Zorro the Sheltie’s Life Saving Operation

Callie Mather is organizing this fundraiser.

Donation protected

Hello!

My name is Callie Mather and I am asking for your help by contributing towards an operation that my gorgeous six year old Shetland Sheepdog requires to survive.

On the beach

Zorro is a very special boy. He handsome, bright and very talented as well as being a fabulous friend and companion to me and my older Sheltie, Daisy.

Prince Zorro with his Queen Daisy

Zorro has been diagnosed with a condition that Shelties are predisposed to called gall bladder mucocele. This is when hypersecretion of mucus leads to an accumulation of thick gelatinous bile within the gall bladder. It may lead to a life threatening obstruction of the bile duct. Also the inflammatory changes to the wall of the gallbladder can lead to rupture and spillage of bile contents into the abdomen causing severe pain and peritonitis which can be fatal. Zorro’s case is further complicated as he has abnormalities in the gall bladder and an additional duct, making the surgery more complicated. The condition is not treatable with medication, and early surgical intervention is needed.

Zorro fell ill three weeks ago and after numerous blood tests, ultrasounds, ct scans and overnight vet stays with first opinion vets and Referrals, Zorro has now been referred on to a specialist clinic and is booked in for an operation to remove the gall bladder. The hopeful outcome after the operation is that he can live a full happy pain free life.

At Blenheim Palace

Zorro is fully insured, but as he has had so much treatment and investigation already, we have gone over the £7,000 annual limit. The cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal) has been quoted at between £5,500 and £6,500 plus consultation fees, and any post operation medications, monitoring etc. that he may need.

Zorro in the snowdrops

Zorro has the potential to live life to the full. As well as walks and cuddles, he loves his dog sports and has demonstrated Rally at Crufts. His current favourite activities are Scentwork, Heelwork to Music (Dog Dancing) and trick challenges. He is working his way up Scentwork UK and Detection Dog Trials and is competing in Heelwork to Music. He has featured in many Sheltie publications showcasing the versatility of this lovely breed. He is the poster boy for our very popular village fete dog show and some people will have seen our videos on You Tube. You can find these on my Facebook page.