Help Cooper get a life-saving operation

Cooper is our 18-month-old miniature schnauzer. We got him when we found out that Stella - one of our other two older schnauzers - had a terminal heart condition and we didn't want her sister Zoe to end up alone. When Stella passed several months ago, Cooper and Zoe became each other's companions.

 

 

 

*Cooper, Stella (RIP) and Zoe*

 

A week ago, we were woken up in the middle of the night because Cooper was drooling uncontrollably and walking into walls. The local vet wasn't sure at the time what was wrong and his symptoms gradually passed, but three days later the same thing happened again.

 

In the early morning hours we rushed him to our animal emergency clinic and found out that Cooper was born with what's called a liver shunt, which is basically a blood vessel that sends blood around the liver (which cleans the blood of toxins) rather than through it. A massive amount of ammonia had built up in his blood that was causing severe neurological problems. It also created a large number of bladder stones that are also now blocking his urethra (making it hard for him to pee).

 

Cooper has been in the animal hospital for the past three days and immediately needs an operation to close the shunt and remove his bladder stones.

 

 

 

 

The cost of his emergency stay and operation is nearly $18,500. Over the past couple days we've extended and maxed our credit to cover the cost, but we don't have enough, which has just created tons of financial and emotional stress. He needs care now, and we can't do this on our own, despite our best efforts.

 

The money we raise will be used for one thing: to help pay for Cooper's operation and emergency room care. The cost estimates from the animal hospital are below. He is the baby of our family. He is Zoe's best friend. We would not be good fur parents if we did anything less.

 

 

 

 

If you can contribute in any way, we would be grateful. If you can't it would mean so much to us if you would simply share this with your social network and spread the word that we need, and welcome, help.

 

Thank you, in advance.

 

Carlo and Luz