Help Noel get a brain scan

Dear friends and fellow animal lovers,

We are Craig and Pam, proud parents of the most wonderful furry companion, Noel. Our 7-year-old Labrador is a true bundle of joy, with a passion for playing with balls and giving the warmest of cuddles. When someone is feeling down or upset, Noel has an uncanny ability to sense it and will bring his favorite toys to cheer them up. He spends most of his days greeting customers at our houseplants shop, where he never hesitates to ask for a loving scratch from each visitor. It's safe to say that Noel has a special place in the hearts of everyone he meets.

Unfortunately, we find ourselves in a difficult situation and must humbly ask for your support to help cover some of Noel's medical bills. Although we do have pet insurance, even the best policy isn't enough to cover the costs of his medical appointments. A few months ago, Noel experienced a small seizure. The vet advised us to monitor him and return if it happened again. Sadly, it did, and his most recent seizure lasted for several minutes, leaving us frightened and Noel feeling scared.

Following a consultation, our vet carried out a blood test with all clear results. The vet referred Noel to a neurologist consultation for further testing including a CT scan to determine the cause and ensure it's not a brain tumour or another life-threatening condition.

Noel’s vet suspected epilepsy but unfortunately epilepsy is a diagnosis of exclusion which means that the diagnosis of epilepsy is made only after all other causes of seizures have been ruled out.

Our insurance will cover up to £1000, but we need additional funds to ensure Noel receives the best care possible. The total estimated cost for a brain scan is £3313 plus £285 for the neurologist consultation so we are seeking to raise the remaining £2598. The appointment is on May 19th, and we are hoping to raise the necessary funds by then as we have to pay on the day of the appointment. 

We don't ask for large donations; just a small contribution equivalent to what you might spend on a cup of coffee can make a significant difference and help secure Noel's wellbeing. Any support you can provide, whether it's a donation or sharing our story, would mean the world to us and our beloved Noel.

Warmest regards,

Craig, Pam, and Noel

UPDATE 5th MAY

Hello everyone!

 Firstly, we would like to express our gratitude for the tremendous support, encouraging messages, generous donations, and for sharing Noel's story. We are truly amazed by the kindness and compassion demonstrated by so many people who are dedicated to helping Noel find a resolution to his seizures, so that he can continue to enjoy his favorite activities like playing with his tennis ball and snuggling with everyone.

Today we received an update from AVR via phone call regarding the estimated cost for Noel's scan and consultation. Regrettably, the total cost has increased by £285, which we have added to the fundraising goal. The consultation is booked for Thursday 18th May at 3pm and the scan will happen on Friday 19th at 9:15am. The vet also explained that it will also most likely MRI scan instead of CT scan but we will know more after the consultation with the neurologist.

The full payment is due on the day of the procedure, and we have until May 19th to gather enough funds with your support to cover Noel's medical expenses.

Yesterday, on May 4th, Noel displayed pre-seizure symptoms for approximately an hour, but thankfully did not have a seizure. As we are unsure whether this is due to epilepsy, a tumor, or another condition, every seizure is concerning since we don't know how Noel will respond. We do not have any medication or pills to administer; the only thing we can do is remain calm, hold back our tears, and comfort him as best we can until the episode subsides. We will keep you informed and updated on any further developments regarding Noel's health.

Thank you! 

UPDATE 18th MAY

Hey everyone! We wanted to give you an update on Noel's neurologist appointment. As expected, the doctor mentioned that seizures can have different causes like cancer, tumors, or epilepsy. Unfortunately he also said that epilepsy usually is diagnosed when dogs are younger and if the seizures happen when dogs are older usually it means changes in brain. It's a lot to take in, but we're staying positive. Tomorrow, Noel has the MRI scan scheduled, and there's a possibility he'll also need a spinal fluid test (Cerebrospinal Fluid or CSF).

It'll be done under anesthesia, so Noel won't feel a thing but we do know there could be some risks and side effects involved. However, the CSF analysis plays a vital role in figuring out why Noel keeps having these seizures.

On another note, we wanted to say a big THANK YOU to all of you who have donated and shared Noel's story. Your support means the world to us, and we're incredibly grateful for each and every one of you. We did want to let you know that we'll need an additional money to cover the cost of the CSF test.

We found out that GOFUNDME takes a small fee of 2.9% from the total amount, plus an extra 25p per each donation. So, unfortunately, about £116 has been deducted from our previous fundraising efforts. 

We've included the cost of the CSF test and GOFUNDME fees in our fundraising efforts and opened it up for donations. We kindly ask everyone to lend a helping hand by either sharing Noel's story or making small donations. Your support means the world to us, and it will go a long way in helping our little puppy.

On a more hopeful note, we're really crossing our fingers that this will be the end of the emotional rollercoaster for us and Noel. We hope that he won't require any more treatments or surgeries. Let's keep our spirits high and believe that all those scary scenarios mentioned by the pet neurologist will only remain as scenarios and never actually happen in real life. Thank you for your continuous support, and let's keep spreading Noel's story far and wide!

We trying to stay positive, and try focus on the incredible generosity and kindness we've received from all of you. We appreciate your help more than words can express. Sending you all a big virtual hug!

Pam, Craig and Noel (woof)