Hi, my dear friends!
Today I caught myself on the fact that for me it seems like the previous week continues. This is probably because my weekend was spent in the struggle for the Star’s life and I did not even notice them. It's a terrible experience when your pup just falls into your arms, her eyes stop, her breath becomes imperceptible. At that moment, I thought it was either a stroke or a heart. But subsequent tests gave us several diagnoses at once.
We spent two days at the clinic. For the next three days, I will do the procedures for her on my own, and on February 23 we will again go to the clinic for a follow-up examination and correction of drug treatment.
Fortunately, I have some experience and know how to give injections and put a drip. In her condition, the daily trips to the clinic would have been an added stress.
Unfortunately, I have to say that despite our efforts with the veterinarian, Star is still very weak. However, when I put her on an IV, she tried to run and hide. This made it a little more difficult for me, because I can’t move away from her, and this is sometimes necessary to see what other dogs are doing. Fortunately, after 10-15 minutes, she relaxed, calmed down and fell asleep.
In the meantime, I'm trying to figure out the diagnoses we have: ascites, hepatitis, and toxoplasmosis. And we're still waiting for the test result for leptospirosis. You might think: wow, a bouquet of diseases! But all this must be understood in such a way that there is one underlying disease that provoked everything else. We could probably use Dr. House to sort this out. But he, unfortunately, is a fictional character and we will have to cope on our own.
Canine ascites is a condition that can affect any breed of dog and it is characterized by an abnormal accumulation of fluid in the abdomen. This fluid can be the result of a number of different underlying conditions and can lead to a variety of health problems if left untreated. In most cases, the cause of the fluid accumulation is an underlying heart problem, but it can also be due to infection, cancer, or other factors. Symptoms of canine ascites include weight loss, increased urination, abdominal swelling, and difficulty breathing. If your dog exhibits any of these symptoms, it is important to seek veterinary care as soon as possible. Treatment will depend on the underlying cause, but in many cases, diet modification, diuretics, and medications can be used to help manage the condition. Taking the time to learn about canine ascites and the treatment options available can help you make the best decisions for your pup’s health and well-being. I want to say right away that, unfortunately, we will have to learn to live with this, because this disease is not cured completely. All that can be done is to constantly monitor the condition of Star, continue to support her body with medicines and, if necessary, refuse excess fluid from the abdominal cavity. That is, our life has changed forever and this must be understood.
Canine infectious hepatitis is an acute infectious disease caused by canine adenovirus type 1. The virus affects the spleen, kidneys, lungs, liver, the lining of blood vessels, and sometimes other organs. Symptoms can be very different - from mild fever, thirst or apathy to death.
Canine hepatitis is a viral disease that can affect dogs of all ages. The most common symptom is jaundice, which is when the dog's eyes and gums turn yellow. I did not see this symptom in Star, perhaps we went to the clinic in time and it still had time to manifest itself. This gives hope that her liver is not affected as badly as it could be. Other symptoms include fever, lethargy, and loss of appetite.
Canine toxoplasmosis is a parasitic disease that can be passed to dogs from infected cats. The most common symptom is diarrhea, but other symptoms can include vomiting, weight loss, and lethargy.
It must be said that if left untreated, canine hepatitis and canine toxoplasmosis can be fatal.
Vomiting was the symptom that showed up first. But in general, the sequence was like this. In the morning I had a cheerful dog with a great appetite. Around five o'clock in the afternoon, I saw that she was vomiting. But then it did not seem dangerous to me. But when half an hour later she lay down next to me, her eyes had a strange expression and she was breathing heavily. I began to suspect that something was going wrong. After another 15-20 minutes, I saw that her coordination of movements began to deteriorate and we immediately went to the clinic. At the same time, against the background of everything I said, she had a low temperature.
I also want to draw attention to the fact that all this happened despite the fact that Star has all the necessary vaccinations. I always keep a close eye on this, because with the number of animals that I have, the spread of any infection will be lightning fast. Nevertheless, it must be understood that no vaccination provides one hundred percent protection, but significantly increases the chances of survival.
The second thing I want to say is that if you notice any symptoms, you don't have to wait! You need to go to the veterinarian immediately. The meanness of the diseases that I am talking about here, in many respects, lies in the fact that they manifest themselves outwardly when there are already a large number of problems. For example, toxoplasmosis may have its first manifestation one year after infection. And if you already see the symptoms, then the situation becomes critical.