A family in Gloucestershire is grappling with devastating news after their dog Winnie was diagnosed with a serious neurological condition following a sudden collapse.
Winnie, a 9-and-a-half-year-old Perro de Presa Canario weighing over 50 kilograms, is often mistaken for a male dog or even a small pony due to her size. Despite this, her owners, Lauren Burgess and Kiran Chawda, say Winnie has always believed herself to be a lap dog.
Two weeks ago, Winnie suddenly lost control of her back legs and collapsed. Initially, her owners suspected a spinal issue, but after an emergency referral to neurological specialists, it was revealed that she is suffering from a grave neurological problem affecting her brain.
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Lauren, who resides between Stonehouse and Gloucester, described the gradual worsening of Winnie’s condition: “Her back legs and back collapsed, and over the days it was getting worse. She was tilted to one side. When we took her to the vets, they advised rest, so we brought her home. However, she continued to decline, which led us to seek specialist care. They confirmed it was a neurological problem rather than spinal, making it much more serious.”
Specialists are currently uncertain whether Winnie has inflammatory meningitis of the brain or terminal brain cancer, as a definitive diagnosis requires a brain biopsy.
Winnie is now at home receiving intensive treatment including chemotherapy and high-dose steroids. If the diagnosis is inflammatory meningitis, there is a 30% chance of survival.
Although euthanasia was suggested as an option, Lauren and Kiran refuse to give up on Winnie, who they say is still fighting. “She’s a stubborn dog and she is fighting, which motivates us. We had no idea meningitis could affect animals,” Lauren explained.
Winnie’s response to treatment has been encouraging; her neurological symptoms have improved, her personality is returning, and she even managed a 20-minute walk on 28 August, her first since falling ill.
Lauren added, “If she were to suddenly decline again and show visible pain, we would reconsider our options based on veterinary advice. But for now, because she’s fighting, we are fighting for her.”
Despite this hope, the family is facing significant financial strain. Veterinary bills have already reached approximately £8,000–£9,000, with only about £4,000 covered by insurance. Ongoing treatment could cost an estimated £1,000–£2,000 per month, potentially exceeding £20,000 within six months.
To help cover these costs, Lauren and Kiran have set up a GoFundMe page. They have never done this before but want to give Winnie every chance possible. They say each donation means “absolutely everything.”
Lauren said, “If you are able to donate anything towards Winnie’s treatment, no matter how small, we would be incredibly grateful. If you can’t donate, simply sharing her fundraiser, sending a kind message, or saying a little prayer for our girl means more than you know.”