Support Cora's Recovery from Spinal Surgery (IVDD)

Hello, everyone!

I’m Haley, a close friend of Jake and Alexa. I am reaching out to you today because they are currently facing a life-changing situation with their beloved pet, Cora.

On Saturday, December 14, Cora started to act strange. She was uninterested in food and was shaking uncontrollably. Jake decided to take her to the 24-hour emergency vet that night, where they noticed she was reacting to back and stomach pain (unsure of what was causing what). They ran some tests and took an x-ray, but everything looked completely normal. They gave her some medications and fluids that would hopefully help with the pain and sent her home.

Everything seemed fine until it quickly wasn't.

The next morning Cora stumbled out of her crate, unable to walk, and her back legs were completely stiff and immobile. It was extremely scary. She was rushed back to the same emergency vet and within minutes, they were told to get her to a neurologist as soon as possible. Cora's hind legs were rapidly becoming weak, and she couldn't hold herself up anymore.

The drive to the neurologist was the scariest ride of their lives. Cora was quickly seen and the doctor got right on her case, suspecting a slipped disc as the best case scenario. Although she couldn’t stand, she had feeling in her back legs, which was extremely promising. It was determined that she needed an MRI, which required anesthesia due to it being a very invasive process for dogs. During the MRI, they confirmed the massive herniated disc, which was pressing on Cora’s spinal cord making her unable to use her hind legs. They immediately took her in for surgery and also confirmed a diagnosis of IVDD. Thankfully, it was successful and she is currently in recovery.

Life can change in a second. If it wasn’t for Cora getting the immediate help she needed, her chances of a full recovery would’ve rapidly declined.

Alexa and Jake didn’t hesitate when it came to cost as long as Cora could return to her happy, healthy self. If you know Alexa, you know that Cora is her absolute world and best friend. Although Alexa has been paying monthly for pet insurance the last four years, the company is capping their annual limit at $7,500 until October 2025. This is a fraction of what Cora’s medical bills are, as the ER visits, tests, surgery, and care was upwards of $12,000. There are still future payments that need to be made such as specialized physical therapy, pain medication, and cleaning supplies, as Cora cannot currently relieve herself properly.

There is nothing we all want more than for Cora to make a full recovery so she can walk, play, and run again. Alexa and Jake are doing all they can financially, but with Alexa losing her job at the end of September, there is only so much they can afford between rent, health insurance, bills, and more.

Any donation that can be made, big or small, will go directly to covering the expenses of Cora’s recovery. If you cannot donate, please consider sharing this campaign with your friends and family—every penny helps. Please keep Cora in your prayers as she has a long road of recovery ahead. Your support means the world to Alexa and Jake and we truly appreciate your kindness during this challenging time. Together, we can give Cora the best chance for a smooth and full recovery.

Cora thanks you for your generosity and compassion and wishes you and your families a happy holiday season!