Message from my brother Dean:

Hi, my name is Dean and I’m fundraising on behalf of our beloved 4 year old Yorkshire Terrier, Dexter.

Just a few days ago, Dexter became critically ill with a condition we had never even heard of: Acute Haemorrhagic Diarrhoea Syndrome (AHDS). It came on suddenly and severely, but thanks to emergency treatment and a plasma transfusion, Dexter is now back home and slowly recovering.

It was terrifying. Within hours, Dexter went from happy and active to vomiting and passing severe, bloody diarrhoea. We rushed him to an emergency vet, where he was immediately admitted and put on IV fluids, antibiotics. However he continued to decline and was only given a 20% chance of surviving. After a long discussion with the incredible vets on night two, we opted for a costly but life-saving plasma transfusion. Dexter spent almost a week in the vets before we were able to bring him home.

Whilst our insurance policy covered the initial £3,000 of costs, the additional cost of his emergency care exceeded £5,000. As such, we’re asking for any support you can offer to help cover Dexter’s treatment but also raise awareness of this illness. Whether you can donate or simply share this page, it means the world to us.

What Is AHDS – And Why Awareness Matters

Acute Haemorrhagic Diarrhoea Syndrome (AHDS) – formerly known as Haemorrhagic Gastroenteritis – is a sudden and serious illness, most often seen in small breed dogs like Dexter. It can strike healthy dogs without warning, causing:

Vets still don’t fully understand the cause. It’s thought to be linked to bacterial infections, stress, or immune system reactions. But what makes it so dangerous is how quickly it escalates. In a matter of hours, dogs can go from normal to critical.

How Plasma Treatment Helped Save Dexter

One of the reasons Dexter survived is because he received a plasma transfusion – something we’d never even heard of before. This treatment replaces essential proteins like albumin, which are lost in huge amounts during AHDS. Plasma helps:

Without this treatment, Dexter might not have made it through the night.

How You Can Help

We’re fundraising to cover the cost of Dexter’s emergency care, and to raise awareness about this condition so other pet owners know how to spot the signs and act fast.

You can help by:

Dexter is still on the road to recovery, but he’s showing signs of improvement thanks to the quick actions of the vet team and the treatments he’s received. We just want to give him the best chance to get back to his happy, tail-wagging self.

Thank you so much for reading, supporting, and sharing. Your kindness truly means the world to our family – and to Dexter.

With love and gratitude, Dean, Rachel, Finley, Skout and Dexter.