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Peaches Medical Fund: Ongoing costs for a brain damaged rescue dog making a miraculous recovery!

  • What do we use your donations to Peaches for?

      17 February 2024
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    Attached is the estimate from 14/02/24 for CT and CSF Tap (spinal tap) we are fundraising for. At the same time, we hoped could take advantage of the anaesthetic to complete some others (bloods and skin biopsy) and to spay her. Her hormones when she comes into season do impact her cognitively so we are keen to get this done asap! But it may need to be at another time due to

    We deeply appreciate your assistance so far and want to breakdown of the costs covered for the sake of transparency and appreciation.

    Daily medications (dosage at Jan 24):

    Atopica = $158.56 per month

    Omeprezole = $63.26 per month

    Triazadone = $48.18 per month

    Prednisone = $11.79 per month

    Gabapentin - $15.40 per month

    = $297.19 per month approx

    Infusions costs (every 3 weeks):

    Cytarabine = $842.66, imported from USA.

    Clinic IV days = $715.30-$1400 when her infusions are administered by IV over 8-hour in clinic, cost is approx, per infusio).

    Monthly bloods (ie. diagnostic and consult costs) = $99.75 (with discount - every 3 weeks following her Cytarabine treatment Peaches has a CBC blood test to check her blood cells.

    Other Miscellaneous Peachy Health/Medical Expenses:

    Physio consult = $95.00 (per 30 mins consult)

    Vet consult = $45.00 (per consult)

    Neurologist consult = $748.00 (per 60 mins consult)

    Initial diagnostics: MRI, radiology costs and ultrasound (17 June 2023) = $3,910.60

    Nasal x-ray diagnostics and flush (August 2023) = $585.63

    Pls keep an eye on our socials and website too!

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  • February 2024 Update!

      17 February 2024
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    Thank you all for helping us to raise a huge $8,287so far!!

    Peaches is our miracle dog who's overcome immense hurdles thanks to her dedicated vets, loving foster families and your invaluable support. As Peaches has gotten better, shes also blossomed. Peaches is sweet, curious, goofy and very kissy - a gal who loves a good drive in the car, roll in the grass or Sun spot and snuggle with her people

    Peaches battles MUE where her immune system mistakenly attacks her brain, causing severe neurological symptoms. Against all odds, Peaches has shown remarkable recovery, regaining her sight and cognitive function, thanks to intensive treatments.

    Despite her progress, the road ahead requires careful navigation. We went to VSA this week to make a plan for their next steps.

    Peaches now needs two essential tests - a CSF (spinal tap) and CT scan to see if the inflammation in her brain has subsided and if we can safely reduce her strong drugs. The cost for the next step has been quoted at $7-9k IF we take advantage of her anaesthetic to also do her bloods, skin biopsy and her spay at the same time. So we’re determining whether it is much cheaper to leave those out atm - so we can fundraise to get those tests done without further delay.

    As we face this next challenge, we ask for your help once more. Sharing Peaches' story, hosting fundraisers, or making a donation—no contribution is too small. Every bit helps us edge closer to giving Peaches the life she deserves.

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  • Please check out Peaches' page on our website

      22 October 2023

    For an overview on her story. we also regularly post updates on our social media (Instagram and Facebook!)

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  • A little left field update….

      16 August 2023
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    Peaches foster mum noticed her smaller seizures had occurred while drinking. Sadly it’s made Peaches hesitant and thirsty. Yesterday Peaches was sedated for a nasal flush, x-rays and inspection of her nasal cavity.

    We were shocked to learn she has no septum (ie. the cartilage in her nose separating the passages).

    This may be a new development, it doesn’t seem to have been in her June MRI. It is concerning now, as it could be anything from a congenital feature, MUE immune reaction, or cancer.

    We now need to x-ray Peaches in 2 months to see whether this has progressed. 😭

    In the meantime - Peaches is now learning to drink water from a rabbit dropper bottle, 🐰. We think her discomfort and reaction is what might be causing her episodes. P is a special case. But also a costly one!!

    We have long used all the GIveALittle funds on her treatments as each infusion day costs well over $1000. Plus the bloods, X-rays, consults, medications and the MRI, ultrasound etc. we really need some help with our Peaches fund!

    If you can assist - every little bit helps! We will use this towards her next infusion (this coming Saturday!) plus the bloods the week after that and then of course her other meds and repeat nasal X-rays.

    Thank you to Everyone who has supported Peaches so far. She is such a loving, funny, sweet little dog and we are trying to give her the best chance possible. Peaches has come SUCH a long way and improved so much. We so badly hope this can continue for her!

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  • PEACHES UPDATE - INFUSION #2

      10 July 2023
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    Our brave little fighter had a second infusion on 8 July. We were filled with hope as we were excited to see the progress made!

    We checked in with Peaches’ Sunday: she woke up full of energy, shocking them by running about, not just a casual trot, but real, joyful running! It’s heartwarming to see Peaches begin normal dog stuff - rolling on grass or grooming herself. It was a day of achievements. Peaches aced crate time and followed her foster mum outside, down steps for toilets. Peach also began learning the command "sit”! Every small step forward is a reason for celebration in any dog. Let alone a brain-damaged stray, who couldn’t see prior!

    How has Peaches been doing generally? P is reclaiming more of her functions and personality each day. She’s gone from sling/stroller to her “big girl bed” – the crate! Her new foster mum, Penny, is focusing on helping her realise her independence and support her with learning a “normal dog” routine.

    P is slowly learning new people aren't scary; and breakthrough when some family arrived at her foster home. P mustered up the courage to approach and sniff their hand. Stuff like this is a significant milestone, considering her previous vision issues, inability to engage with the environment around her AND fear of strangers.

    It’s really cool to see how much she’s improved and makes us more hopeful for a great outcome. We hope you will continue cheering her on as she fights her way towards a brighter, healthier future!

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  • Today was the day Peaches had her first infusion!

      17 June 2023
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    Did anyone else get tearful?

    It’s been such journey to get to treatment day!

    Since Peaches arrived - we’ve been on a roller coaster of attending medical appointments, fundraising to get a MRI, day-to-day care of a high needs dog, trialling meds, fundraising for her neurology consult, sourcing more meds, having tough discussions in-team, fundraising more, trying to locate the first vial in NZ and then navigating all the red tape surrounding that… so it was emotional seeing her finally hooked up to that IV and knowing we had made it to treatment 1.

    Today peaches arrived at Shirley vets and had her IV of Cytarabine administered over 8-hours. She’s back now with her foster mum doing well. This is her very best chance in reducing her symptoms or sending the disease into remission From here, we wait and see and will keep you updated!

    It’s been a mammoth effort to get to this day, and we have some “thank you’s” on behalf of little Peaches:

    - Dr Tracey Tonkin and the Team at Shirley Vets – For all their time, effort and expertise today.

    - Thank you to Dr DePompa (Peaches’ Neurologist) at Southeast Veterinary Neurology for the ongoing support and guidance from afar.

    - You guys! Everyone who has donated towards her care and made this possible. All of this care is expensive and she wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for your support.

    Although we know it’s step 1 on a high ladder, we are so thankful that she made it to today and did well! We’ll keep you updated <3

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  • Diagnosis... Now plan!

      11 June 2023
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    Peaches has Meningoencephalitis of Unknown Etiology ("MUE") – meaning something caused Peaches' immune system to attack her brain.

    The best chance for her involves a combination of Prednisone (steroid) and a drug called Cytarabine (brand names are: Cytosar-U, DepoCyt) which is an infusion administered by IV in the vet clinic and given the infusion over 8 hours. This should address her issues and be low on side effects. Peaches will need this infusion once every 3-weeks initially. The Neurologist advises that it’s possible this could be required regularly for a while -depending on how well symptoms are controlled.

    In terms of Peaches’ prognosis, we cannot know until she begins treatment which "tier" she fits into.

    1) First Tier - symptoms seem to resolve, they appear mostly normal, often falling into “remission” (Hopefully Peaches!)

    2) Second Tier - some symptoms remain, but not affecting the quality of life. They may relapse on occasion, which requires increasing treatment for a period. (OK option!)

    3) Third Tier - non-responsive to treatment and may worsen.

    Once Peaches began treatment, within the first 6-9 weeks we should see some improvement, which will show where she fits and whether we continue to invest in the treatments.

    Peaches is young, bright and already showing promise. We are always transparent about what your donations go to and WHY we need them. Peaches has no hope elsewhere, as a blind, stray dog, with a serious medical condition. We want to try.

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  • MRI Day!

      8 June 2023
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    Today, Peaches seemed more relaxed and comfortable. Perhaps she knew there was something different going on today. Because, as we waited with her at the vets, she gave us a couple of kisses. Assuming it was a fluke, we asked her to do it again and she did! I guess it’s her way of showing gratitude?! It was more reassurance that she has a little personality in there and some cognitive ability.

    Peaches had her ultrasound. They thought it may be a severe case of hydrocephalus that resulted in her symptoms. There is some fluid, but not severe enough to warrant blindness and circling.

    Secondly, bloods were taken for toxic-screening and are pending. We know her organs are generally healthy. But this was for things she may have ingested to cause neurological symptoms.

    Lastly, the MRI (preliminary) results show some lesions in her brain. Plus “densities” on the right side. The vets aren’t sure yet (as the images are sent off to to radiology) whether this indicates some sort of infectious disease (ie. toxoplasmosis, or bacteria), an abscess, or even meningitis. But the positive is, there were NO tumours or major life-ending abnormalities present.

    So, we now engage a neurologist and can begin treatments with some legitimate hope Peaches can fight this and become a success story!!

    Peaches' eyes also may have the potential to improve as Dr Heap confirmed they seem healthy (in terms of the hardware itself).

    The vets added in some strong antibiotics (Clindamycin) to her regime!

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