A HEARTBROKEN family of a 12-week-old puppy who suddenly fell ill from a rare liver disease are struggling to cover his vet bills.

Adorable Labrador puppy Odin has become a massive part of the Grace family - and he was gifted as a birthday present to Leo who just turned 15.

After 24 hours of settling into his new home, Odin started to become unwell showing signs of being "lethargic and lifeless" and he "didn't want to eat or play".

He was rushed to the Pets at Home vets in Wycombe Marsh on Monday, March 13. 

Mother-of-three Kelly said: "We contacted them [Pets at Home] and they said to bring him in. 

"We were absolutely devasted and told to prepare for the worse.

"They kept him in for the day, under observation and he was cared for under fluids. They did blood tests and I got the dreaded phone call that he has signs of liver failure. He was then referred to specialists."

Odin was diagnosed with a condition called Portosystemic shunt (PSS), or more commonly known as liver shunt. 

A liver shunt occurs when an abnormal vessel forms between the portal vein or one of its branches, and another vein, allowing blood to bypass the liver.

"Pets at home are fantastic and have worked closely with the insurance company as at the time there was no obvious signs of the condition. Thankfully we got £4,000 worth of cover which is a massive help but the insurance money is being eaten away very very quickly

"He’s on medication now so he has to have antibiotics three times a day, and lactulose once a day as gets a build-up of toxins as his liver isn’t filtering the toxins. 

"Odin is on special dog food too which costs £39 for a 3kg bag and must be fed several times a day."

There is a special operation which Odin can have when he turns nine months old but this costs anywhere between £8,000 to £10,000.

"We've raised under £2,000 in less than 48 hours and we have got time between now and end of the year to get the money to pay for the operation," Kelly said.

"We're overwhelmed with the support so far and people are being really really generous.

"We bought Odin two weeks tomorrow (March 9) for my son’s 15th birthday as Leon's birthday present. It's been very emotional I suppose as it is meant to be such a happy time."

Kelly's three children have struggled to come to terms with Odin's health. 

Ms Grace said: "They haven’t coped, it's absolutely heartbreaking. The older two understand the severity, with my toddler you can kind of explain things but she was unsettled when Odin had to stay overnight. She kept asking 'Mummy, where is Odin?' I'd explain to her that 'he's at the doggy doctor's as he’s very poorly'.

"He’s her best friend, she absolutely loves him and follows him everywhere - they have a budding friendship." 

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