Seasonal Canine Illness: A story of one dog's battle against this illness

SCI is a mystery illness which, in recent years, has made a number of dogs walked in woodlands suddenly become ill. Cases of SCI are usually seen from August to November, with dogs showing clinical signs of vomiting, diarrhoea and/or lethargy within 24 to 72 hours of walking in woodland. Dog owners are advised to seek immediate veterinary advice should they see these signs in their dog following a woodland walk. A Dachshund owner from Suffolk has written to share her experience of Seasonal Canine Illness.

My miniature long-haired dachshund bitch (9 3/4 years old) vomited at 3 am, then again at about 10 am. Shortly after I noticed blood in her stool, so asked for an emergency appointment at my vets, having taken her temperature 39.5. She vomited again and had become very lethargic and was in a great deal of pain. Mid-day appointment with vet the usual antibiotics, pain killer given IV and sent home with re-hydration fluid.

She continued to go down hill very quickly overnight so I was at the vets at 8.30 am. On examination she presented, as other dogs had, with the same symptoms and was diagnosed as having SCI. Blood tests were taken and showed all the symptoms of a serous infection, but normal liver, kidney function etc. She was admitted, IV antibiotics, IV hydration and IM pain killers. I brought her home at night and continued water therapy every hour. (I would not leave her at my vet's because she would have been there on her own). Back to the vets early the next day for the same treatment and home again overnight.

On the third day of her illness she was not responding to treatment and was considerably worse. Back to the vets where I asked for bloods to be taken again to see if there was any change. She was hospitalised again and put on IV fluids etc. Her blood test revealed acute liver failure. The vet recommended x-rays and scan. The x-ray revealed that her liver was 2 to 3 times larger than normal. Discussions took place and it was felt that it might be in her best interests to put her to sleep. It was my vet's day off, but he willingly came into the surgery to go over her case. He looked into her eyes and asked if he could take her to his home, on IV, and a different regime of medication and look after her. She was with him for 48 hours and was gradually making progress.

She is home now. On 2 hourly very small feeds and off all pain killers, but still on other medication including antibiotics, and is gradually becoming interested in life again. We are all hopeful that she will recover, but it is not guaranteed. Tests will be taken soon to ensure liver function is now recovering. My vet cannot guarantee that there is not an underlying problem (e.g. tumour, but not found on x-ray and scan) in her liver, but full tests will be taken in a few weeks when, and if, she fully recovers.

Thanks to my wonderful vet for going well beyond what is required of a vet.

Please, please, dog owners, be aware of this horrible and fast illness. The Animal Health Trust has a dedicated web page on the illness along with symptoms to look out for. Also do be aware that they are only researching five areas in the country, none of which had been visited by my girl, so SCI is not only in those areas.

October 2013

Read the AHT's latest News item on SCI