Dog Saved from Euthanasia by Quick Thinking Intern

[Omaha Steve]

Last edited Sun May 29, 2016, 12:28 AM - Edit history (1)

http://blog.theanimalrescuesite.com/ollie-tick/?


Thanks to the quick eye of a veterinary intern, 10-year-old Ollie is going to have a much better summer this year. The intern spotted a tick behind the Sheltie’s ear—the culprit of Ollie’s declining health—just moments before he was about to be euthanized.

Ollie’s owners Al and Joelle Meteney started seeing their pet's health decline after a trip to the Umpqua River and Eastern Oregon. According to DoveLewis Animal Hospital, they took him to several veterinarians who put Ollie through a full range of tests, including blood work, a urinalysis, and a variety of X-rays. But still there were no answers. He was even given medication to potentially treat his sluggishness and paralysis, but Ollie’s symptoms only worsened.



“He still had a little sparkle in his eyes so he didn’t look really sick, he couldn't really move… but you know, his expressions were still lively and responsive, his ears were still perking up. It was almost unreal,” Joelle said.

Before the Meteneys brought Ollie to DoveLewis, he was almost completely paralyzed and unable to eat or go to the bathroom on his own. They saw no other choice but to put Ollie down, and save him from suffering.

“They finally decided they had reached their limit and it was time to help him pass,” said Dove Lewis Animal Hospital veterinarian Dr. Adam Stone. “He couldn’t stand, he couldn’t walk, he couldn’t urinate, couldn’t defecate. So they had instructions to go get his bladder emptied twice a day from the regular vet to see if he would improve.”

FULL story at link.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. What a miraculous outcome! That vet sure was in the right place at the critical moment.

Lucky, lucky Ollie!

[Sophiegirl]

2. Who's a good boy!!

thank goodness for smart thinking vets.

[shenmue]

3. Squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

[Lancero]

4. The dog was taken to all those vets, and not one thought to check for ticks?

[SusanCalvin]

12. That was my first thought. nt

[Hun Joro]

16. Right? My vet thoroughly checks my kids over with both eyes and hands. This seems incompetent.

[JudyM]

5. What a heartwarming story. Great way for that vet student to start her career!!!

[appalachiablue]

6. Thank you, what a beautiful story. Smooch for Ollie!

[Bayard]

7. Beautiful dog

And nice ending, but I'm wondering why he wasn't on regular tick/flea prevention. It sounds like this went on for some time. Ticks do their blood-sucking thing, and when fully engorged, drop off the host.

[blogslut]

10. The video report said

...the dog was wearing a brand new tick collar when they went on the fateful trip.

[Sunlei]

8. wow Tick paralysis. Ollie's a lucky dog someone noticed a tick & diagnosed the problem.

[Blue Owl]

9. Whew!

[Iwillnevergiveup]

11. My sentiment exactly..

WHEW!

K&R

[jwirr]

13. Our vets here in NE MN automatically assume Lyme's desease

as we have many dogs with that. Our Jingles was in the same condition when we took him in and today he is as frisky as the puppy we first got. He was given antibiotics for a couple of weeks.

Glad they found the tick because all it really takes to cause the illness is one bite.

[Dont call me Shirley]

14. Oh, good boy, Ollie!

[libdem4life]

15. Made my day, as usual, thanks OS.

[ErikJ]

17. Thats another good reason to shave your dog once a year.

No matter what length coat. To see whats going on with the skin! Too easy for fleas and ticks and disease to hide out under all that fur. Plus it keeps the dog from shedding for a whole year.