Clementine is a 5-year-old, deaf, Australian Shepherd.

On 12/19, she was seen by the vet for screaming out in pain and being uncomfortable. She has a history of pancreatitis, so it was assumed to be GI pain. Throughout the weekend, despite receiving multiple GI meds, she continued to be in pain, restless, yelping, etc. She went back to the vet because she was becoming lame on her left hind leg, still yelping, lethargic, and just overall not herself. She was loaded up on pain meds to see if she improved, but continued to worsen and become weaker and more lethargic.

Clementine was seen by a neurologist on 12/31, where it was determined that her pain was coming from her lumbosacral area and extending into her hips. An MRI was recommended and was done on 1/7/26.

The MRI showed a left-sided foraminal herniated disc at L6-L7. This is pinching the nerve, causing pain into her hips and already causing muscle wasting in the left leg.

It is recommended with the severity and sudden onset to have spinal surgery. Surgery is estimated at $5500 to $7500, and I’m hoping to raise some of the money to alleviate the burden.

Clementine was a previously active, happy, and silly dog. The changes I’ve seen in her are heartbreaking. This has flipped our life upside down, and even with surgery, much of it will not return to normal. Surgery’s goal is to alleviate pain for her. She will never be able to return to full activity like agility and other high-impact things that she loves.

I just want my girl to feel better and be happy again.

I’ve included the vet report with the estimated cost for anyone interested.

Any money that is raised and not used will go to Keller’s Cause for dogs coming into rescue.