We’ve had a tough, tough, tough week. Look for short updates posted on our Champion of My Heart Facebook Fan Page, but the headline is that Lilly has gotten increasingly sicker since her rabies vaccine given January 23. Over the weekend, she developed all sorts of scary symptoms, including:
- High fever
- Extreme lethargy
- Inability to walk (that got worse and worse)
- Slow cognitive responses (that also got worse over night)
Lilly felt ooky Monday-Thursday last week, but that is NOT all that unusual for her after a vaccine. So, we didn’t worry too much.
Friday, we started seeing some mobility issues. Saturday, she slept all day and by evening could barely walk. Sunday morning, she was much, much worse.
SO, we spent Sunday (1/29) in the nearest ER, but they let her come home with our own round-the-clock nursing overnight.Lilly’s temperature stayed stable, but her mobility got much worse overnight into Monday morning.
We saw our regular veterinarian first thing Monday morning, and she sent us straight to one of three board-certified veterinary neurologists in Colorado … who thankfully isn’t that far and had time to see Lilly right away.
Lilly is now hospitalized and will have an MRI and spinal tap Tuesday (1/31) morning. The goal is for her neurologist to determine what’s causing all this.
So, we probably won’t know anything until midday Tuesday.
We found out today via complete neuro exam that she has multi-focal neurological issues (brain stem, cervical spine, lumbar spine), likely caused by inflammation (whose source is still unknown … though it could be a bad vaccine reaction or something stirred up by a bad vaccine reaction … or not).
Please keep Lilly in your hearts. She is VERY scared and VERY sick.
Oh my, we definitely will send love vibes to you and Lilly…scared puppies just isn’t fun at all…..hugs floating your way!
We are new to your blog and heard from KB about Lilly. Sending our golden healing vibes to sweet Lilly and hope she recovers soon….
Hugs and kisses
Sammie and Avalon
We are first time visitors too, coming over from KB’s blog. This sounds so scary for you and we will be checking in constantly to see how things work out. Our strongest and most loving thoughts and prayers are coming your way.
We have actually had a similar reaction from the rabies shot and we are praying for a complete recovery for you.
Hi Y’all,
Just a quick note to let y’all know that my Humans are adding their prayers and I’ve got paws crossed that Lilly will recover quickly and be her old self.
Hawk aka BrownDog
Stopping over from K&R’s blog to let you know we will be keeping Lily and you in our thoughts and prayers.
Woofs and Healing Licks,
Maggie Mae and Max
We came across from K’s blog. We are sorry to hear how sick Lilly is. We are thinking of you and sending lots of positive thoughts for Lilly’s recovery.
Big Nose Pokes
The Thuglets
We hope Lilly recovers and is well.
Hellos…I coming from K’s bloggie. Just wanted you to knows dat we is thinkin’ of you and your Lilly and hopes her has a speedy recovery.
I knows it’s hard but we is heres fur you.
Puddles
We came across from K’s blog.
We are so sorry to hear how very sick Lilly is. We are sending lots of positive thoughts that Lilly is soon better.
Stay positive and strong.
The Thugletsx
Stopping by through K:s blog. We are thinking of you and send our best wishes for her recovery.
Dear sweet Lilly,
We came over from KBs blog to send you and your family lots of love and strength. Dr. Lane has worked with PeeWee for discospondylitis and he and his team are amazing so we know you’re in wonderful hands. We will be thinking of you sweet girl!
– Bear, PeeWee and Heather
i came fro K bloggy to send you all a healing toughs and vibes to Mss Lilly
Our hearts go out to you and your beautiful pup in this illness. KB & K sent us over and we happily came to offer whatever comfort we could.
We will keep Lilly in our thoughts, hearts and prayers tonight and until we hear she is recuperating.
Jo, Stella and Zkhat
Paws and fingers crossed, we’re thinking of you
Dachshund Nola
I am a friend of K over at Romping in the Rockies.
I wanted to tell you that we are sending postive thoughts and prayers for Lily
love
tweedles
I just came over from Romping and Rolling in the Rockies. I’m so sorry that Lilly is going through this. I know you must be very scared. My dog Zephyr suddenly developed encephalitis last March and was in a similar situation. He made it through. I’ll be thinking of Lilly and sending good thoughts your way.
I just saw your post about Lilly’s diagnosis of Meningoencephalitis on Facebook. Zephyr did the chemotherapy treatment too, Lomustine (CCNU) 4 treatments, and then procarbazine for a few months. He also took prednisone. I’ve posted all about it on my blog starting in March 2011. He is doing great! I just wanted to let you know of a pup that made it through. It’s very scary to go through. I’m so glad you were able to get Lilly to a neurologist. I know this is my first visit to your blog, but your welcome to contact me if you have any questions. I’m sending lots of positive healing thoughts to Lilly and you. Hang in there.
This is my first visit via Cowgirl by Proxy. So sorry to read about your Lilly. Hopefully she will not ever have to be given a rabies shot again! I wish her all the best and a speedy recovery.
Popped over from KB’s blog. If positive energy can be transmitted, we are sending plenty from here in NC. As dog lovers for many years, we know how awful this time can be. Fingers and paws are crossed for Lilly and for you and the family.
I’m sorry your poor girl is going through this!
Our second Greyhound had progressively worse and worse reactions to vaccines. I looked back and saw that he’d been given three-year vaccines every year for three years in a row. After he had a scary incident with a reaction, our vet agreed that he shouldn’t be vaccinated any more and ran titres for us.
Hopefully by now, you’ve gotten some good news!
We came over from K’s, we are thinking of you and keeping you all in our prayers, we are sending our bestest healing vibes and positive thoughts as well
Love
Momma Tea, Uji, Izzy & Ronnii
Sorry to here about your Lilly! I’ve just popped over from K’s to wish you well!
I am here from K & R’s blog-site. I loved the gift you got for K! I only wish I knew about it! If you would like help with that gift, please just let me and my person know!!
And to find out you are now also going through some medical scarries just like K!
Please know that we are sending out the our thoughts and prayers to you, as well as sharing the “power of the paw’! (I don’t think K will mind – do you??)
Baylor
Sending all our love and healing warmth to Lily and calming rays to you.
Harold and Maddie (The Patron Saint of Perpetual Motion)
So, so scarey. I’m thinking of you and sending courage to Lil.
So s`orry to hear…wish you guys nothing but the best and hope you get this figured out ASAP.
Came over here to see if any new news had been posted about little Lilly, who is in my thoughts.
Sending good thoughts for Lilly. I hope she is better soon.
OH no…she did not get bit by something did she? Make sure the doctors know that she has had rattle snake bites. My son was bitten by a rattle snake when he was three and they told us it changes the body’s blood chemistry. So it might help them that they know.
Sending prayers to Lilly and you and hoping all goes well with her tests. Lots of doggie hugs and kisses.
Very sorry to hear this about Lilly. sending prayers for her turnaround.
Oh I’m so sorry, Rox. What a nightmare for you and Lilly. Thinking all good thoughts for speedy testing and recovery.
I hope the st*r*ids have started relieving the inflammation and that Lilly had a good night. She’s getting the best care, and we’ll keep all of our fingers and paws crossed for a speedy recovery.
Roxanne, my heart breaks for what you’re going through (on top of what you were already going through). I hope with everything in me that whatever ails Lilly can be eradicated and she can come home to you soon, healthy and happy once again. Hugs.
I’m so sorry to hear this; sending healing thoughts. I’m glad she’s getting the very best care possible — from you, of course, and also from a great specialist.
Roxanne, my fingers and toes are crossed that you get good news later today. Keeping you and Lilly in my thoughts and sending all the get well vibes I can.
Oh Roxanne. I was so hoping for good news today. Having had a dog react to a rabies vaccine, I can only say I know how scared you (and Lilly) are and how awful it is to experience.
I am praying that her body can somehow alleviate the inflammation that is causing many of her symptoms on it’s own. My heart is with you honey. I am so sorry that Lilly and you are going through this.
Wishing the best for Lilly and for a speedy recovery! *hugs*
Oh Roxanne – I’m so sorry to hear about Lilly. I will keep you both in my thoughts and prayers. xo
Oh Lily 🙁
I do hope that you get to the bottom of this tomorrow. And that you have good options for getting Lily better!
We have our fingers and paws crossed for Lilly. I sure hope that the tests go well and that by tomorrow she’s on the mend.
~thoughts and prayers for Lilly and her family. and sending big {{{ hugs}}}….
Dear Everyone, This is not the news that I was hoping & praying for,,but I continue to pray that things “turn around” as quiclky as this happened. I feel that Lilly is getting the best care, lucky she has the owners that she has, hate to think that there are people who wouldn’t or couldn’t provide this excellent care. Hope she is not too scared also, she knows how much she is loved. My precious dog has had very scary reactions to “Heartguard”so I pray that this passes for Lilly & that the news is GREAT tomorrow & that “The Sun” comes out!
I’ve been mustering up all the good thoughts I’ve got and checking your page incessantly for updates. Fingers crossed for good test results tomorrow.
I am thinking of you and your girl. Hugs.
All fingers and paws crossed here for Lilly and you. Hang in there.
Oh, Roxanne, I am so sorry. Lilly is in our thoughts and prayers and we hope this all turns out to be ‘just another tribulation’ very soon. Hoping she is back feeling like her old self in no time.
Oh no! I’m so sorry – sending you and Lilly big hugs. I hope you get to the bottom of the problem as soon as possible and she is feeling better soon!
So so sorry, Roxanne. You’ve had a terrible round of caregiving in the last several years, and I know Lilly is at the top of your mind right now. I don’t know how to help other than send healing thoughts and know we love you and Lilly so much that maybe our collective vibes will help.