Dunkan's Diagnostic Dilemma

Hey, all you animal lovers and Dunkan enthusiasts!

As you know, Dunkan was recently diagnosed with a "degenerative neurological disease". After several tests (CBC, hormone test, etc.), which all came back "normal", he was started on a series of steroid injections that would reduce any swelling he might have had in his brain. This was a shot in the dark and could have gone either way, but luckily, Dunkan responded to the therapy, which proved that his brain had been swollen. This, coupled with the neurological exam, proved he is in fact suffering from a neurological disease. Because this therapy was successful, Dunkan has been started on a regimen of medicine that he needs to take twice a day for the rest of his life.

The difficulty is that the cost for a complete diagnosis is quite staggering, so the vet and I agreed to go from Step 1 (initial exam and blood work) straight to Step 3 (treatment options), while skipping Step 2 (diagnostic MRI). So, while we have our treatment options, we do not yet know the exact cause of his symptoms.

The vet said that his "fly biting" symptoms are quite uncommon, and categorized them as "partial complex seizures". He said that Dunkan's disorientation and aggression after waking up could also be symptoms of his disease. The medication he is currently on is a steroid that will control these symptoms, but it is not a cure.

With your big hearts (and open wallets), we are hoping to be able to afford the MRI, which will tell us more about his exact condition. The cost for an MRI on just one part of the brain is a whopping 660,000 won, and that's for just one part of the brain.

So, as it stands, here is the cost breakdown:

Vet fee........................................... 7,700 won
Hospitalization................................ 22,000 won
CBC, hormone tests........................ 130,000 won
Neurological exam.......................... 44,000 won
MPSS steroid injections.................... 110,000 won
1wk medication............................... FREE!

**** I paid out-of-pocket for the above charges.

1 brain lobe MRI............................... 660,000 won
additional MRI scans......................... 200,000 won

Fundraising goal: 1,000,000 won

The cost of the MRI is so high because of the technology and the sedation Dunkan will need in order to have the scan done. The vet will not know how many scans will be needed until they begin. He will scan the part of the brain that is most likely the source of Dunkan's neurological disease, but there is a chance that the origin is in a different part of the brain, which is when other parts of the brain would need to be scanned (the additional 200,000 won scans).

I know this situation seems insurmountable, but Dunkan has come so far and beat the odds to just get to where he is today. He has overcome heartworm, a "cherry eye", an intestinal bacteria that required surgery, a terrible ear infection, a bacterial skin infection, and FOURTEEN teeth extractions, only to be stuck with this neurological disease. He barely escaped from a dog hoarder, and made it out of the shelter alive, only to be adopted by a girl who didn't even care enough to give him any basic care at all. He is on a limited time frame and successfully diagnosing his condition will go a long way toward getting him into his new home. Please considering helping Dunkan during this "last hoorah", so at last, we can get him in the shape he needs to be in order to find what he most deserves: a home!

Donation details:

Amanda Swearingen
Woori Bank
1002-940-146730

NEW PAYPAL INFO!!!

Account: [email protected]

Thank you everyone for caring about Dunkan! Be sure to post a message if you donate!!! :o)