Support Ruger's Crucial Knee Surgery

Hi everyone!

Thank you for checking out this GoFundMe that I have set up for my mom and step-dad (they do not know that I have done this. I would like to make it a surprise for them).

Our dog, Ruger, is a four year old Lab/Rottweiler mix. Anyone that knows him, knows that he is the most gentle, caring, well-mannered pup! He is my brother, Jonathan’s best friend, my mom’s protector, and my step-dads buddy. Unfortunately, he has ruptured his right cruciate ligament just 2 weeks after his surgery that he had from rupturing his left cruciate ligament. My mom noticed Ruger limping and took him to our local vet where they wrongfully diagnosed him. He was being treated for hip dysplasia, but once my mom realized something else was wrong she took him to VCA Metzger’s in State College for a second opinion. Ruger was seen by the orthopedic surgeon where we were told he would need TPLO (Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy) surgery. This surgery involves surgically reconfiguring Ruger’s knee to stabilize the joint and reduce pain. They insert a metal plate w/ 6 to 9 bone screws to hold his knee in place. It takes approximately 3-6 months for Ruger to be fully healed. He needs to be leash walked, and has to utilize a sling to help hoist him up (this is not an easy task, being that he weighs 100 pounds). He will go to his first 6 week check-up on May 27th to get an x-ray done to make sure the initial surgery went well. During this visit, as long as everything has healed properly, the second surgery will be planned so Ruger does not have to endure anymore pain and discomfort. He is currently having a very hard time walking as he doesn’t want to put any pressure on the recently injured leg, but also being careful of his surgery leg. He takes frequent “resting” breaks outside because he just doesn’t want to walk. The cost of this surgery is $6,000 (this includes everything from his pain meds, 2-week follow-up, 6-week follow-up, blood-work, lick-sleeve, sling/harness, joint supplements, etc.). So, you can imagine that just a few short weeks ago, they paid $6,000 for the surgery on his left leg, to find out that they will need to pay ANOTHER $6,000 for his right leg. There is no payment plan offered for this surgery. Everything must be paid on surgery day.

I know that times are tough for everyone, but I am asking that if you have anything that you can donate, I would greatly appreciate it, and I know they would too. They would NEVER ask for help, and would do anything they could for Ruger. I’m just trying to do what I can to help ease the stress that comes with all of this, not only financially, but emotionally as well!