Smidge needs Tests and Surgery at Massey

Smidge is a loyal fun loving dog who belongs to a 12 year old girl called Dylan. He came into our lives two and a half years ago. Our previous dog had lived to the age of 14 before we finally had to say goodbye to him. 6 months later we weren't quite ready to love again but Smidge was looking for a home and we did fall in love with him on 1st sight. He was the cutest little bundle of fur we had ever seen. He loves to run around as fast as he can playing chase with us or playing with his toy collection. He makes sure he plays fetch with every toy in turn so none of them is left out.

Before losing our previous beloved dog we also lost 2 beautifully sweet ratties to old age not long before so my daughter as had a lot of loss before Smidge filled our lives back up with love. He is now two and a half years old and is a very cheaky character. However a couple of weeks ago while chilling out with us he had his first seizure. It was very frightening for us and for him. We rushed him to the vet and they did a battery of tests on him. They were able to determine that there is something wrong with his Liver function, which is causing toxins to build up in his body and cause the seizures. We immediately put him onto a prescription diet that is low in protein to help his liver to process the food without as much toxin build up. I had hoped that it would be enough to prevent further seizures until I could save the money to complete the next stage of diagnostic testing and pay for his surgery if it is one of the more likely birth defects that can be permanently fixed by surgery. However he has been on his new diet for 5 days now without a seizure until last night. I woke up from the noise of him thrashing around on his bed at 5 am. We will have to add in some prescription laxitives and liver support medications to try to further control the toxins from reaching dangerous levels until his cause of his liver problem can be fully diagnosed and hopefully corrected by surgery. In order to get him diagnosed fully he needs to go to Massy University in Palmerston north to have an ultra sound, contrast MRI and other tests which Massey have quoted at $2500. If his condition is being caused by one of the more likely conditions that could be permanently corrected by surgery then the cost of that has been estimated by Massy at a further $3500. I am a sole parent who works full time to support myself and my daughter so money is always tight. I can not see any way that I can cover these costs myself and I can't bear the thought of my daughter and myself having to lose another beloved family member so soon. Smidge is so full of fun and has barely begun his life. I don't want to let him go yet but he will not have any quality of life if he can't get the lifesaving veterinarian treatment he needs to recover. So please, if you are an animal lover and you can spare any small or larger amount of money to go towards his medical treatment, then Smidge, myself and my daughter would be so grateful for any help you are able to give.

Thank you for your time to read this and for any help you can give. ♡