Finding Answers for Baylor - St. Bernard

Hello! My name is Kerra and I am setting up this page to help with the high expenses my parents, Mike and Myrna Matolka, have endured while trying to save the life of their beautiful Saint Bernard, Baylor.

Baylor became sick in October 2022 but recovered 6 days later with great blood work. He became sick again in February 2023. This time his blood work showed high levels of calcium and some kidney damage. Baylor was then admitted into emergency care for three days. He was thought to have Lymphoma. Baylor’s CT scan showed enlarged lymph nodes. He was referred to an Oncologist. At that time, an ultrasound was performed and the lymph nodes appeared normal along with the high calcium. Baylor was sent home with no signs of cancer and with high hopes that he was cleared of what was going on with him. Two weeks later, Baylor became sick again. His new blood work showed high calcium with kidney damage and again all tests veered toward cancer. Baylor has had biopsies of his liver, spleen and several different lymph nodes throughout his body. All tests coming back negative for Cancer. The Oncologist then recommended a bone marrow biopsy to check for cancer or disease there. That also came back negative. He was then referred to an Internal Medicine Doctor where they again did more lymph node biopsies and tests for a very rare cancer. Once again no sign of cancer was found. Baylor’s two Veterinarians, Oncologist and Internal Medicine Doctor are all stumped as to what is going on with Baylor. He has been tested for Addison’s Disease, Parathyroid, High levels of vitamin D, lepto and a long list of other things. All tests have come back negative. Right now, the thought is that he possibly has an autoimmune disease.

The steps being taken with Baylor right now are steroids to keep the calcium level down and an antibiotic. He is being placed on kidney disease prescription diet dog food. Baylor was being syringe fed for a few weeks but now is eating again on his own. He is feeling much better and doing very well right now thanks to the steroids. We are still trying to find answers for him. In the meantime, we are giving him all the love we possibly can.

Baylor’s bills have reached over $11,000.00 along with weekly expenses for the medications and prescription food he takes daily. My parents do not have pet insurance, so everything is being paid for out of pocket.

They have watched their boy go from 180 pounds down to 129 pounds in a few short weeks. They have to help him up off of the floor because he is so weak. It has broken their hearts. They have lost sleep being so sick over trying to find answers and treatments for Baylor. They would give anything to be able to help him, so I’d like to find a way to help them through this financially.

Any help you could offer would be greatly appreciated. If you are unable to donate at this time, sharing it would be so helpful. Thank you all so much.