My name is Nicki. I’m reaching out for help because this sweet boy needs help desperately!!! His name is Gus. My oldest son has been in the Army for 6 years now, and he got Gus when he arrived at his first duty station in, I believe, Feb of 2020. With his current situation at his new duty station, he was unable to take Gus with him and planned to get him when he comes home for Christmas.

At 3:00 am on Monday, Sept 1st, Gus began having violent seizures. From 3-6 am, he had 6 seizures, then another around 8 am. I was unable to reach a veterinarian due to the fact that it was Labor Day, so I had to take him over to my younger son’s house (I am a caregiver and cannot miss work due to the nature of my work). Our local emergency vet didn’t open until 5 pm. Gus did well until about 4 pm, and then he began seizing again. From 4-5 pm, he seized 4 times. While my son’s fiancé and my mother were trying to get him to the emergency vet, he had 2 more seizures in the car and started seizing again as they pulled in. The staff at the hospital rushed him in immediately, asking if they should use life-saving measures if he went into cardiac arrest. While they were working on him, he had another seizure. Thank the dear Lord they were able to stabilize him and gave him medication to stop the seizure. They kept him overnight, giving him fluids and medication to help prevent the seizures. We were able to call and check on him throughout the night. When I called at 9:30, I was told he had had another seizure and that they would call me if he had another one or if any other complications arose. So, in an 18-hour timeframe, this poor baby had 16 seizures.

When I picked him up at 7:30 am this morning (Tuesday, Sept 2nd), the doctor explained to me that he was epileptic and that he would need to be on medication every 12 hours for the rest of his life. He needed to be taken to his regular veterinarian when they opened this morning to get put on the proper medication. So, my younger son’s fiancé took him to his vet, where we have been told that he doesn’t agree with the emergency vet’s diagnosis. He believes that Gus has an underlying condition such as a brain tumor and is referring him to a neurologist. In our area, we have 3 options: Virginia Tech, University of TN, and Asheville, NC. All of which are 2 hours or more away, which is not the issue at all. Our issue is it’s going to be around $3,500 just to go to the initial appointment with the neurologist, not to mention what might happen next.

Gus’s daddy, my oldest son who is active duty in the Army, is stationed over 16 hours away and is currently trying to get leave so he can come be with his baby (we don’t know if the Army will grant his leave or not yet). He is just completely devastated and feels so helpless that he’s unable to be here for Gus. As his mom, I feel utterly helpless because there is nothing I can do to get him home, and after we paid $1,181.75 at the emergency vet, we are financially exhausted. I know that times are hard for everyone right now, and I WOULD NEVER DO THIS IF WE HAD ANY OTHER OPTION, but unfortunately, we don’t…so if you could find it in your heart to help a Mama try and help her Hero’s baby boy, we would be eternally grateful!!!!! Gus is a wonderful grandpup, and he needs help!!! Thank you for taking the time to listen to our story, and if you are unable to donate, prayers are greatly needed and very appreciated.