Holly's Story

Holly’s symptoms first started on a Saturday morning (approx 7.00) while we were in the park, she started vomiting bile.

I then went to the hound show in Stafford and on my return I was faced with blood stained vomit all over the dining room floor (How guilty was I for leaving her, but you just get used to them being sick and then being okay very quickly)!!!!!! This was now about 2.30pm.

I took her immediately to the vets and she received an antibiotic injection and was sent home with that hydrating powder, which no one ever drinks! During this time she was very lethargic and slept on my bed.

At about 09.00pm there was an awful smell coming from upstairs, nothing I have ever smelt before, very acidy (my friend works for DEFRA and spoke to one of the vets and she said there is a distinctive smell with this condition). There was blood all over the landing, which she had passed from her tail end.

I phoned the vets and at this time she thought it might be okay! Later, there was blood in the conservatory, now this time the vet said to take her in, this was now 11.00pm. When we arrived at the vets she passed a lot more blood from her rear end. She was put on a drip and I left at about 12.00.

Holly had diarrhoea until Monday, and remained on her drip until Tuesday and was allowed to come home that evening.

I was just sent home with antibiotics (Synolox), which she is still having and tins of chicken and rice. She has her antibiotics twice a day, to be taken until next week.

She was given a vitamin K injection when she was first treated as her symptoms were that of poisoning as well, so this was just precautionary for the blood clotting.

During her stay she was treated with antibiotics, her drip not sure what was in there probably glucose and potassium stuff) also they added vitamins.

Her diet is little and often of the chicken and rice. Holly has to remain on a light diet, her normal diet is to be re-introduced beginning on Monday, however scavenging Holly has pinched some biscuits this morning!!!!! I need eyes in the back of my head.

Holly generally has a cast iron stomach, she stole a turkey from the oven at Christmas. The vet said he could not treat her immediately, so to wait until the next day. Not one side effect! I was worried to death and could not sleep waiting for her to be ill.

Something has just sprung to mind, the vet said of the dogs contracting this illness 40% will have it again (quite high odds)

Holly smelt awful when she arrived home, but too ill to be bathed. She only really picked up Thursday, so I had to bath her yesterday before I took her for her check up at the vets. She was given the all clear.

What a picture it was this morning watching her running in the park with my other dogs.

My Doberman, 8 month old puppy was ill on Wednesday, with the same symptoms except the blood. I took her to the vets and she was given antibiotics and she has made a very quick recover, unlike Holly. To cap it all my 18 month old afghan was vomiting Thursday morning, however she never had any other symptoms and was fine by the evening. I certainly think there must be a link with this illness and my other dogs, but perhaps they were more resilient.

My two Westies were not affected.

Diana Larden
12 August 2005