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This fundraiser is to help raise money to get sweet Dory the medical care she needs to start her new life as a healthy and happy schnauzer.

It's been confirmed her bladder is full of stones and needs urgent X-rays and bladder stone surgery. The surgery needs to happen soon before she experiences a blockage, which can be fatal.

Today, one day after her vet visit, Dory seems to really be struggling. She seems to be frantic, continually squatting without peeing. I fear she is uncomfortable and worse, that she's in danger.

I've spent roughly $600 on her grooming, vet appointment, vaccinations, lab work, heartworm test, and her medications to treat her hookworm infestation and her bladder infection.

I could REALLY use some help to come up with the money needed for her healthcare. The X-rays are estimated to be between $300-$400. The surgery will range between $2,300-$3,000, and there will be medications post-surgery.

Please read Dory's story below and reach out if you have any questions. Your help is so greatly appreciated.

OUR STORY

My name is Andrea Liza Ruiz. As a dog lover and a rescuer, I have come across many stray animals, rehabilitated them, and rehomed them. Somehow, these animals find a way into my home.

Everyone meet Dory (her new name).

Just over a week ago, there was a post on the San Antonio lost pets page. An Uber driver was making his deliveries and he saw this baby wandering the streets in a pretty rough, low-income part of town. She had been running around frantically and almost got hit by a car. The guy picked her up but was desperately needing someone to take her off his hands because he was still working making his deliveries. I went ahead and stepped in and offered to take her. So at around 10:00 p.m. last night, she was dropped off with me.

The next morning, I took her to a nearby veterinarian to have her scanned for a microchip. They didn't find one.

She was listed on several outlets as a found dog... and it became clear after several days... no one was looking for her.

Dory was found in a state of prolonged neglect. She was matted to the skin and her nails were curled. She appeared to have several health issues also.

After a long week of searching for her owners... to no avail... I decided to formally adopt her.

Because she was having concerning health issues (incontinence and bloody stool), I took her to the doctor.

My vet for almost 20 years saw Dory. I asked her, "Do you think I should give it more time before adopting her? Do you think it's too soon?" Her response was so validating... and while she gave me the reassurance that adopting her now is the right thing to do, what she told me next broke my heart.

She said... "I'm so glad you brought her when you did. She desperately needs medical attention and after examining her, I can tell you without a shadow of a doubt that this poor dog is showing signs of severe long-term neglect and if I were you, I'd do everything you can to keep her from whoever had her, if they're even looking for her." Here is what her examination found.

First. She's estimated to be 3 years and 6 months... so she's very young. The first thing she told me was her canines are in such bad shape for a dog her age, she likely has been on a low-quality diet that includes high carbohydrates (in other words... table scraps).

Second. Regarding the blood in her stool she's had for the last two days. She said she has hookworms... and that in order for hookworms to cause bloody stool, the parasites must have been in her gut for a long time... likely years.

Third. Upon compressing her bladder, she noticed it felt "spongy" which means she likely has a large number of bladder stones. In a young dog, this may suggest several things. For her bladder to have THAT many stones at her age, it's very likely she had endured long periods of time with limited access to water. It can also be caused by a poor diet and lack of exercise. It could also be caused by frequent or constant infection of the bladder and/or urinary tract.

Fourth. The doctor found a very high white blood cell count in her bladder and an overabundance of bacteria, suggesting a prolonged state of urinary tract/bladder infection.

She received all of her vaccinations with boosters scheduled in two weeks. They gave her a dewormer and sent us home with a follow-up dewormer for two weeks from now. She was also given a 14-day supply of antibiotics.

I will continually update everyone on her status. Thank you for reading our story.