Help save Louie’s life

Hi everyone, first and foremost I just wanted to say thank you so much for the outpouring of love and support for Louie and I. I'm so fortunate to have many wonderful friends and family members. Anyone who knows me knows that Louie is everything to me. The past couple of years have been very tough, including the sudden loss of my dad just 7 months ago. Louie is my rock and best friend.




On Thursday evening I took Louie to the vet to have his shots updated. The vet said that his heart murmur had increased to stage 4-5. Stage 6 is heart failure. He's been on medication for his heart but unfortunately, that just helps with the symptoms as there is no cure for Mitral Valve Disease. As they were drawing blood Louie collapsed and his heart stopped for 30 seconds. They gave him oxygen and a sedative to calm him down as his heart rate and blood pressure were very high and we rushed him to the hospital. At the hospital, the Dr informed me that there is a thick sack of fluid surrounding Louie's enlarged heart, which is putting a lot of pressure on it. Not only that, but there's a tear in his right aorta from being stretched, as well as a blood clot. There's also concern about his liver and kidneys possibly failing because they don't want to give him too many fluids as that could cause more blood. I was given the option of either putting him down or doing what we can for him and riding it out. So far the fluid around his heart, as well as the blood, has decreased quite a bit so that’s positive. After being assured up and down that Louie is not suffering, I made the decision that Louie and I would fight this. I’m taking it one minute at a time, and as soon as I see any signs of him suffering I will let my baby go. This is what I've been dreading since the day I fell in love with him. I knew it was coming. 




I really don't like having to ask for help, but it's crazy how expensive this is. We're getting the best treatment possible but unfortunately it's $1000 / day just to be here, not including the costs of tests, medications, etc. 




Unfortunately I don't have insurance as Louie already had his heart condition when I adopted him, and insurance won't cover any pre-existing conditions. Any little bit that you can give will be a huge help and will increase Louie’s chances of survival. 




Thank you all so much for your love and support. 




Much love, Natalie and Louie