An Edinburgh dog owner has been left devastated as she can't afford to get her dying dog put down after the pooch was diagnosed with congestive heart failure.
Karen Stuart was heartbroken when she received the tragic diagnosis for her beloved pet earlier in summer last year.
Eight-year-old Chihuahua, Bella, could go into heart failure at any moment which would cause her lungs to fill with liquid from her failing heart causing her body to shut down.
After a motorbike accident left the Edinburgh pet owner housebound with severe anxiety and PTSD, Bella has become her best friend and helps take her mind off the severe pain.
Sadly there is no treatment for the disease but Karen can't afford the steep price to get her loved pet put down and would like to give her a dignified death without further suffering so has set up a fundraising page to cover the costs so Bella can peacefully pass to Rainbow Bridge.
Speaking to Edinburgh Live the heartbroken 47-year-old said: "She is only eight years old and was diagnosed in July with Congestive Heart Failure.
"She was give a life span of 6 to 12 months to live. This is the 6 month stage so I really wasn't expecting this to happen so quickly. The vet told me that Congestive heart failure in dogs occurs when the heart can't pump an adequate amount of blood to the body, thus causing an increase in pressure and fluid that eventually leaks into the lungs.
"This means she coughs trying to clear the fluids out of her little lungs. Sadly her health degenerated every month since her diagnosis in July and in the last two weeks her whole tiny body has been writhing trying to clear the fluids which doesn't ways work.
"It is awful to see. She is only 8 years old they usually live much longer. The vet told me yesterday that she could now either die choking or by heart attack and that it could happen at any time.
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"That would be so traumatic for her and I don't want that to be her last memory. She is the loveliest wee dog my best friend. I am am unable to work after an horrific motorbike accident left me disabled and suffering from complex regional pain syndrome both type 1 and 2.
"I am pretty much housebound now and have a wheelchair and crutches to manoeuvre about. So Bella has helped me with my PTSD and my anxiety and helps me take my mind off my severe pain."
