Medical Care for Max the Rescue Dog

Hello All!

Thank you very much for taking the time to visit Max's page. He has had a long journey trying to get free of all his ailments. His latest issue ended up requiring extensive surgery and it was an expense we were not ready to handle. So we are asking for help please. Thank you for your time and support, we are grateful <3

You can check out more pictures of Maximus' journey so far in this Google Photos album (please copy and paste): http://bit.ly/maximuspics

-- ABOUT MAXIMUS --

Maximus (aka Checkers because when found, "he's gotta eat"), was found in the orange groves of Central Florida on death's door. He was severely underweight, had skin infections, ringworm, mange, ear infections... his immune system was shot. So we began the journey of getting him to a healthy weight and clearing up his skin. As you can see in the photo album shared above, he is super cute and mostly healthy :) Maximus' most favorite thing in the world is human contact. He loves people and loves to be loved.

-- PAST & RECENT MEDICAL TROUBLE --

Maximus' skin, stomach, and ears are very sensitive. Being on death's door will do that to your immune system - it's never really the same. We've been able to get his skin condition and sensitive stomach under control, but no veterinarian has yet to successfully diagnose and cure the infections that constantly plague his ears.

Because of the ear infections, his strong shakes puts him at high risk of causing aural hematomas. Last year, Max had to have his left ear treated for a hematoma and surgically reconstructed, with all the capillaries tied off to prevent any future hematomas in that ear.

This October, Max ended up with a hematoma in his right ear. The hematoma was so bad and full, he ended up tearing his ear open. We needed to take him to an emergency vet for stitches (since it was a Sunday). The veterinarian also needed to surgically remove tissue that apparently had become necrotic :(

Then a follow up surgery the next day. The follow up surgery removed the remaining necrotic tissue, drained the hematoma again, and reconstructed his ear.

This veterinarian has us confident though that they will be able to get rid of the infections that plague Maximus' ears once and for all.

-- FINANCIAL ISSUES --

This fundraiser is to help pay for the two surgeries that Maximus has had on his right ear this month. There are still plenty of bills to go, as we have more vet visits in our future to take care of the infection once and for all, but the big hits of the surgeries is what we really need help with.

In the past, we've put ourselves in a bit of debt due to medical bills like this, but we've managed to keep treading water. This time, the cost was too great and we have to take on new debt to make sure Max can be taken care of. So this is where friends, family, and good Samaritans who have the ability to give come in. We've always been the givers, and never in the position to ask to receive. We're not used to asking for help like this, but God knows we need it - and we're optimistic that there are plenty of angels out there who can answer the call. <3