Owner’s relief after dog battles back from illness
A MUCH-LOVED dog was left fighting for his life after collapsing with a common illness.
Pet labrador George suffered acute kidney failure after his condition worsened with vets left to battling to save him.
At first, owner Dr Tony John thought he may have eaten something toxic after the dog collapsed into a barely conscious state. The pet was referred to Northwest Veterinary Specialists (NWVS) in Runcorn.
Francesca Venier, a specialist in internal medicine, said: “This was a really dramatic case as George was suffering from a condition known as HE, which stands for haemorrhagic enteritis.
“This is a well-known syndrome in dogs that leads to severe haemorrhagic diarrhoea and vomiting and, if left untreated, can be fatal as it can lead to profuse fluid loss and septic shock.
“In George’s case, the fluid loss had been so severe that it had led to acute kidney injury which meant he required urgent and extensive treatment.
“He received intensive fluid therapy, intravenous antibiotic therapy, pain relief, anti-nausea and prokinetic therapy, which increases the movement of ingested material through the gastrointestinal tract.
“He responded remarkably and has made an amazing recovery and is now completely back to normal.”
George has now been reunited with his relieved and “extremely grateful” owner.
Dr John said: “We were very concerned as during the illness, there were additional complications regarding potential kidney failure and, because of Covid-19, we were left two-and-a-half hours away from the NWVS hospital in Runcorn.”
He said NWVS bridged the distance by delivering an “outstanding” level of communication and regular updates on George’s condition and his treatment.
He added: “Even after discharge, Francesca still remains available for queries and, without fail, returns calls as soon as she becomes available.”