Family in appeal for help to fund life-saving treatment for pet dog Stonnie
A family near Lichfield is appealing to the community for help in funding life-saving treatment for their beloved dog.
The Martins’ two year-old Border Collie, Stonnie, has been diagnosed with an autoimmune disease which causes nerve damage leaving him ill and struggling to walk.
But the family, dad Rory, 32, mum Heidi, 32, and their sons, Jensen, nine, and Tanner, six, who live in Moat Way, Handsacre, are determined to try and give him the best possible care and a chance of life.
“We have had him since he was a puppy,” said Rory.
“Stonnie is a lovely, caring dog and was fun of energy. He is a young dog and we do not want to give up on him.
“We have another Border Collie, four-year-old Coast, and they are both part of the family. We do everything together.”
When the family noticed Stonnie was lethargic they sought advice from vets and were referred by Pool House Vets in Lichfield to The Willows, a specialist practice in Solihull.
The autoimmune disease, which sees Stonnie’s body attack itself, was diagnosed but the vets said there is hope for him.
Rory said: “If he was not treated, infection would set in. He would lose weight and it would be permanent – he would not survive.”
Stonnie is on six anti-inflammatory tablets a day and has started a course of Cytarabine, a drug which suppresses the immune system.
Reaching out
The Cytarabine injections – the “gold treatment” for his illness – are given once every three weeks. Six are administered at a cost of £750 each.
With consultations costing £300-£500 plus hydrotherapy and physiotherapy the bill for Stonnie’s treatment is set to run into thousands of pounds.
The family has set up a GoFundMe page with a target of £15,000. So far more than £2,000 has been raised.
Rory added: “The money raised goes to Stonnie’s bills and ongoing treatment
“So far we’ve had to borrow money as we cannot afford the ongoing medical treatment and we’re reaching out far and wide for help.
“The Border Collie Trust charity has paid £250 to Pool House Vets to go towards Stonnie’s Treatment which is unbelievable.
“We have a had a lot of people get in touch and donating and we would like to say a big thank you to them all.”
Anyone who is able to help is asked to visit “Stonnies fight for survival!” On GoFundMe and on Facebook.
