Veterinary Expenses for Oliver RR
Donation protected
Hello Rhodesian Ridgeback community. I, along with Sandra Drogmiller, wanted to set up this gofundme for our friend Ryan Wrench and his dog Oliver. Oliver was diagnosed and treated for encephalitis and meningitis in August 2015, just one day after he and Ryan arrived in Seattle, having moved from Michigan. Ryan just graduated from Michigan State University and moved away from family, friends and his girlfriend Anna to take a job. Oliver is his constant companion and best friend. He is the ideal puppy owner - training, vet care, research and a loving nature! There is nothing he won't do for his dog. Before moving, Ryan was already concerned for Oliver as a half sibling of Oliver's, Katniss, had dropped dead in July due to possible heart failure along with lung hemorrhage that had been occuring for some time. Katniss was only 7 months old. Oliver is now 10 months old.
Finding out about the diagnosis Oliver received last month (I have all of the vet records), how much the cost of treatment to save him was and how much pain and anguish both Oliver and Ryan have suffered really upset those of us who care for them both. Oliver is a loved puppy and very popular. Ryan posts wonderful pictures of their adventures together. My RR Zoe loves them both (she is 10, and a popular old lady herself!) How could this have happened we wondered?! According to the veterinary specialists in Seattle, this, along with other health issues Oliver has had, are due to his suppressed immune system. He will have a lowered immune response for his entire life, affecting his quality of life. Neither Ryan or Oliver deserve this, and it breaks my heart. Had I been brave enough to breed my own girl and risk the heartbreak that comes with breeding, I would have loved to have Ryan as a puppy owner.
Oliver's dam, age 7.5 years, developed mastitis by the time the pups were 2 weeks old. There were 10 puppies that survived. They were fed goat's milk, nothing else for a milk replacer. This is not an ideal diet. When Ryan arrived at the breeder's house to pick Oliver up, he was bald. Ryan paid $1500 for a bald puppy.
Several of us, including Sandra and Terri (the owner of Katniss) have tried to help Ryan deal with this as best we can, from here in Michigan. Calls, emails, text messages, even just checking in with him. Ryan just turned 22, this is a lot for him to deal with, and he is the nicest young man. Sadly, the breeder of Oliver has not done much to support them. Not even a phone call. Terri didn't get a phone call or support either, after the sudden death of her puppy. I was consulting with veterinarians and others in our community to find ways to help Oliver, supplements he can take, diets he can try, anything that might help this fabulous puppy and his owner. Ryan did his best to contact the other puppy owners to let them know what was going on. Some are quite upset as they didn't even know about the lack of quality nutrition the litter suffered. Bad things happen in life, beyond our control. How those bad things are dealt with is what matters. I am thankful that both of the breeders I have gotten my dogs from are wonderful people, and always available for support - much like most of you! I know the Rhodesian Ridgeback community of the world is a great and supportive group of people. When I was active in rescue people always stepped up to help dogs they never even met, just because an owner needed help. I am hoping that this gofundme finds its way to people like that, as Ryan should not have to suffer this expense burden, for a dog that should not have this expense burden, and is likely to be an expensive dog to own. Oliver is not even a year old yet!
If you made it this far, thank you. I hope this never happens again to anyone else. This is the only thing we can think of to help Ryan out, other than selling off some of the (see below the pics)
Ridgeback memorabilia that Sandra and I have. If you would like more pictures, to see the vet records, please let us know.
Thank you for anything you can do to help!
Julie Moore and Sandra Drogmiller
Finding out about the diagnosis Oliver received last month (I have all of the vet records), how much the cost of treatment to save him was and how much pain and anguish both Oliver and Ryan have suffered really upset those of us who care for them both. Oliver is a loved puppy and very popular. Ryan posts wonderful pictures of their adventures together. My RR Zoe loves them both (she is 10, and a popular old lady herself!) How could this have happened we wondered?! According to the veterinary specialists in Seattle, this, along with other health issues Oliver has had, are due to his suppressed immune system. He will have a lowered immune response for his entire life, affecting his quality of life. Neither Ryan or Oliver deserve this, and it breaks my heart. Had I been brave enough to breed my own girl and risk the heartbreak that comes with breeding, I would have loved to have Ryan as a puppy owner.
Oliver's dam, age 7.5 years, developed mastitis by the time the pups were 2 weeks old. There were 10 puppies that survived. They were fed goat's milk, nothing else for a milk replacer. This is not an ideal diet. When Ryan arrived at the breeder's house to pick Oliver up, he was bald. Ryan paid $1500 for a bald puppy.
Several of us, including Sandra and Terri (the owner of Katniss) have tried to help Ryan deal with this as best we can, from here in Michigan. Calls, emails, text messages, even just checking in with him. Ryan just turned 22, this is a lot for him to deal with, and he is the nicest young man. Sadly, the breeder of Oliver has not done much to support them. Not even a phone call. Terri didn't get a phone call or support either, after the sudden death of her puppy. I was consulting with veterinarians and others in our community to find ways to help Oliver, supplements he can take, diets he can try, anything that might help this fabulous puppy and his owner. Ryan did his best to contact the other puppy owners to let them know what was going on. Some are quite upset as they didn't even know about the lack of quality nutrition the litter suffered. Bad things happen in life, beyond our control. How those bad things are dealt with is what matters. I am thankful that both of the breeders I have gotten my dogs from are wonderful people, and always available for support - much like most of you! I know the Rhodesian Ridgeback community of the world is a great and supportive group of people. When I was active in rescue people always stepped up to help dogs they never even met, just because an owner needed help. I am hoping that this gofundme finds its way to people like that, as Ryan should not have to suffer this expense burden, for a dog that should not have this expense burden, and is likely to be an expensive dog to own. Oliver is not even a year old yet!
If you made it this far, thank you. I hope this never happens again to anyone else. This is the only thing we can think of to help Ryan out, other than selling off some of the (see below the pics)
Ridgeback memorabilia that Sandra and I have. If you would like more pictures, to see the vet records, please let us know.
Thank you for anything you can do to help!
Julie Moore and Sandra Drogmiller
Organizer
Julie Buell Moore
Organizer
Oceola Township, MI
