Help with Dozer's Surgery

Hi, my name is Cheryl, and I am Dozer's mom. Dozer is an 8-year-old English Bulldog.

I rescued him on Mother's Day 5 years ago, the couple that had him were having a baby and they no longer wanted a dog.

Dozer has the best personality, he is fun, loving and super silly, and a big part of my family.

Unfortunately, Dozer has had some issues with allergies, chronic ear infections, and chronic dry eye.

He takes medicine everyday twice a day for his dry eye, that will be for the rest of his life.

The chronic ear infections have been the worst for Dozer, although you would never know it.

Recently, I took Dozer to the vet hospital on Friday 3/22/24. He was not acting himself, lethargic, not eating or drinking.

They diagnosed him with having a severe ear infection in his right ear, and an ear infection is his left ear as well. They said they cleaned his ears really good. They sent him home with 2 antibiotics. That visit cost $1,400.00.

On Saturday, I noticed he had some discharge from his right ear. As I was cleaning him up, I realized it was blood coming out of his ear. I noticed a little bit later there was more blood coming out and this time a lot more. I thought this was normal, maybe the infection coming out.

On Sunday 3/24/24 his face was swollen, again I thought this was normal, part of the healing process, gets worse before it gets better, right? NOT THE CASE

I came home Monday 3/25/24 from work and his right eye was completely swollen shut, he was panting, unable to get comfortable, weak, not able to walk straight. I immediately took him to Newtown Veterinary Hospital in Newtown CT.

They did an assessment and told me Dozer is in in critical condition. Dozer's ear canal has exploded, and the fluid in his face is from the ear, he had a fever, and his blood pressure was low. They talked with me and gave me the treatment plans, options I had for Dozer.

First, is for the immediate care and procedure Dozer needed which was stabilizing Dozer, draining the fluid from his face, and identifying what type of bacteria this is so we know how to treat it. Once the infection is gone, the second step would be surgery to remove his ear canal.

They gave me two estimates, both had a low and high estimate.

The first for the immediate care and procedure, and getting this infection under control, which included an overnight stay (24 hours). The low amount was $3,371.03, the high amount $6,269.40. Dozer did great, the abscess in his face was drained and he was doing well. I was able to pick him up later afternoon the next day Tuesday 3/26/24. He went home with an additional antibiotic, dependent on the culture from the lab we were waiting for the results to come back. The cost was $3,500.00.

After the infection was under control, the second step is a total removal of Dozer's ear canal. The low amount is $8,232.53, and the high amount is. $11,290.63.

On 4/1/24, the culture results came back, and of course Dozer has 3 separate bacteria in his ear, one being extremely antibiotic resistant. The name, Staphylococcus Pseudintermedius.

Dozer was put on a stronger antibiotic named Chloramphenicol 500mg, 3 pills every 8 hours. The cost of this medication is $199.93.

The third option they gave me was to put Dozer to sleep. I NEVER thought this was an option, I mean he doesn't have cancer, his kidneys aren't falling, his blood work came back good, it's a simple ear problem. He is only 8 years old, a baby still.

I obviously did not choose option #3. I chose to give this a go, and follow the treatment plans the hospital set forth.

Simply, I need help paying for Dozer's care. I am single, I work full-time but the vet bills are quite hefty. I can provide any paperwork, pictures, and videos requested, the vet hospital phone number, whatever you request, I will provide. I just want Dozer to get better!

Any help you find in your heart, I would be forever grateful.

Thank you for reading Dozer's story!