Peanut is a four-year-old Pit Bull in Simi Valley, CA, who needs $2,000 for an MRI and medical treatment.

Peanut was found as a stray and brought to a municipal animal control facility where he didn't stand a chance. Soon after he arrived staffers noticed Peanut struggling to walk, when he stood for too long, he shook. He also had a hard time breathing.

Shelter workers knew a rescue was Peanut's only hope and contacted Mark R., from Southern California Pit Bull Rescue. "They said they really needed us to step in to provide the proper medical care for him," Mark tells Waggle. "His care was well beyond the scope of what the shelter could afford. They aren't going to spend that kind of money, and who is going to adopt a dog like that?"

Mark knew Peanut would likely face economic euthanasia if he remained at the shelter. "I wasn't going to let him die," he says.

So Mark rushed to the shelter and found they weren't exaggerating; Peanut is in bad shape. "He often has to eat lying down because he can't stand well. Even if he tries to walk a half-mile, he has to stop about 25 times. He also has head tremors," Mark says.

The next step is for Peanut to have an MRI to help diagnosis his issues, but the scan is expensive. Veterinarians believe Peanut could have some myelopathy, an infection in his spinal cord, or he could be suffering from the long-term effects of Distemper.

Though Peanut's diagnosis is unknown, Mark does know that Peanut is one of the sweetest dogs he has had in his rescue. "We feel blessed actually that someone dumped him because he landed with us," Mark says. "Dogs like this are why I started my rescue. He just wants to put his head in my lap constantly and is so loving. We are honored to have him in our care."

Please help the rescue figure out Peanut the Pit Bull's medical mystery so he can get the care he needs!