Urgent Care for Willow: Spinal MRI Needed

hi everyone! i'm starting this gofundme on behalf of sam and willow. sam has shared an update below about willow’s current condition and the steps being taken to get her back to full health. any support, big or small, means the world.

Hi friends,

My name is Samantha and I am a proud pet parent to two spunky pups. Oliver is a 4 year old Red Merle Australian shepherd, who is the best little brother to his sister, Willow. I am reaching out with a heavy heart to ask for help for my sweet baby girl, Willow.

Willow is an 8-year-old Black Lab/Pit Bull mix who will turn 9 this August. She is the most gentle, loving companion I could ask for — she lives for beach days, swimming in lakes and ponds, sucking on her fluffy stuffed ducks, and of course, snacking on cheese and peanut butter (her absolute favorite treats).

Over the past year, Willow’s health has taken a heartbreaking turn.

She’s had arthritis in her back legs for a few years, but in August 2024, her condition began to worsen rapidly. We tried everything — a complex oral medication and supplement regimen that progressed to injectable treatments. Despite our efforts, her gait began to change. She started dragging her front paws, swaying side to side, and struggling to walk in a straight line. Eventually, her front legs gave out completely. She now can’t stand or walk without full support. She has also lost control of her bladder and bowels.

This week, I brought Willow to the emergency vet where she received a preliminary diagnosis of C6–T2 myelopathy, a serious spinal cord condition affecting her mobility. The next step is a neurology consult and a brain/spinal cord MRI, which is absolutely essential to confirm what’s going on and guide potential treatment — including possible surgery.

The estimated cost of the MRI and specialist visit is around $5,000, not including surgery or any further treatments.

I’ve already spent thousands on vet visits and medications over the past 10 months, and I’ve reached a point where I simply can’t cover these next critical steps alone.

Willow means everything to me. She is my daughter, my best friend, and the most loyal soul. I want to give her every chance to get her mobility and her life back.

If you are able to contribute anything at all, it would mean the world. Anything as small as $5 or a share/post could bring us closer to getting her the help she desperately needs. And back to the beach to catch some waves and get sand between her paws.

Thank you for being apart of Willow’s village.

With love and deep gratitude,

Sam and Willow ❤️