This is Fredd

He needs your help!

Fredd came to Young At Heart from an open admission shelter where he was to be euthanized because of his age. When Fredd arrived to YAH, we were amazed at his wonderful personality and temperament. He was always eager to meet new people, kiss kids that came to pet him, and was just a happy-go-lucky little guy. As Fredd spent more time in his foster home, it became apparent that Fredd was having trouble getting his back end in gear- he would drag his toes and sometimes even have to pull his back end up by dragging it forward with his front end. So Fredd was off to a Neurological consult. MRI results showed that Fredd’s problem was not neurological, but a trauma-induced injury. Two of Fredd’s discs were crushed, putting pressure on Fredd’s spinal cord and causing atrophy beyond the injury site. If we didn’t do something fast, Fredd would lose the use of his back legs completely!

Of course, we agreed to immediate surgery!

After the surgeon operated on Fredd, he told us that Fredd had to have been in excruciating pain. We were shocked and saddened to hear that, because Fredd acted happy and sweet the entire time, never once letting on the level of pain he was actually in. The even sadder part is that vet said that, without a doubt, Fredd’s injury was caused by someone kicking him. For a dog to have been abused to that level and still love people so much is amazing to us, though we witness it again and again. Fredd went through surgery beautifully, and within days had full use of his back legs. It looked like Fredd was in the clear!

Last week, however, Fredd had a setback, and had to undergo a second surgery. The bone that had started to die off in Fredd’s backbone before his initial surgery had caused an infection in his spinal cord post-surgery, re-paralyzing Fredd’s back legs. Fredd underwent surgery as second time to remove the infected tissue and to stop a small bleed. He is now in recovery, and we hope after his follow-up appointment on November 7th, he can being his water therapy to regain the strength in his back legs. Fredd may never walk like a “normal” dog again, but he will now be pain-free and able to live day to day without suffering. He’s not out of the woods yet, but now he has every chance to live a life of comfort.

Young At Heart has spent over $4500 getting Fredd back on the road to being pain-free, and we could really use your help! We are currently in the process of applying for grants to help with Fredd’s surgery and therapy costs, but Fredd could use your support, too! As most of you know, we’ll do anything for the dogs and cats in our care, and the only reason we can do that is because of wonderful supporters like you!

Please consider sponsoring Fredd today. Any amount helps and goes directly to Fredd’s veterinary bills. And we’ll tell Fredd about each and every generous sponsor to give him reason to work even harder on wagging his tail!

To make a donation via e-check, credit or debit card, please click here:

I WANT TO SPONSOR FREDD!

To make a donation via check or money order, please send it to:
 Young at Heart, PO Box 1293, Palatine IL 60078.

If you cannot sponsor Fredd today, please say a prayer, make a wish, and think good thoughts for a speedy recovery for him.

Thank you!

If you have any questions, please email us at info@yahpetrescue.com or call us at 847-529-2025.