Asking for help

[Cristina]

I received sam as a gift from my older brother Michael. I have suffered from asthma and allergies since i was a child and i learned about Bichon Frise's when i was in High School. They were said to be hypo-allergenic and just the most adorable things i have ever seen. My brothers have always has dogs of there own when they left to college, so i wanted my turn at having a dog myself. I have been a dog lover since i could remember, but due to my allergies i thought i could never have one. When Sam came into my life it was absolutely love at first sight. He has been with me since he was a puppy and i have enjoyed every single day with him since then. He is my son and my world. He has been with me throughout some very stressful time in my life and i am grateful to him. He is absolutely the best friend any person could have. As a 23 year old female, i can honestly say apart from my boyfriend....Sam is the love of my life.
Sam was diagnosed with Cataracts in both eyes yesterday by a eye specialist. Although i think he could have been diagnosed with things that are much worse, this news cut me to the core. Since sam is probably the first thing i have ever been responsible for other then myself, i feel a natural loyalty to him. He is as much a son to me as any child will be for me in the future. He is the first dog i have had as my own due to my asthma and allergies and because of that i think of him as such a little gift. I have always been an animal lover and Sam has given me the opportunity to finally have a dog.
As a struggling grad student, i have very limited funds, and when i say limited (i mean i make $450 every two weeks tutoring children). I make the bare minimum to take care of my my car payments and Sam and myself. I don't pay rent thank god since i live with my older brother but time are really tough.
With news of Sam's condition it will not take me a second thought if he is given the option to have cataract surgery. No matter the cost i have faith that the money will come from somewhere. I am writing this post to ask for any donations anyone can possible give. Even if its a dollar, trust me its a dollar i dont have.
My brother is self taught in web development, so if anyone would like a website made possibly for a business or anything. He is willing to work hard for his sister and her dog.
In addition i am working on my psychology doctorate. I promise in the future i will offer anyone my therapy services. I wont forget anyones kindness. I already have seen by the responses i have received in the form of advice and kinds words for Sam on this site that i have faith there there are more generous and sweet people out there. Please respond. Ill appreciate anything.

Attached is the chip in link. If there is anything that anyone can donate it would be so appreciated... I will be seeing Sam's eye specialist on the 17th. We are going to discuss possible payment options along with the full amount that is going to be required for the surgery. Any assistance will be great. I just want to restore my dogs sight.

[Vladimir]

Please also consider transitioning Sam to a more natural diet as a means to support his eye health. This means high protein/low carb/only moderate fat, and with NO grains. An interesting article online for you is What's Really in Pet Food, @ http://www.api4animals.org/facts.php?p=359&more=1

[Cristina]

Thank you so much for the advice. I have already begun Sam on his diet as advised by his doctor. We have already ruled out diabetes which was one of my biggest concerns. Im so grateful that he is still healthy. He has transitioned to the WD diet really well, and seems to like that food way better then his usual dog food. Im actually really very happy about that. All i am waiting for now is to see the estimate which will be told to me on the 17th regarding his surgery. I have already been told that it can be really pricy. It ranges from 1-2 thousand. I think if i could muster up 1000 in donations i could possibly work out some sort of a payment plan with his doctor. She seems very understanding. Thanks again for the response, i really appreciate it.

[Vladimir]

Why WD? This is typically prescribed for weight management, (and often connected to diet for a diabetic pet, for example) as part of a reduced fat diet (although, fat is typically not an issue for dogs: excess carbohydrates is). Is your dog overweight, and what is the connection to his cataracts? You can reduce a dog (or cat's) weight easily and more naturally (that is, in a way more natural to the animal's physiology) than with a "prescription diet." You do that by reducing useless and non-nutritious carbohydrates, not by focusing on fat and adding in undigestible fibers, which many prescription diets do: and they still leave your pet protein starved. When health issues strike, you need to learn about canine nutrition YOURSELF (just the basics, really), and you can then make decisions yourself about food, very easily. You will never need to ask anyone "what food should I buy?" since you can do this yourself right at the store, by reading labels which you will now understand. This isn't about contradicting your vet: it is about learning and being competent to ask questions, and work within your pet's natural food needs. Try your library for Dr. Pitcairn's book, for example, it has been arond for decades and will be there for free. Or online, rummage through Dr. Michael Fox's website for many interesting and informative articles.

[Cristina]

Thanks so much. I'm going to look into it. That was really helpful. I have been keeping him on the WD since it was prescribed at first by the doctor while she simply looked to see if he has diabetes. She said that cataracts sometimes develop due to being diabetic. We tried the food and he just really liked it. I chose to keep it but i do give him protein as well. I havent given him any people food, which he used to get sometimes. Other then that i think he now has a healthier appetite then he used to. He has never been over weight, but he just never used to eat as much. I think he likes the change of diet now. He is enjoying the food that he gets. Thank god.