Ponder's Illness

Ponder got sick in late December. He has been diagnosed with Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia.

http://autoimmunedisease.suite

101.com/article.cfm/canine_hemolytic_anemia

In short, he has an autoimmune disease where his body kills off his own red blood cells. His case is a bit more severe as it is happening in the bone marrow and not in the blood stream. The prognosis is 50/50 with this disease but so far he has been responding positively to the medications and my vet is hopeful.

It is possible that there is another disease at work as well. We are still running tests to see if we can figure anything else out.

The treatment and care for Ponder has been very tough and being that my family is back in

Connecticut and I live in Arizona, my two dogs are my family here. I desperately want to be able to provide for Ponder the care that he needs to get better, but it has become a financial burden.

How to Help

I am asking for help. Caring for Ponder has become financially difficult and emotionally draining.

If you can help in one of the following two ways, I'd greatly appreciate it.

1. Think good thoughts. Send positive energy our way. Pray. Wish him a speedy recovery.

2. Assist in his care financially. I cannot figure out a good way to accept donations online, but you can donate one of the following three ways:

I. send money to a paypal account set up especially for Pennies for Ponder (the email attached to it is justine.farenga@gmail.com).

II. Call my Vet - Dr. Lee Watson at Gilbert Veterinary Hospital (http://www.gilbertvet.com/) and ask how you can help in the treatment plan for Ponder.

III. Send a check with Pennies for Ponder in the memo section directly to me. (please email me at justine.farenga@gmail.com for my mailing address)

Thank you!

Saturday March 20th, 2010

Today has been a rough day. I have decided to put my anxious energy towards a good cause and have started this Blog.

Ponder went to see Dr. Watson yesterday and his numbers had not improved. He is lethargic and the high dose of Prednisone he is on is taking it's toll. I jokingly call him Skeletor now, as the steroid causes muscle degeneration and he looks a bit bony. He's tired and today has pretty much just wanted to sleep and lay on the couch next to me.

I have spent a lot of money caring for Ponder so far...more than I'm willing to admit online :) I am now asking for help. I spoke to Dr. Watson today and she said that she is hopeful and that while his red blood cell count didn't show improvement, overall he has responded to the medication positively.

I just wish he'd get better!

I created a Cause on Facebook and am working hard to figure out how to accept donations online. I created a paypal account. I think that you can just send money to a friend using their email (justine.farenga@gmail.com).

Think good thoughts.