Help Ziggy get lifesaving heart surgery

This is our family pet, Ziggy. We have had Zig since the day she was born, and up until October, she had never spent a night away from home. Ziggy loves short walks, her mum and dad, playing with a tiny ball in the garden, and sleeping on your lap.

On October 12th, 2023 our best friend went into heart failure. After a long 24 hours in the animal hospital, they presented us the real possibility that she would not make another night, and if she did we would have to consider the prospect of euthanising her. After a long fight, a lot of tears, and a long discussion we decided we would do absolutely anything to get her well again. The average life span of a Jack Russell is at least 15 years, and Zig has a long while to go for this. We can't imagine a life without her.

She had to undergo several procedures to remove the fluid from her lungs and reduce the strain on her heart but her fight is not over just yet, she’s currently on 6 life-saving tablets a day - but the tablets are only buying us time till we can get her a Mitral Valve Repair surgery.

Zig will need Mitral Valve Repair surgery, where she will have an open heart surgery and be placed on bypass at the Royal Vetinary College, London. This is an extremely specialist surgery, with only one vetinary surgery carrying out the surgery in Britain. Ziggy is a prime candidate for the surgery, and has already been offered a date of April 15th for her operation. Unfortunately, we haven't been able to get the remaining funds for the surgery yet, so have postponed until June to give ourselves the best chance at making the surgery happen.

The surgery and aftercare will cost a total of £17,000 because of the complexity and care needed for Zig. As a family, we are doing absolutely everything we can to get this money together, but can't risk the chance of having to push back Zig's surgery yet. We’ve spent all of our savings on her preliminary treatments and are now reaching out for some help for her final surgery!

After her heart surgery, Ziggy is expected to make a full recovery, without the need for any more tablets, or the frequent vet visits and check ups she has now. She’s happy and healthy in every other way and we’re just desperate to have our bright little puppy back causing trouble with her brother and sister.

Any donations would be an absolute gift helping us care for her, especially whilst she’s on her tablets and anything spare will go directly to her surgery fund! Thank you so much - Andrea, Georgia, Milly, Mylo and Ziggy x