A Bristol family has been left devastated after discovering the cost of cancer treatment for their beloved St Bernard, Hercules, is far beyond their means—largely due to his impressive size. The gentle giant, who weighs a substantial 11 stone 7 pounds (around 73kg), recently received a diagnosis of lymphoma, thrusting his owners into an emotional and financial struggle.
Katie Bridge, Hercules’s owner, first noticed something was wrong when he began to suffer from persistent stomach problems and a lack of appetite. Alarmed by his weight loss and reluctance to eat, Katie, a 33-year-old mother of two, ferried him to the vet where a series of tests, including blood work and a stool analysis, painted a troubling picture.
Further investigations, including an ultrasound, revealed inflammation in Hercules’s lymph nodes. A subsequent biopsy confirmed every pet owner’s worst fear: cancer. Specifically, the diagnosis pointed to lymphoma, a type of cancer that, while serious, can sometimes be managed effectively with the right treatment.
However, in Hercules’s case, the treatment costs have been substantially inflated by his size. At 5ft 9ins tall when standing on his hind legs, the immense St Bernard requires 13 steroid tablets each day, along with rigorous weekly chemotherapy sessions. This has resulted in enormous bills—costing far more than similar treatment would for a smaller breed.
Speaking about the situation, Katie expressed her heartbreak: “It was awful. I was in the shop when I got the call confirming cancer. I just burst into tears. You always fear the worst with news like this—it felt like a death sentence.”
Despite having pet insurance, the family’s policy has not been nearly enough to cover the expensive specialist treatments. It quickly became apparent that, without outside help, Hercules’s life would be cut tragically short. “Every vet appointment usually cost us a few hundred pounds, but specialist care skyrocketed the bills. We’ve already exhausted our insurance, so now we find ourselves relying on the goodwill of others,” Katie explained.
After much deliberation, Katie launched a GoFundMe campaign to help raise the estimated £8,000 needed for the complete course of chemotherapy, not including costs already incurred from prior biopsies and diagnostic appointments. “If he were a smaller dog, say a Chihuahua, treatment would be a fraction of the cost. But everything is magnified by his size,” Katie added.
Hercules, known for his affectionate and somewhat comical nature, has previously captured social media attention for attempting to curl up in laps, seemingly unaware of his massive stature. Katie noted, “He truly thinks he’s a lapdog. We have to warn guests not to sit on the floor or they’ll find themselves with 73 kilos of love on their lap!” The family hopes that with treatment, Hercules might achieve remission and enjoy up to two more years of happy life, even though the form of cancer he has cannot be fully cured.
The local community has rallied in support, as have Hercules’s 11,500 Instagram followers, offering both emotional encouragement and donations. “We’ve been overwhelmed by the kindness from our neighbours and people all over the world. Hercules is a bit of a celebrity around here—you don’t meet a St Bernard every day in Bristol,” Katie said.
For the Bridge family, Hercules is more than a pet; he’s a central figure in their lives. “He’s the best. Our home wouldn’t be the same without him,” Katie reflected. “We’re committed to doing everything we can to give him the best chance.”
Donations for Hercules’s ongoing care can be made via his dedicated GoFundMe page, as the family continues their campaign to give their four-legged friend the fighting chance he deserves.