This story is devastating, not just for my family, but for our 14 week old Yorkie Mateo, hence why we’re asking for help.

Mateo was born with a cardiac murmur, unlike innocent murmurs that puppies can grow out of, Mateo’s is congenital and will require cardiac surgery to repair.

Until Saturday 10/03/2026, he was a normal puppy with a murmur. This past weekend I began noticing a vast change in his energy level. He was uninterested in play and was sleeping a lot more. His breathing also increased. On Sunday I decided to take him to UrgentVet, and the DMV took his vitals and noted a very elevated heart rate. She immediately referred us to Tuft Hospital in North Grofton, Ma. Upon arrival Mateo was pretty normal, elevated heart rate, but alert and stable. Over the course of the night, and more testing, it was revealed that he would need hospitalization and immediate cardiac evaluation and EKG Monday morning, with the high probability of cardiac surgery which can range from $6k-$8k. His heart murmur is much more advanced and progressive than initially presumed by our vet last Wednesday at our first wellness visit. This event is a huge shock and financial burden. Our family just lost our beloved 12 year old Yorkie Jadan, a mere 4 weeks ago.

We purchased pet insurance when we adopted Mateo from a rescue out of Arkansas, but the waiting period is far too long for Mateo to wait. Mateo deserves a chance at a life. To be a dog. To be loved. And as a family, we need Mateo as he was beginning to heal our hearts from the loss of Jadan.

Please consider any donation, big or small, it all makes a difference. Mateo needs this, but even more so, our family needs Mateo.