Support needed for Kash & his family!
Kash’s guardian volunteers for our community support team and helps many other families in our community with their needs. Today though, they’re coming to you with a request for help for her own dog, who is going through some behavioral and possibly medical challenges and needs financial assistance.
At @petunityproject, we often see dogs demonstrating behavioral challenges because of untreated medical issues. We want to dispel the myth that dogs who are in pain “show it” by holding up a paw or licking a leg. Those physical signs of pain are what people often watch for, but are not very common displays of pain - especially in our strong and athletic bully breeds. Most dogs who are experiencing chronic pain actually more often display a short temper, appear to be bothered by loud noises or experience an observable behavior change all of a sudden as a sign of pain.
Kash is experiencing all of those things right now: a short temper and impatience with his dog brother. A disproportional reaction to loud noises and observable behavior changes. To keep him and his brother and his family safe, we ordered a @muzzle.movement muzzle that fits him appropriately. Kash’s guardian already had a great resource in @force_free_dc trainer Joe, and Joe helped fit him appropriately for the muzzle and is working with them on muzzle training. @petunityproject volunteers are troubleshooting Kash’s shared space in the home, his enrichment, the family’s supplies and schedule.
Where we can use your help: We found an amazing vet who specializes in behavior and the intersection between behavior and pain to assess him and see what is going on with him physically. He has something “off” about the way he runs and sits, which could indicate pain. He shows all the signs behaviorally that there’s something going on. On October 30th, 2025, Kash was sedated, had full bloodwork done, x-rays, a neuter, a pain screening and got his updated vaccinations while he was out. The incredible vet allowed us to set up a payment plan to pay off the total cost ($1,677.35 after discounts) of this full-day of work up. We have some information on his physical challenges and have ruled some things out, but still have a ways to go. In the meantime, we have to pay off the cost of this full work-up from the vet and assist Kash's guardian with whatever the next steps may be.