The sudden onset of symptoms indicated some severe internal infection at work breaking the body down rapidly. Each 24 hours took a turn for the worse. Xrays were done, full diagnostic blood work and we were faced with possibilities, possibilities, possibilities but no clear indications of the cause. Not that we didn't have a medical professional on hand who didn't know his stuff. This Doctor was thorough, interested in the patient and conscientious. The Doc had to make a decision. Go with this possibility or the other one while life hangs by a thread and time takes with it another weak breath of life. Administer this treatment or that? One incorrect decision meant a loss of precious time. I witnessed the Russian roulette being necessarily played. I didn't envy the Doc. I grappled with my own fears and sadness.
Six days ago our Flower Fa got hit by a super infection. Her WBC (white blood cell) count was alarmingly high indicating the body was fighting an infection. Sudden loss of appetite, depression, inability to stand, abdominal tenderness, vomiting. All this came so suddenly when she was eating well, energetic and actually gaining weight like never before.
Fa was hit by a serious infection about a month earlier with the same symptoms. She pulled through. Now this time the symptoms were more severe and progressed to affect the kidneys and liver. In 2 days she was jaundiced and showed signs of bruising all over her underbelly and ears as her blood clotting factor was compromised. The vet had hoped that her earlier 2 weeks on antibiotics would have knocked out the infection but it seems it has been lurking.
Two possibilities surfaced. The infection could be related to surgical procedures during her recent spaying or Leptospirosis. Leptospirosis is a contagious bacterial disease affecting both animals and humans that can result in chronic liver and kidney disease and fatality in the dog. The most common modes of transmission of the infection occurs with contact with infected rat urine or ingestion of urine-contaminated water like blocked sewers and drains or swimming in ponds. Less common modes of infection are through the membranes of the eyes, abrasions or bite wounds, or ingestion of the flesh from infected animals such as rats, raccoons, skunks or opossums. Suburban and urban areas see less of this disease although decaying cities must be a host to goodness knows what armies of rats.
Dr Y made his decision and thankfully Fa has responded to the treatment. She's still surviving on a drip but 2 days ago she managed to eat one hard boiled egg I brought her and then collapsed in exhaustion, hardly able to sit up. Yesterday she ate 2 eggs AND some boiled fish! She's pulled through for now. We're waiting to see what next in case danger is still lurking.
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Fa weak and depressed, barely able to hold herself up
the Liz collar is to prevent her from wrenching her drip out
I was suddenly reminded yesterday that in the last year that I lived in Bali, our night watchman came down with a severe infection attributed to rat pee. He was so ill and weak he stayed in bed for weeks. Thankfully he recovered over a long period of time. So it's a good thing to be cautious when rats are enjoying the run of the house and work on immediate elimination or it'll be the rats who'll be playing house!
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