Poppy is our 3 year old miniature Daschund, our little boy’s best friend. Two weeks ago Poppy woke up and was dragging her right back leg and was shivering.
We rushed her to our local vet as soon as they opened at 08h30 by which time Poppy was completely paralyzed from the waist down. Our vet took one look at her and referred her to a specialist surgeon in Westville. The news was devastating. After undergoing a CT Scan, it was discovered that Poppy suffers from genetic Invertebral Disk Disease (IVDD) and that she had a grade 4 herniated disk. This means that she only responded to deep pain stimulus.
The only solution was surgery at a cost of approximately R25,000 plus rehabilitation. There was no choice. We had to save her. Poppy is young and healthy and deserved ever chance. There was never going to be any other option. Poppy made it through surgery and spent the next week in hospital. There was not much improvement. She was pining and depressed.
In desperation she was discharged into our care for the long road of rehabilitation. Progress is slow. Poppy has some bladder control now and can push herself from a sit to stand position with assistance. It is now known if she will ever be able to walk unassisted again. She may need wheels. It is not known whether another disk could herniate and we start all over again.
The future is so uncertain. We stupidly had not taken out pet insurance. Our Jack Russell and Doberman had lived long and healthy lives, eventually passing away at the ripe old ages of 15 and 14 respectively. We didn’t even consider pet insurance for our young, healthy and active sidekick. We were foolish. Had we known the exact term IVDD we could have researched it better. We would have been aware that this condition affects 25% of all dachshunds. 25% – one in four! We would have insured her. We didn’t.
We paid. Rehabilitation is lengthy, slow and painful. We are doing our very best for her. This has crippled us financially. It is our own fault. We would love to be able to send her for more professional rehabilitation to help speed up her recovery.
This is not something I ever dreamed of doing – asking for help – financial help at that from people unknown to me.
Any small amount will go a long way to helping pay back the vet’s bill and providing Poppy with physiotherapy and professional rehabilitation
FOR OVERSEAS DONORS, PLEASE USE BELOW BANKING DETAILS WITH SWIFT CODE, WHEN MAKING A DONATION. PLEASE ENSURE THAT THE CAMPAIGN NAME IS USED AS A REFERENCE.
Bank: Nedbank
Account Name: Click n Donate
Acc #: 1145 292 569
Branch: 198765
Swift code: NEDSZAJJ
FIND, LIKE AND FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA
