Rusev's Addison's Disease ER Care (vet bills)
Donation protected
So I have some bad news. This has been a terribly rough week for Rusev, and I've had to take him to the emergency room twice in 5 days. He had stopped eating and drinking, was lethargic and depressed, vomiting, and had other sickness. His body was essentially shutting down on Saturday, so I took him to the emergency clinic at midnight. He stayed overnight and through the next day at the clinic on fluids, getting tested and taking medicine to get him stable.
The doctor concluded that he had Addison's Disease, which affects his adrenal glands around his kidneys. It is genetic, uncommon, and can be triggered by stress in dogs around 4 to 5 years old (Rusev is 4 1/2). It's a very complicated disease dealing with hormones and cortisol and all kinds of things that the body need to function.
Now that he has this disease, he requires lifelong treatment. He will need a steroid pill everyday for the rest of his life to avoid having another crisis, as well as a monthly injection. His emergency medical bills alone are over $2000 at this point and his now monthly medications could cost me anywhere from $200 to $300 a month (not including future electrolyte testing and blood work).
This is truly earth shattering for me. I love this dog so much, but this could not have come at a worse time in my life, as I am still unemployed and looking for work. Thankfully, I have the best family and friends in the world, and the best brother and sister in law I could ever hope for, as Tim and Clair have already offered significant help and I cannot thank them enough.
I am bad at asking for help. I always feel like a mooch or rude or whatever else, because I hate feeling in debt, I don't want people to think I'm annoying or needy or selfish, and I want to be able to take care of myself. I know people have their own problems, everyone is struggling, I am not special, but I also realize that this will take a toll on me (it already has emotionally) and I think I'm in denial about that. Or at least trying to be and not think about the future.
So, that's why I started this GoFundMe for my beloved Rusev. He is such a good dog, ask anyone who has ever met him and they will tell you what a sweetheart he is. I'm going to put a number up there, and by no means do I expect to reach it, but anything you can donate will mean so much to me, and help so much. If you read this far, thank you for caring, and I'm sure I'll post more updates when I know more. Rusev isn't great right now, but he's okay. And hopefully with more treatment we can get back to normal.. Thank you all. <3
The doctor concluded that he had Addison's Disease, which affects his adrenal glands around his kidneys. It is genetic, uncommon, and can be triggered by stress in dogs around 4 to 5 years old (Rusev is 4 1/2). It's a very complicated disease dealing with hormones and cortisol and all kinds of things that the body need to function.
Now that he has this disease, he requires lifelong treatment. He will need a steroid pill everyday for the rest of his life to avoid having another crisis, as well as a monthly injection. His emergency medical bills alone are over $2000 at this point and his now monthly medications could cost me anywhere from $200 to $300 a month (not including future electrolyte testing and blood work).
This is truly earth shattering for me. I love this dog so much, but this could not have come at a worse time in my life, as I am still unemployed and looking for work. Thankfully, I have the best family and friends in the world, and the best brother and sister in law I could ever hope for, as Tim and Clair have already offered significant help and I cannot thank them enough.
I am bad at asking for help. I always feel like a mooch or rude or whatever else, because I hate feeling in debt, I don't want people to think I'm annoying or needy or selfish, and I want to be able to take care of myself. I know people have their own problems, everyone is struggling, I am not special, but I also realize that this will take a toll on me (it already has emotionally) and I think I'm in denial about that. Or at least trying to be and not think about the future.
So, that's why I started this GoFundMe for my beloved Rusev. He is such a good dog, ask anyone who has ever met him and they will tell you what a sweetheart he is. I'm going to put a number up there, and by no means do I expect to reach it, but anything you can donate will mean so much to me, and help so much. If you read this far, thank you for caring, and I'm sure I'll post more updates when I know more. Rusev isn't great right now, but he's okay. And hopefully with more treatment we can get back to normal.. Thank you all. <3
Organizer
Elisabeth Ivey
Organizer
Lakewood, OH