Agnes is our beloved 5 month old puppy. She was a Christmas present for our children last year and has brought so much joy to our family.
But 3 weeks ago, Agnes woke up and started vomiting and head pressing (signs of neurological problems in dogs). We immediately took her to the closest Vet ER where she was quickly transferred to DoveLewis Emergency Animal Hospital. She was on the verge of having seizures so she had to be sedated and observed for 48 hours while tests were ran.
The tests confirmed that she has a Portosystemic Shunt (PSS). A liver shunt occurs when an abnormal connection persists or forms between the portal vein or one of its branches, and another vein, allowing blood to bypass, or shunt, around the liver. Dogs with liver shunts have increased bile acid concentrations in the blood because the liver does not get a chance to remove and store these chemicals after they are reabsorbed.
The most common clinical signs include stunted growth, poor muscle development, abnormal behaviors such as disorientation, staring into space, circling or head pressing, and seizures.
Thankfully, the amazing veterinarians were able to stabilize her enough to come home. Agnes is now on a prescription food diet and 2 medications to control her condition and symptoms, until she can get surgery.
She will need surgery once she gains enough weight. Hopefully she will put on enough weight by summertime. This is where we need your help. The estimated cost of her surgery is between $7500-10,000.
Her care at DoveLewis was already $4500. So as a family, we are earning extra money wherever we can.
We are humbly asking our community for any donations to help alleviate the financial hardship. As the time frame for her surgery is coming up quickly.
Thank you so much for listening to our story and for any help you are able to offer.
Sincerely,
Diana, Jesse, Odin, Bodhi, Luna and Agnes
