This is Ozzy, my 10-week-old working cocker spaniel puppy. He’s full of love and mischief, but sadly, he’s been diagnosed with a life threatening heart condition called patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) which means he requires surgery for survival.

Ozzy’s story

We had recently lost our beloved cocker spaniel, the house felt empty and our lives had been turned upside down. Mikey, our other dog, was especially lonely without his little brother.

Because of our heartbreak, I did a lot of research before bringing Ozzy home, to make sure I found a happy healthy puppy from a reputable breeder. The litter had been health checked, I visited him multiple times prior to brining him home, everything seemed perfect. I had no idea that Ozzy would be facing such a huge battle so soon after bringing him home.

After taking him to a routine check-up with my own vet, a loud heart murmur was discovered - something that hadn’t been mentioned, or detected before, despite the severity. Further testing with a cardiologist confirmed the worst. PDA, a congenital heart defect that can only be corrected through surgery. Despite this being something that should’ve been detected during his health checks prior to being sold, it was unfortunately missed by the vet.

Despite being his usual, playful happy puppy, Ozzy’s heart is working much harder than it should. Without treatment, his condition will shorten his life, meaning we could loose him at any time, if fluid begins to build in his lungs. Sadly, because this is a defect he was born with, his insurance won’t cover the surgery or related care.

How the funds will be spent

Ozzy’s surgery will take place at animal trust, who have provided a clear breakdown of any expected costs:

Ozzy’s surgery is booked for November, as his heart condition is severe, he may require more scans/hospitalisation prior to the surgery, in the unfortunate event he began to deteriorate. As the insurance wouldn’t cover any of these, I have set the goal at £3,500 to make sure all of Ozzy’s medical costs - from his operation to his safe recovery at home - are covered. If there are any funds left over after his care, they’ll go towards future vet checks or be donated to an animal charity that helps support pets with heart conditions.

I’ve done everything I can to find help - speaking to the vet, the breeder, and even exploring serval charities - but no one can cover Ozzy’s surgery. This GoFundMe is my last resort to give him the chance he deserves.

How you can help

Until Ozzy’s surgery, everyday is focused on keeping him happy and calm, to ensure he is in the best condition for his procedure.

Any donation, no matter the size, will help give him the chance of a long, happy life. Even if you cannot donate, sharing this page means the world to us.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read Ozzys story, and helping to give my little boy the healthy future he deserves