Zorro's Collapsed Trachea Surgery

As many of you may know, I tragically lost my chihuahua miniature pincher mix, Bitty, ten years ago. What many of you don't know is that while this was a massive loss for me, it was also a devastating loss for my Uncle Michael who actually gave Bitty to me after a man he knew could no longer care for him and he shared custody of him with me. Michael got Bitty on Mondays and Tuesdays every week for his days off and the two of them spent their days running around my grandmas yard, taking naps and sharing snacks. When we lost Bitty, we really weren't sure he would ever recover. And then came Zorro.

Zorro is another all black chihuahua that my mom bought for Michael about two years after we lost Bitty. Zorro filled a massive piece that was missing in Michael's life and the two of them have been literally inseparable for the past eight years.

However, after Zorro developed a cough that wouldn't go away, vets diagnosed him with a collapsed trachea, a condition common in chihuahuas. This week Michael travelled all the way to a special surgeon down in south New Jersey to get a consult for the surgery that could repair Zorro's trachea. It was then also discovered that the heart murmur that Zorro was born with had gotten worse, which will further complicate the surgical process. We do not know how much time this surgery will provide for Zorro but we do know that without the surgery he will not live long and he is in discomfort. This surgery is the only hope Michael has of saving his best friend.

The Garden State Veterinary Specialists down in Eatontown are saying that the surgery will cost around $10,000. Unfortunately, Michael was unable to obtain pet insurance for Zorro due to his pre-existing heart murmur meaning this will all be paid for out of pocket.

Zorro will be getting this surgery but it would be really great if the financial burden on my uncle could be lessened as much as possible. He is sixty four years old and retired and this is a huge financial undertaking. We are eternally grateful for any support. Let's give Zorro, the feisty chihuahua a chance to live the long life he deserves.