Nova - The Viking Dog needs your help

From the moment that Nova came into our lives he dazzled us with his intelligence and personality and his fiercely loving and courageous spirit.

Despite being an active healthy 2 1/2 year old Vallhund, Nova has some serious health issues. He started to show signs of being in pain a few months ago and the situation progressed until he was having trouble walking. What we have discovered is that he has a condition akin to spina bifida where the spine and spinal cord haven't formed correctly and in his case the nerves attached to his bowel aren't working right.

He is now is facing a lifetime of medication to control nerve pain and it's a very fine line between controlling his pain enough that he can lead an active life and avoiding the side effects that will leave him drowsy and uncoordinated. Ideally we need an MRI scan to determine exactly how the spine and spinal cord have formed and what can be done to give Nova a quality life but at $1600 it is unaffordable.

As a solo mum and unable to work due to an illness, my options are limited. Nova is an integral member of our family, a staunch protector and faithful friend to two teenage boys and two cats. We have gone from having to constantly throw the ball for him and play chase around the lounge all night, to having to coax him to take a few steps and it has been devastating.

The MRI will give us insight into the exact cause of his pain and allow us to make the best decision regarding his treatment and give him the best possible chance at a pain free life.