Western Daily Press (Saturday)
Alpine air cures Daisy the dog of suspected coronavirus
ACOUPLE told to take their Covid-stricken dog to enjoy her last holiday were left stunned after she made a miracle recovery thanks to the fresh mountain air in the Alps.
Owners Pete and Mo Murden were left devastated when their Jack Russell cross Daisy was given only weeks to live after contracting suspected coronavirus.
The eight-year-old dog was rushed to a vets with typical symptoms including coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath and was given a lung wash.
Vets in Somerset advised the couple to still take Daisy on a holiday to the French Alps which they had booked as it could be the last one they got to enjoy together.
Upon returning from their break, the couple took Daisy back to the vets and were left amazed to find her lungs were completely clear.
She is now back home after making a full recovery, carrying out her remarkable work acting as a diabetic detection dog for Pete.
Pete, of Exeter, said: “Daisy had constant coughing, loss of smell and taste, loss of appetite and a raging temperature, all symptoms of Covid19.
“She went from being a healthy, active bundle of fun and energy to a sick, lethargic poorly dog in a few hours.”
Daisy was taken to Cave Veterinary Specialists, in Wellington, where experts diagnosed Daisy with a consolidated right cranial lung lobe.
Clinical director and internal medicine specialist, Nele Van den Steen said the cause of the condition was unclear – and that Covid-19 could not be ruled out.
Evidence has shown coronavirus can be transmitted to dogs but there is no evidence they can spread it to humans.
The Murdens had their holiday booked and Nele suggested they take Daisy and enjoy what could be her last few weeks, armed with a large supply of medication.
But after many long walks and cycle rides in the mountain air, Daisy’s symptoms subsided and she is now full of life.
Pete added: “Daisy is a bundle of joy and travels everywhere with us. Cave’s care, dedication, treatments, lung wash, medication, skill and devotion to looking after animals saved Daisy.
“The clean pure mountain air in the Alps also helped to heal her lungs.”
Daisy was adopted by the couple when she was four and immediately showed she was worth her weight in gold to diabetic Pete.
Just three days after being adopted, Daisy started scratching Pete’s leg and wouldn’t stop, leading him to test his blood sugars, which were low.
As soon as he took some glucose, Daisy stopped scratching and went back to playing around the house.
The beloved family pet has been acting as Pete’s early warning system ever since, as she can detect low blood sugars before he can.
Pete added: “Daisy wasn’t trained to pick up my low blood sugars.
“It’s something my diabetes specialist professor is also very interested in as Daisy picked it up so quickly with absolutely no training.”