The Telemachus Medical Fund

I believe that it takes a special dog to come into your life to remind you every day that love and affection is inherent. In a split second, that same special friend can also help put the possibility of losing them into perspective.

 Telemachus “Tele” Pevsner is my big, beautiful Rottweiler.  This sweet dog helps me through the days simply by giving me unconditional love.  I have severe cerebral palsy with a speech impairment.  My life is very hard and challenging sometimes; at times, I can be very depressed and discouraged.  With his unconditional love, Tele keeps me happy and grounded. 

Out of all the challenging obstacles I have faced throughout my life, this past week has tested my willpower and faith more than any other.  Tele was bitten by a copperhead snake on his hind leg. I took him to The Animal Emergency Hospital of Mansfield twice due to the severity of his injury.  At first, the venom caused his entire leg to swell up.  Then, an abscess surfaced and started to drain.  After a day of following the discharge instructions, the fluid and inflammation could not be contained and ruptured into multiple abscess areas around his leg. When I took him to the ER the second time, they had to immediately drain the abscess fluid on his leg. This hospital charged me over $1,200 for both visits.  The emergency hospital was never able to diagnose Tele or give me the proper cause of these reactions. After a couple days of monitoring him, the venom in his leg began to deteriorate his connective tissue and he was unable to walk, eat, or drink. I was afraid that venom would go deeper, possibly into his bone, so I took him to his normal veterinarian.  This was the third veterinarian in one week I took Tele to in hopes that he could target the cause.  It was then that he told me it was a snake bite, most likely a copperhead. 

The veterinarian is currently performing a three-day reconstructive graft procedure to cut the dead flesh off of Tele’s leg.  This first surgery alone cost $769.  Tele needs other surgeries to graft tissue onto his leg so he can have a shot at living a normal life.  I do not know how much those surgeries will cost.  I have set a goal of $2000 right now.  I am sure other procedures, medications, and costs will follow after the reconstructive surgery, but I hope it does not, because I need my special dog to come back home to me.  Please give any donations to the Telemachus “Tele” Pevsner Medical Fund to help this unconditional lover heal!  Any type of support is greatly appreciated!