Moiraine the Shiba's Urgent Medical Need

Help Me Save Moiraine – My Sweet, Sassy Shiba

Hey everyone,

My 7-year-old Shiba Inu, Moiraine, is in serious trouble, and I need help to save her life.

What’s Happening?

Moiraine started having digestive issues in December, but multiple vet visits didn’t give us any real answers. I adjusted her diet, monitored her closely, and hoped we’d figured it out. Then, on the morning of February 16th, things took a turn for the worse.

She vomited up all of her food and was in so much pain she couldn’t stay in one position for more than 45 seconds. I took her to the vet immediately, where $1,700 worth of bloodwork and X-rays revealed that something is seriously wrong with her gallbladder, and it may have already ruptured. The ultrasound will be another 740 dollars.

Right now, we’re waiting for an ultrasound on Tuesday to confirm if it has burst. If it has, she needs emergency surgery immediately or she won’t survive. Even if it hasn’t, she will be on heavy medications and then be put on a strict diet for the rest of her life. Right now, she’s home with me, on a lot of meds, but she won’t eat, and I’m terrified that things will get worse before Tuesday.

Why I Need Help

The surgery is estimated to be at least $7,000, but it could go higher depending on complications and follow-up care. I have pet insurance, but it only reimburses 75%—meaning I have to pay everything upfront first, and I simply do not have that kind of money on hand.

I’m a 100% disabled Navy veteran with CPTSD, and Moiraine has been with me through everything—my medical retirement, my move back to NYC, and years of learning how to live with everything that comes with CPTSD. My financial situation is better than it used to be, but I’ve spent years digging myself out of debt from past mistakes, and my credit isn’t good enough to get financing or a CareCredit loan.

Who Moiraine Is & Why She Means Everything to Me

Moiraine is a classic Shiba with an extra dose of sass. If she’s not napping, she’s either demanding my attention, complaining that I’m not doing exactly what she wants, or trying to convince me she hasn’t been fed yet.

She’s also the nicest Shiba you’ll ever meet. The breed is known for being difficult, but she’s the one that baffles vets and groomers by just being sweet to everyone. When she was about a year and a half, she was attacked by another Shiba, which left her with a small notch in her ear. Even while it was happening, she was gentle with the other dog and more worried about me as I rushed her to the vet.

She’s been with me through two cross-country moves, medical retirement, and the hardest years of my life. She and my other Shiba are the reason I keep going. Losing her would feel like losing the last rock I have left.

How You Can Help

I know everyone has their own struggles, so if you can’t donate, sharing this would mean the world to me. Every bit helps.

The funds will go directly toward:

✔️ Moiraine’s emergency surgery (if it comes to that)

✔️ Post-surgical care and medications

✔️ Emergency vet visits if she declines before Tuesday

Anything beyond what is needed for this emergency will be put towards making sure that Moiraine is setup with her new dietary lifestyle and also help create an emergency fund for the future.

I’ll be posting updates and photos along the way because I know people like to see where their money is going.

Thanks for taking the time to read this. I just want to do right by her.

– Patrick & Moiraine