Red alert: Help us bring Big Red back!
Please help us bring Big Red back.
Somerfield, Christchurch
My dog, Big Red, is my best friend. Every morning, he greets me with such joy. He is hyperactive, soft hearted, goofy and a little bit scared of cats! He is intelligent and manages to let you know exactly what he wants. He is my constant companion and the heart of our home.
Recently he's been unwell and his symptoms the last week have worsened. He urgently needs more tests and without them his chances of recovery decrease every day. Red is losing muscle mass rapidly especially on his head, it's asymmetrical and it's alarming. Red is choking on his food and struggling to keep it down, he is now at risk of aspiration. It is recommended he has a bailey chair made for him.
The costs have now become overwhelming, and I am reaching out for help. Any amount you can give will go directly towards his care and I will share below the tests he needs done urgently.
Liver specialist ultrasound - $700+ ~ Myasthenia Gravis test - $1177 ~ MMM test - $1177 ~ X-Rays (health dependent) - $802.33
Tests already done and paid for - Urinalysis, CBC, Biochemistry test, TT4 test, bile acids test, TSH test, Toxoplasmosis test, CK test, UPCR test.
I am an only surviving parent, studying full time at UC towards a bachelor in science and I would kindly appreciate any support if you can. If you are unable to donate please think about sharing this page for Red. I will update this page often to keep you updated on Red's progress! Please help us bring Big Red back.
Use of funds
Blood tests, ultrasounds, bailey chair, potential x-ray.
Other page links
Latest update
I am still here! 9 February 2025
Hey everyone, its me Big Red!
I just wanted to give you all a little update on how I'm doing. I'm still my happy self, I love going to the park, the beach, and having playtime but things have been tough. The medication I was on for three months didn't work, so the specialist vet decided to start tapering me off it because it could do more harm than good. If my symptoms get worse, I might have to try something new.
My dog mum is working closely with the vets to try and figure out what is going on. They have suggested a swallow study ($1500) and a muscle biopsy (up to $4200) but for now, we are watching my symptoms to see if we can get more clues. Since the medication didn't help, we might need to look in a different direction.
One of the hardest things for me is eating. I have to be fed one teaspoon at a time because swallowing is tricky. I also have a special food that costs $28.80 per day and that adds up fast! My vet bills have already reached around $6000 and things are again getting a bit overwhelming. My dog mum has been thinking about opening another page to help with my care.
Thank-you so much to everyone who has supported me so far, it means the world to both of us! I'm still a happy pup, and I'm still fighting. I am only 3 and I have so much more life to live! I just may need a little extra help along the way.
Lots of love, Big Red.
Latest donations
Thankyou Laura that was so kind of you to make a donation, thankyou!
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