From Albania to America—Mia’s journey to a better life hasn’t been easy, but she’s never stopped smiling. Before she even set paw on U.S. soil, Mia underwent major surgery to repair a diaphragmatic hernia. She had likely been hit by a car. We thought that would be her biggest hurdle, but once she arrived, we noticed something wasn’t right.

Mia breathes loudly through her nose like she’s always congested, so she has to breathe mostly through her mouth. Her right nostril couldn’t move air at all. Multiple rounds of antibiotics didn’t help. A CT scan revealed material in her right sinus, but cultures were negative. The next step was a rhinoscopy at NCSU Vet School to find out what was going on and how we could help her breathe comfortably.

Her diagnostics alone have already cost over $2300 and the rhinoscopy is another $3000.  With treatment still ahead, the expenses will only continue to climb.

Mia is gentle, brave, and full of love—and she deserves a future as bright as her spirit. She is now on medication and we continue to observe her response. She still breathes loudly but can now move air through her right nostril.