Please help us save Esme

Hi Everyone,

We really never thought we would have to make one of these. We have tried every finance option possible, including remortgaging our property. We will do anything for our fur babies.

We are Sarah and Chloe and live in the West Midlands in the UK with our Son Atlas and our three fur babies, Eli, Esme and Hugo. Dogs are everything to us and if you know us you will know our dogs are our world, our babies.

Esme came into our life 9 years ago with her twin brother Eli. She is our only daughter and a precious princess. She took Hugo (our rescue Pomeranian) under her wing and helped to heal his anxiety. She is the most soft, gentle loving Chihuahua and has been through everything with us. Her bond with her brothers is unmatched. She is our Son’s bestfriend.

In June 2021 Esme was referred to a specialist vet in Swindon for a swollen mandible. She had been on various courses of antibiotics with no change to the swelling. X-rays showed a lower jaw tumour and an impacted large lower canine tooth that had not erupted. She underwent further CT scans and specialist surgery to remove 3 lower teeth and biopsy the tumour. This caused a fracture to the lower jaw which had to be wired. Thankfully, the biopsy came back as non malignant. This cost in excess of £7,000 but was mostly covered by her insurance. She appeared to make a good recovery and was back to her loving self within 6 weeks.

In September 2024, the growth reappeared. She started struggling to eat and was clearly in pain. We took her to see the vet and was advised this was a tumour, she was given antibiotics for a possible infection and pain relief. During the consultation the vet discovered a heart murmur, so further tests were booked. An echocardiogram and ECG confirmed our fears and she was diagnosed with a grade 4 heart murmur. Luckily she currently doesn’t require any medication for this condition, but is being monitored and has to have 6 monthly echocardiogram’s and ECG’s, which the insurance doesn’t cover and costs in excess of £700 each time.

Following on with the growth on the jaw the antibiotics failed to work. Our vet said she requires a biopsy but has been reluctant to do anything more invasive due to the previous trauma and wiring she has. She has been re-referred to Swindon dental specialist where she will undergo a CT scan, biopsy and further surgery to remove the wiring and reconstruct her jaw. We have been advised this is a very complicated and complex procedure that comes with risks and the possibility of a madibulectomy. Which would mean a partial resection of her mandible (removing the right side of her lower jaw).

After contacting our insurance thinking Esme had the best cover. Please always check the small print! Esme is no longer covered with any ‘dental’ procedures. Meaning we have to find in excess of £10,000 for all of the above.

Further to all the above, Esme began limping on her back hind legs the beginning of this year and has been diagnosed with grade 3 patella luxation. She needs surgery on both hind legs which is £4,750 per leg, a total of £9,500. Which yet again, her insurance doesn’t cover.

Overall, Esme’s treatment will be in excess of £20,000.

Where does that leave us?

Right now Esme is on Metacam and Paracetamol until we can fund the treatment. She is currently on bed rest and is being monitored closely for any signs of infection.

We will share all the bills, receipts and updates throughout this process, so you can see exactly where the money goes.

Please, if you can, help in any way. Even if you share this page with friends and family, and dog lovers alike. We would be eternally grateful. Your support really does mean everything, thank you for helping us give Esme the treatment she needs to live the life she deserves.