Supporting Harlo with Critical ITP

Hi Everyone!

First, we want to say thank you for taking the time to read our story.

We are the Pelkofers- Corey, Monica, and little Harlo Quinn, our French bulldog. We are writing today in reference to the smallest but strongest family member, Harlo. Starting the month of August, we noticed a small red skin discoloration on Harlo under her front elbow. When the discoloration failed to dissipate we tried to see our family vet, but she was unavailable. Due to our concern and love for this little girl we did not want to wait and sought resolution at our local pet ER. Shortly after we received a diagnosis that turned our world upside down. Our little pup, was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease known as ITP (Idiopathic thrombocytopenic pupura). If you are not familiar with this diagnosis, it is an autoimmune disease where internally her body is killing her platelets thus not allowing her blood to ever clot properly. We were informed that this is something that will be with us forever and we needed to treat it immediately. With quick movement we started with her first blood transfusion along with traveling to multiple pharmacies around the PGH area to get her the proper medication. We have been working to help Harlo adapt to a new normal, which has been a struggle. It breaks our hearts to see her suffer without even understanding what is going on. Between blood transfusions, vet visits, medication after medication and long nights we want nothing more than our little baby to go back to sleeping peacefully, going for long walks and above all playing with her beloved tennis balls again (she’s the queen of tennis balls- I don’t think she ever doesn’t have one in her mouth).

Monday night we rushed to another ER only to find out her blood volume once again had dropped to a critically low level. We embarked on yet another transfusion, praying that this will get her blood count up and keep her in good health. At this time, we are on transfusion 4 and an IVIG treatment which is essentially our last hope.

We have never been ones to ask for anything but after the emotional and financial stress of this past month we find ourselves in need. Our vet bills which we never could have foreseen are currently sitting around $11,000. We have been in the process of planning a wedding that we are paying for ourselves, and recently had some costly home and automotive repairs. Anything that anyone can provide we would be forever grateful for. It has been incredibly hard to ask for help but knowing how much love others have in their hearts especially for such pure and loving animals, we figured it was worth a shot.

Thank you again for the time you took to read our story, any donation you can provide and any prayer you can give would be appreciated so greatly. Harlo is center or our family and no matter what next course of action we take, knowing how she loved is the most comforting thing in the world.