Cleo

About the Campaign

Cleo is an 8-year-old female Maltese mix with two fractured bones in her lower jaw. She was injured during an accident with another dog, and although she already had surgery in June, the jaw has not healed the way everyone hoped.

At the first surgery, the doctor removed damaged teeth and tried to realign Cleo’s jaw, hoping scar tissue would form and help fuse the jawbone together. But when Cleo went back in August for new X-rays, they showed that the scar tissue had not formed at all. Now the vet says the damaged jawbone needs to be removed, and they are worried the other side could fracture because the jaw is still unstable. Click x-rays to enlarge image:

Cleo is currently wearing a soft muzzle to help hold her jaw together. She has already had 14 teeth removed and has been through months of medication, X-rays, surgery, and follow-up care. The hopeful news is that her vet says Cleo can still live a functional life after this next surgery, but she needs help getting there.

Jennifer has had Cleo since she was 17. Her parents may have found Cleo on Craigslist, Jennifer isn’t sure. But Jennifer does remember Cleo the playful little puppy who seemed to choose her right away. She was tiny, cute, full of energy, and Jennifer felt an immediate connection. Cleo has been her dog ever since.

Jennifer has already spent about $1,500 to $1,700 on Cleo’s care, including medications, X-rays, and the first surgery. She recently finished auto collision repair school in June, but has not been able to work for the past two months because Cleo needed so much care. She is going to a job fair and trying hard to find work, but right now she has no income and is running out of savings.

Jennifer lives with her parents, who helped with the first round of care, but they cannot cover another surgery. Her father is the only one working, as a welder, and the family may only be able to help a small amount. Donations will help cover Cleo’s jaw surgery, anesthesia, pain medication, follow-up X-rays, and recovery care so this little dog can finally be stable, comfortable, and able to live normally again. All donations are paid only to the veterinarian. Estimate below (click to enlarge):