Thought I would share this tale to raise awareness in case it helps anyone else.
Our Whippet puppy, 7 months, started to become a little quieter than normal on 23rd December. Nothing specific, no vomiting/diarrhoea but not zooming around like her normal self.
By Xmas eve she was off her food but still no specific symptoms. She pooped in the house during the night and by the morning she was really poorly. No energy, refusing to look at food or drink. We called the vet who was great and met us at the surgery immediately.
Ruby was found to have a high temperature and the vet diagnosed collitis. Gave us antibiotics and a gel to bind her up.
She continued to get worse and we had to call the vet again on 30th December. vet did X rays and found her whole colon impacted with poo but no foreign bodies. Gave the poor dog an enema and send her home.
The whole time the dog is getting thinner and thinner, not eating/ drinking. She was very reluctant to move at all, not able to go up/down stairs at all. Temperature still sky high, becoming dehydrated.
Back to the vet who now thinks there may be a partial blockage in the gut not showing on the X Ray. Exploratory surgery revealed nothing abnormal at all.
Vet now out of ideas so offers to refer us to a specialist. Went to Cave veterinary in Wellington. We weren't in there more than 10 minutes when the vet says " I'm 95% sure this dog has meningitis"
Another GA and a spinal tap, revealed inflammation in the CSF (spinal fluid). Its definately meningitis but we are still waiting on blood work to confirm which type.
Ruby now on steroids and improving rapidly smile
Total vet bill accumulated since 23rd December now just over 3K.
Take home messages
1. If you possibly can, have pet insurance and 2. If your vet seems stumped, ask them if they have considered meningitis. Its not all that common but it DOES happen and peak incidence is in dogs under 2 years.
She's doing great now though.
Our Whippet puppy, 7 months, started to become a little quieter than normal on 23rd December. Nothing specific, no vomiting/diarrhoea but not zooming around like her normal self.
By Xmas eve she was off her food but still no specific symptoms. She pooped in the house during the night and by the morning she was really poorly. No energy, refusing to look at food or drink. We called the vet who was great and met us at the surgery immediately.
Ruby was found to have a high temperature and the vet diagnosed collitis. Gave us antibiotics and a gel to bind her up.
She continued to get worse and we had to call the vet again on 30th December. vet did X rays and found her whole colon impacted with poo but no foreign bodies. Gave the poor dog an enema and send her home.
The whole time the dog is getting thinner and thinner, not eating/ drinking. She was very reluctant to move at all, not able to go up/down stairs at all. Temperature still sky high, becoming dehydrated.
Back to the vet who now thinks there may be a partial blockage in the gut not showing on the X Ray. Exploratory surgery revealed nothing abnormal at all.
Vet now out of ideas so offers to refer us to a specialist. Went to Cave veterinary in Wellington. We weren't in there more than 10 minutes when the vet says " I'm 95% sure this dog has meningitis"
Another GA and a spinal tap, revealed inflammation in the CSF (spinal fluid). Its definately meningitis but we are still waiting on blood work to confirm which type.
Ruby now on steroids and improving rapidly smile
Total vet bill accumulated since 23rd December now just over 3K.
Take home messages
1. If you possibly can, have pet insurance and 2. If your vet seems stumped, ask them if they have considered meningitis. Its not all that common but it DOES happen and peak incidence is in dogs under 2 years.
She's doing great now though.
but 3k
