Cooper's Spinal Surgery- Help Cooper Walk Again!
Donation protected
Wow, where to begin! It started in 2014 when we rescued Cooper from the many homes he was passed around from, and right into our home and hearts. He fit in perfectly! We couldn't understand why he had such a hard time finding his forever home before he even turned a year old! He's 6 years old now, and has been such a joy in our lives. We find it hard to imagine a world without him.
Cut forward to 3 weeks ago when we noticed a severe change in his posture and behavior. He would whimper at the slightest movement, didn't want to be around us and didn't seem to want to go outside on walkies (his favorite thing.)
It progressed very quickly. So much so, that right now he has no more function in his back legs and has become incontinent.
We were passed around from vet to vet to vet. It seemed endless, and so did the bills. With no clear answer as to why he was experiencing such pain, we sank our funds further into the red.
We finally took him to a neurologist, who told us that he has a mass that is more than likely a tumor growing inside one of his vertebrae, and crushing his spinal cord. This will require surgery to fix, and is about the only option we have. The only other option we were given was to keep him on meds and make him comfortable until he loses all motor function, and eventually needs to be euthanized.
We took out new credit cards, signed up for CareCredit (a veterinary financing credit card) and have been applying for grants, but it hasn't even scratched the surface. The MRI alone was $3000. Unfortunately we are unable to afford this, let alone an $8500 spinal surgery. We feel like horrible pet parents having to ask for help like this, but right now it is our only option.
My partner and I don't plan on having any children anytime soon, so our sweet Cooper is our LIFE! We work long hours struggling to provide a day to day as it is, and with this emergency we have no where else to turn but here. Any amount helps, and thank you for taking the time to read our story.
This is the most recent photo of Cooper after we noticed a change in behavior.
Cut forward to 3 weeks ago when we noticed a severe change in his posture and behavior. He would whimper at the slightest movement, didn't want to be around us and didn't seem to want to go outside on walkies (his favorite thing.)
It progressed very quickly. So much so, that right now he has no more function in his back legs and has become incontinent.
We were passed around from vet to vet to vet. It seemed endless, and so did the bills. With no clear answer as to why he was experiencing such pain, we sank our funds further into the red.
We finally took him to a neurologist, who told us that he has a mass that is more than likely a tumor growing inside one of his vertebrae, and crushing his spinal cord. This will require surgery to fix, and is about the only option we have. The only other option we were given was to keep him on meds and make him comfortable until he loses all motor function, and eventually needs to be euthanized.
We took out new credit cards, signed up for CareCredit (a veterinary financing credit card) and have been applying for grants, but it hasn't even scratched the surface. The MRI alone was $3000. Unfortunately we are unable to afford this, let alone an $8500 spinal surgery. We feel like horrible pet parents having to ask for help like this, but right now it is our only option.
My partner and I don't plan on having any children anytime soon, so our sweet Cooper is our LIFE! We work long hours struggling to provide a day to day as it is, and with this emergency we have no where else to turn but here. Any amount helps, and thank you for taking the time to read our story.
This is the most recent photo of Cooper after we noticed a change in behavior.
Fundraising team: Fundraising team (2)
Kathleen Reed
Organizer
Denver, CO
Matthew Joseph Ross
Team member