UPDATE: We lost Roxie at 3.30am this morning (Tuesday 20th March 2018). She simply collapsed and stopped breathing and they couldn't resuscitate. Thank you for all of your support. Any remaining funds raised with justgiving will go on the emergency care that we spent for three visits in the last two months, the medication and cremation costs. Sadly, we didn't get time to do another heart scan and prove her condition was not directly heart related (which is excluded), so any further funds will also help us fill that big financial pit the insurance now will never pay out on (roughly 4-5k) as prepare for our first baby in May.

ROXIE'S STORY:

Roxie is 9-year old Cavachon (Cavalier King Charles X Bichon Frise) who is typically a very loving lively girl who loves to listen (head tilting and all) and enjoys a good sing now and then. However, things started to go downhill for her in January 2017. Overall she has suspected (undiagnosed) auto-immune issues that have led to repeated infections over the last year. It really is a long story to share, but in order she has gone through sudden blindness (SARDS & PRA), heart murmer, bursting skin cysts / skin infection, UTI, raised kidney markers (suggesting possible early signs of kidney disease), circling / eye nystagmus (disorientated darting of the eyes), mouth infection (removal of 13 teeth), ear infections and now potential bacterial pneumonia - to be properly diagnosed (cover photo is a recent picture with this particular symptom). Roxie also is very anxious when not with her family and scared of strangers. Something we are working on with more socialisation and increasing her human circle.

BEFORE ANYONE THINKS: Maybe it's time to let go....

Yes, in a list that all sounds rather awful for Roxie, but please know that in between her infections Roxie has been a very happy girl and every single day - even when she is ill - most of the time she wags, cuddles and every now and then shares her version of a laugh. The picture above was one of those moments, this is her smelling my sausage at a BBQ in the summer... just look at that smile - gappy though it is now!

When she is able to exercise, which was a lot until recently she still loves her walks and the smells and loves meeting other dogs - despite accidentally running into their bottoms sometimes (awkward reverse). Roxie has even had a few months in a row clear here and there through the year (mainly when on antibiotics). She also still loves her food and is doing well getting around without any sight. Her best friend Millie helps her get around and they cuddle most of the day. There is no doubt there is more life left in her we just need to get her condition diagnosed and under control. If we get that diagnosis we can make the right decision based on the predicted outcome and whether Roxie will be able to maintain a quality of life. But until we have a definitive diagnosis, we simply can't bare the thought of giving up. Especially as she often suddenly turns a corner and recovers from each episode.

WHY WE NEED HELP WITH FUNDS NOW...

Her current infection is taking its toll and every evening she has a few hours of breathing troubles. It's the worst symptoms we have experienced with her yet, so it's urgent we raise funds and rush forward a diagnosis. We managed to scrape enough together for a chest X-ray, during which she stopped breathing due to the sedation. Pretty scary, however on resuscitation they found green pus in her throat that was sent off for testing. A few days later the results were in and it was a pretty aggressive bacteria 'Pseudomonas aeruginosa'. Strangely it was a relief to get news on something definite. Her antibiotics were switched to one that fights this specific bacteria and an assumption of pneumonia made for now. Unfortunately after 3 days on the new antibiotic the evening rapid breathing episodes started. Eventually so much so she was so bad we rushed her to the emergency vet. Fluid was found in her lungs and she was basically drowning poor thing. They injected her with diuretic and kept her overnight on oxygen therapy and she calmed, but they refused to do any further treatment or testing without payment up front. We collected her knowing that bringing her home was not the best move for her, but there was nothing else they would do, so helping her anxiety being at home was the best call.

THE PET INSURANCE / FINANCIAL SITUATION:

Since we have been trying our best to find funding routes but not been successful. She has pet insurance but unfortunately due to having a non-lifetime policy initially, she is excluded for heart and eyes. For a while I beat myself up about getting a bad policy, but honestly I just didn't understand what 'annual' meant and if I had would never have taken out the policy. I don't even understand why a policy like that is being sold and why on earth didn't they get in touch as Roxie got older to suggest upgrading? Even though we quickly upgraded after realising how bad the policy was, the insurance company are now continually finding ways to link any issues with her heart. This means in the last year we have spent in the region of 4k and unfortunately, while we could afford some blood tests, eye tests, heart scans along the way - most of this is going on dealing with the symptoms. Not to mention that I am 23 weeks pregnant with our first and we haven't yet had anything spare to prepare for the new arrival due in May and recently been told there are potential complications that we may need to deal with soon. Our credit ratings are just too low for any loan (having climbed our way out of financial difficulties over the last few years) and friends or family can't help us anymore - they just don't have it. We have tried every charity and are not eligible due to earnings / not being on benefits etc and aside from the amounts we can scrape month by month - which isn't enough fast enough - we are running out of options. We need to get Roxie admitted and run full and thorough diagnostics urgently. As soon as we can diagnose we can get her on the right treatment, and Roxie has the chance of a good few more years - if not more depending on the outcome. If not? Well a diagnosis will help us make that decision with confidence we are doing the right thing for her, not because finances are getting in the way.

WHAT WE WILL DO WITH ANY FUNDS RAISED

We have an amazing vet now (we switched mid year) who has done her best to experiment with medication in lieu of tests where possible, without risking her health. Both her and the local pet hospital heart specialist have both agreed it's not time to give up, but she is in dangerous territory and diagnosis is urgent. That said, they also think following a 'piecemeal' approach to testing (due to us having funds in small batches) just isn't going to help us get to the route of her condition. We believe it could be Cushings Disease, but this is very difficult to diagnose and once it is you then need to find out if its a tumour in the brain or the adrenals. There is also signs of early heart disease / mitral valve heart issues that are likely under pressure from her condition too (typical for the Cavalier) and we also need to properly diagnose pneumonia or bronchitis with her current breathing difficulties to potentially get cover and the right treatment for her. Other wider theories include skin cancer or even tick or parasites, but they are less likely and at the end of the testing list once we cancel out the other possibilities. Plenty of bloods / urinalysis have been done through the year, but we do also need to keep redoing these really to keep an eye on her levels.

This amount will help us get the required diagnostics and if the conclusion is not primarily 'heart' related we may even be able to claim back some funds from our insurance who won't help until it is proven not to be her heart. This will then help us afford whatever her ongoing treatment will be. The insurance have 90-day limit on claims so sooner we can raise funds and get her treatment it's more likely we can recoup some of the cost and get the support we need going forward.

You can also view her old Just Giving campaign to see the journey we have been on thus far with her: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/roxie-le-roux

And here's some more photos of her beautiful face over the year... some with her best friend - 4-year old Cavachon Millie...

Before it all began..... full set of teeth and all