Support Cooper's Journey to Recovery

This is terrifying, but I’m trying to surrender to the reality. We could really use any amount of help to continue assisting our recently rescued 7-year-old Cocker Spaniel, Cooper, to recover from a fractured humorous and orthopedic repair surgery.

As much as it costs, there was never a question on whether or not we’d get him the surgery. When I saw Cooper, then Bradley, on Camp Cocker’s Facebook live, he had just been surrendered and was at the vet for a checkup. His human was sick and had to go to assisted living. My heart broke for him, and I immediately showed him to my husband, Mark.. we both knew he was meant to be ours. Not realizing he wasn't even up for adoption yet, I spent 2 hours thoughtfully filling out the rescue application, only for my computer to glitch and have to go fill it out a second time. I just knew he was worth the effort.

We were already planning to fly to San Diego for our anniversary weekend, and Cooper was in L.A. As soon as we knew we were approved adopters, we cancelled our flights and decided to drive down. Sounds crazy for a 4 day weekend, but we just knew he was special and he was ours. We weren’t wrong. Every moment with him since picking him up has proven that he was meant to be with us in his second season of life.

Two weeks after we brought Cooper home, he was sitting in a chair with Mark. As he went to hop down, he landed just right and snapped his humorous. I knew immediately it was broken. It was such a freak accident and the force made no sense to cause such a break, but it was obvious he was in excruciating pain. We rushed him into the vet and got him sedated and xrayed, confirming the break. We immediately got him transferred to OSU Veterinary Small Animal Hospital, and they got him in surgery the very next day.

OSU Vet Hospital advised us that Cooper has IOHC, or Incomplete Ossification of the Humeral Condyle in canines. This means that when he was 8-12 weeks old, his humeral condyle did not fully develop, leaving the joint weaker. Spaniels make up a large representation of canines who have this happen. At least we know why it broke so easily. We’ve checked his other elbow and it doesn’t seem to have the same problem, thankfully. More about this condition here: https://www.veterinary-practice.com/article/incomplete-ossification-of-the-canine-humeral-condyle

We’re currently over $10,000 in vet bills for our boy and counting. He still has X-rays and possibly physical therapy that have not been paid for yet. Everything else is on CareCredit. This doesn’t account for all the supplies, supplements, and medications we’ve had to purchase (crates, crate pads, support harnesses, special joint and ortho supplements, etc).

We had been shopping for pet insurance at the time of the accident, so unfortunately did not have coverage for him yet. Even if we had gotten it the day we brought him home, we would have still been within the waiting period and it would not have been covered. At least I don’t have to beat myself up about waiting too long.

Regardless of money, we will keep doing whatever we have to to help this little guy have the best years of his life ahead, and any little bit helps us accomplish that. I’m not good at asking or accepting help, but I want Cooper to have the best chance at a happy and healthy life with full use of his limb. Thanks to my loved ones who pushed me to take a chance and be vulnerable for his sake.

Every penny will go towards the CareCredit balance, future vet balances for the upcoming x-rays and possibly physical therapy, and to help pay off some of the debt incurred buying equipment for his recovery. Thank you in advance to every person who has expressed the desire to help in any way, shape, or form. Whether it be a kind thought, a penny, or a prayer, we love and appreciate you and our gratitude is endless.

Vet Costs incurred so far (not including supplements, home equipment, etc):

$808.00 - Primary Vet & Initial X-Rays

$8,815.82 - OSU Small Animal Teaching Hospital (Surgery Day)

$812.00 - OSU Small Animal Teaching Hospital (Follow up X-Rays. This is the estimated payment made 5/24/24, actual charges still pending).

Total: $10435.82

Upcoming costs:

1.) 8-week Post-Op Imaging - We're told this is estimated to be $1500-$1800ish depending on what they determine is needed at that phase of his recovery.

2.) Possible Physical Therapy to help him use his limb. No estimate known at this time.