I could use some help with this one.

Buddy (my best friend & roommate) is scheduled to have surgery on August 18 in Tucson, Arizona. He has had chronic ear infections since he was 6 months old; he is now 5 1/2. I have, over the years, spent thousands of dollars on allergy meds, antibiotics, Apoquel, Cytopoint injections, and ear cleaning solutions - all of which have turned out to be short-term solutions. Over time, the ear canals have calcified and are almost closed. Our last resort is bilateral (both ears) TECA surgery (Total Ear Canal Ablation surgery). If you Google “TECA surgery for dogs” you’ll get more information than you probably want. I have had 5 different veterinarians tell me that this is really his only option at this point. Untreated, it can lead to sepsis. It’s a rather delicate surgery because of facial nerves in close proximity. Because of this, I have spent considerable time researching board-certified veterinarian surgeons with experience in TECA surgery and have settled on Southwest Veterinary Surgical Services in Tucson. It’s about 3 hours from where we live.

Buddy has had his CT scan here in New Mexico and that information has been forwarded to Tucson. The estimate I have been given over the phone is $5800 to $6800 for both ears. I will not have a final amount until the surgeon physically examines him the morning of the surgery.

As my current income is a monthly Social Security check, this is going to be quite a financial hit. Those of you who know me personally also know that I will figure out a way to help my little guy no matter what - come hell or high water. He’s a gentle little spirit that has kept me grounded through the past 5 years. I owe him.

Anything you can contribute to his healing would be most appreciated by both of us.