Save Maddy's Life
Donation protected
I need to raise €3000 for a stent that will save my labrador’s life.
Seven weeks ago Maddy got diagnosed with a rare tumour in the neck of her bladder. It prevented her from being able to wee and was causing her immense pain. The vets told me she had days to live, but Maddy had other plans.
A temporary catheter was fitted so she could live her last few days free of pain. I spoilt her rotten and swore to her I would not leave her side until it was over. But every day she gets stronger, thriving on all her treats and attention. Because the catheter means that her bladder can be regularly emptied, she is completely out of pain. Apart from the blockage at her urethra she is in perfect health and runs around the park every day, eats her body weight in food and is generally as cheeky and fun-loving as possible.
However, the catheter is only meant for temporary use, it leaves her in danger of infection and requires full-time care as it needs to be emptied regularly by me with a syringe. It also means that she needs to undergo general anesthetic every few weeks to replace it. Not that she has ever complained – she is the perfect patient. But there is a medical implement that can save her life. A stent is a permanent solution and a far better alternative to a flimsy and risky catheter. Once fitted it would allow her to be surgery and tube-free, and to wee by herself again, which would allow her the quality of life she deserves.
The problem is that the stent needs to be custom ordered from the US, can only be fitted by the Vet Hospital at UCD and the cost is €3000. It also needs to be fitted as soon as possible.
Anyone that has met Maddy knows that she is the embodiment of pure joy. She has boundless energy, immeasurable curiosity and is full to the brim with love.
She is brave and kind and too clever for her own good. She is headstrong and loving and profoundly loyal. She loves food more than anything else. She is my best friend and we have spent nearly twelve years together. She has seen me through times in my life so painful that no human could help. She transformed her little sister Bug from a cowering, skeletal and beaten rescue dog in to a brave and funny and joyous little soul, and I give Maddy full credit for that.
She is perfection, actually, and the thought of her not being with me every day is too harrowing to think about. The thought of losing an otherwise healthy dog to a rare condition that prevents her from weeing is unconscionable.
I find it very hard to ask for help, but I am her Mummy and no amount of pride will get in the way of my doing everything I possibly can to save her life. She is the centre of my world, and if you can help me raise the money for her procedure I would be eternally and profoundly grateful.
*Please note: I won't be handling campaign funds myself, but my close friend Sheamus will be handling the payment of the vets from campaign funds.
Seven weeks ago Maddy got diagnosed with a rare tumour in the neck of her bladder. It prevented her from being able to wee and was causing her immense pain. The vets told me she had days to live, but Maddy had other plans.
A temporary catheter was fitted so she could live her last few days free of pain. I spoilt her rotten and swore to her I would not leave her side until it was over. But every day she gets stronger, thriving on all her treats and attention. Because the catheter means that her bladder can be regularly emptied, she is completely out of pain. Apart from the blockage at her urethra she is in perfect health and runs around the park every day, eats her body weight in food and is generally as cheeky and fun-loving as possible.
However, the catheter is only meant for temporary use, it leaves her in danger of infection and requires full-time care as it needs to be emptied regularly by me with a syringe. It also means that she needs to undergo general anesthetic every few weeks to replace it. Not that she has ever complained – she is the perfect patient. But there is a medical implement that can save her life. A stent is a permanent solution and a far better alternative to a flimsy and risky catheter. Once fitted it would allow her to be surgery and tube-free, and to wee by herself again, which would allow her the quality of life she deserves.
The problem is that the stent needs to be custom ordered from the US, can only be fitted by the Vet Hospital at UCD and the cost is €3000. It also needs to be fitted as soon as possible.
Anyone that has met Maddy knows that she is the embodiment of pure joy. She has boundless energy, immeasurable curiosity and is full to the brim with love.
She is brave and kind and too clever for her own good. She is headstrong and loving and profoundly loyal. She loves food more than anything else. She is my best friend and we have spent nearly twelve years together. She has seen me through times in my life so painful that no human could help. She transformed her little sister Bug from a cowering, skeletal and beaten rescue dog in to a brave and funny and joyous little soul, and I give Maddy full credit for that.
She is perfection, actually, and the thought of her not being with me every day is too harrowing to think about. The thought of losing an otherwise healthy dog to a rare condition that prevents her from weeing is unconscionable.
I find it very hard to ask for help, but I am her Mummy and no amount of pride will get in the way of my doing everything I possibly can to save her life. She is the centre of my world, and if you can help me raise the money for her procedure I would be eternally and profoundly grateful.
*Please note: I won't be handling campaign funds myself, but my close friend Sheamus will be handling the payment of the vets from campaign funds.
Organizer and beneficiary
Kate Packwood
Organizer
Sheamus Sweeney
Beneficiary
