Support Kaizer: Family appeals for help as German Shepherd battles severe illness
A nine-year-old German shepherd from Monument is battling a serious spinal or bone infection that has left him unable to walk, prompting his family to seek urgent community support.
A Monument family is appealing to the community for assistance as their beloved nine-year-old German shepherd, Kaizer, battles a severe illness that has left him struggling to stand or walk.
According to owner Bronwyn Wevers, Kaizer’s health has deteriorated significantly in recent months, with worsening mobility and persistent pain.
The family’s veterinarian initially suspected osteomyelitis, a serious bone infection that can cause intense pain and weakness. There is also concern that the condition may be discospondylitis, an infection affecting the spine that can result in severe discomfort, difficulty standing and progressive mobility loss.
“Over time, his condition has worsened to the point where he struggles to stand and cries out in pain when touched, which shows how much discomfort he lives with daily,” Bronwyn said.
She described Kaizer as a loyal and intuitive companion who has supported the family through significant personal loss and emotional hardship.
“Kaizer is not just a pet to us; he is truly part of our family. He has been our emotional support through some of the hardest seasons of our lives. He stood by us through depression, heartbreak, the passing of my husband, the loss of my brother and then my mother,” she said.
Bronwyn said Kaizer is known for his gentle nature and playful personality, often greeting the family at the door with an object in his mouth as if presenting a gift. He especially enjoyed car rides and would eagerly anticipate visits to McDonald’s, where he became accustomed to receiving an ice cream treat.
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With his condition rapidly declining, the family has launched a BackaBuddy campaign to assist with urgent veterinary care.
“He is getting weaker by the minute, and his pain is becoming more severe. We are extremely concerned that time is not on his side. His ability to stand and move has declined rapidly, and we believe he needs urgent intervention to prevent further suffering.”
Community members who wish to assist can contribute via the family’s BackaBuddy campaign: https://www.backabuddy.co.za/campaign/kaizer-my-loyal-protector-needs-help
