pushed me to make this go fund me in hopes of getting Rufus an MRI to evaluate his seizures.

Ruf’s story follows:

I adopted Rufus last January in 2021. He was found in Louisiana behind an abandoned church. He was in a hoarding situation and found extremely malnourished with no hair. His previous adopter had him for a week. He had one seizure so he was returned. Nobody put in any applications for him because he now had a history of seizures. I met him at an event, and the rescue told me he “chose” me because I’m the only person he had been comfortable enough with to lay on At the time of adoption, he was only on one medication and his seizures were controlled. He started having seizures regularly about two months after I got him. He also had extreme general and separation anxiety. He has come SO far with his anxiety, but seizure episodes/short seizures still persist.

Many of my friends know he has seizures, but some might know the extent of them and the care that comes with it. He typically has episodes daily, but sometimes we’re lucky if he has them 2 days apart!! He has been hospitalized three times and has had multiple visits to not only his primary vet, but numerous neurologist visits. All of these visits unfortunately come with a price. The hospital visits were about $10k total, and each neurology visit is $300 to walk in the door. He is also on 6 medications (10 pills‍‍ ‍) twice a day, and two rescue medications (in case his seizures don’t break) which is about $400 a month. He is also on a neuroscience special diet which is about $150 per bag a month. The neurologist, primary vet, and I are stumped as to why he continues to have these seizure episodes. They can’t say for sure that it’s not a tumor, but they also are unsure why it is so uncontrolled, even though I am keeping up diligently with his care, medication, and follow-ups.

The next step that has been recommended is an MRI and spinal tap - to rule out inflammation vs tumor vs idiopathic epilepsy (which is what we are currently treating for.) I was very apprehensive to do this because 1) the cost and 2) what it might show. However, I would like to know if there is anything structurally wrong in order to treat it. If it doesn’t show anything significant, then it just means we need to be more aggressive with his treatment of idiopathic seizures and hope for the best. I just want to give my Rufus the best life possible.

I am hoping to raise some money towards Rufus’ MRI (since I’m still recovering financially from his previous medical bills) as a last option to find some answers. He doesn’t qualify for pet insurance since he has a pre-existing condition- but I didn’t know it would get to be this extreme of a case. An MRI has been estimated to be $4-5k.

I love Rufus with all my heart and more, but it has taken a huge toll on me and I am only now admitting it since I’m essentially at my breaking point. Communicating almost daily with my primary vet and the neurologist is exhausting and feels rather defeating. I am hoping that this MRI will give some clarity and insight into Rufus’ health so he can be happy and healthy (and I can have some of my sanity back )

If you have read this novel, I appreciate you so much. Super thankful for my friends and family who have been THROUGH it with me and Ruf.

If you’re not able to donate, any words of encouragement (or pics of your doggos) are also appreciated.

Thank you for reading Rufus’ story

*pics of my sweet boy attached*