Champion of My HeartA real-time memoir about life with a fearful border collie, by Roxanne Hawn

We’re still reeling and consumed by mourning and mourning-related tasks, but I wanted to post a quick update for those who haven’t been following the news on our Champion of My Heart Facebook Fan Page.

Starting Friday, May 11, Lilly suffered another relapse. The following symptoms got worse and worse over the weekend:

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Here is part five (of five) of frequently asked questions dog lovers have asked me since Lilly’s ill-fated response to a vaccine earlier this year. This series of questions / answers covers the COSTS of diagnosing and treating Lilly’s vaccine-induced meningoencephalomyelitis / meningoencephalitis (inflammation of the brain and lining of the brain and spinal cord), including how much the pet insurance company paid, how much Champion of My Heart fans donated, and whether or not the vaccine company responded to my request for financial help.

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Here is part four (of five) of frequently asked questions dog lovers have asked me since Lilly’s ill-fated response to a vaccine earlier this year. This series of questions / answers covers the treatment of Lilly’s vaccine-induced meningoencephalomyelitis / meningoencephalitis (inflammation of the brain and lining of the brain and spinal cord).

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Here is part three (of five) of frequently asked questions dog lovers have asked me since Lilly’s ill-fated response to a vaccine earlier this year. This series of questions / answers covers the symptoms, diagnosis, and Lilly’s prognosis of Lilly’s vaccine-induced meningoencephalomyelitis / meningoencephalitis (inflammation of the brain and lining of the brain and spinal cord).

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Here is part two (of five) of frequently asked questions dog lovers have asked me since Lilly’s ill-fated response to a vaccine earlier this year. This series of questions / answers covers the vaccine itself, factors that people think / assume may have led to the adverse vaccine reaction, and the incidence rate of vaccine-induced meningoencephalomyelitis / meningoencephalitis (inflammation of the brain and lining of the brain and spinal cord).

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Here is part one (of five) of frequently asked questions dog lovers have asked me since Lilly’s ill-fated response to a rabies vaccine earlier this year. Today, we cover Lilly’s health status and vaccine history.

While this 5-part Adverse Vaccine Reaction FAQ isn’t everything you need to know about adverse vaccine reactions in dogs, it’s my best attempt to cover the big issues and answers – as they pertain to Lily’s vaccine-induced meningoencephalomyelitis / meningoencephalitis (inflammation of the brain and lining of the brain and spinal cord).

Once all five FAQ posts have been published, we’ll add links to all 5 into each post, and we’ll copy everything into one static page for people who want all the adverse vaccine reaction info all at once.

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These tri-color, smooth coat border collie puppies were born at Valdemar Farm in Fort Lupton, Colorado (where we take herding lessons). The litter is jokingly known as “Big Head Todd and the Monsters.”

This is Big Head Todd. His head really isn’t *that* big. It just looks bigger because it’s all white.

We made a little puppy tribute video to all the “monsters” (5 boys, 1 girl). I should have been more methodical in my picture-taking. I’m not sure I show each puppy individually, and I’m pretty sure I show some more than once in the video. BUT, I just picked the pictures I liked best.

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Among the behavioral changes we’ve seen since Lilly developed meningoencephalomyelitis / meningoencephalitis (inflammation of the brain and lining of the brain and spinal cord) is a resurgence of attention-seeking behaviors. It makes getting any work done pretty hard, and it makes taking a walk on our road interesting.

You see, Lilly is smart. She recognizes patterns in my behavior and that of other people.

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Next up in our gallery of changes since Lilly developed meningoencephalomyelitis / meningoencephalitis (inflammation of the brain and lining of the brain and spinal cord) after an adverse vaccine reaction to a rabies vaccine is this video showing how much trouble Lilly has holding a simple sit. Sometimes, her front feet slide out. Sometimes, we joke that she must have “butter on her butt.”

Our veterinary neurologist points out that Lilly’s brain inflammation has more to do with body awareness and control, but this sure looks like a strength issue to me. What do you think?

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Last week, after a long walk and a dip in our pond, I took a picture of a happy Lilly. It’s a nice picture, except all I can see are the changes in Lilly’s face from her ongoing neurological deficits. For comparison … first a few pictures of Lilly BEFORE she got so sick following her rabies vaccination in January 2012.

OK. Not quite “wordless,” but mostly photos in this blog post.

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A 5-month-old, female, border collie (mix) puppy jumped from a moving car Sunday, April 22, 2012, on Golden Gate Canyon Road (west of Golden, Colorado). Please use email and social media to alert anyone you know who lives in the area or who hikes, bikes, or rides horses in the area, including in Mount Galbraith Open Space Park, White Ranch Open Space Park, Centennial Cone Open Space Park, and Golden Gate Canyon State Park.

[This is not our dog. We're trying to help a neighbor.]

UPDATE: Monday night, April 30

I am THRILLED to report that this puppy was found last night by a family, living near Guy Hill, which is very close to where Oreo jumped from a moving car 8 days earlier. She is skinny and will go to the veterinarian today (Tuesday 5/1) for a check-up, but otherwise, she is safe and sound … back with her foster family.

I hope to get details on her recovery soon (including photos), but I do know that she was found Monday sometime and thanks to the wide-spread sharing of her lost report, the family knew who to call to report her being found.

BEST OF ALL … the family who found her might be interested in adopting Oreo!

Many thanks to everyone who helped!

UPDATE: Friday night, April 27

An animal communicator believes OREO is moving east (toward the town of Golden). She also believes that Oreo is staying to the south of Golden Gate Canyon Road off in areas where cattle graze. There is a good chance she is in the Mt Galbraith area. Keep looking!

***

The last real sighting was late Sunday (4/22) afternoon near Golden Gate Canyon Road and Horseradish Gulch Road (about 6 miles from her foster home).

Lost Border Collie Puppy – Golden Gate Canyon, Golden, Colorado – Please Help!

• Her name is Oreo
• Border Collie mix puppy (black and white) – 5 months old
• About 35 pounds
• Purple collar (no tags, no microchip)
• Foster puppy living with family in Golden Gate Estates (near the Jeffco / Gilpin County border) for 1 week when lost
• Puppy is VERY SHY. She may be hiding or may run if pursued.

If found or seen, please call Leslie or Sean @:

303-582-9391

OR

303-548-7232

In March 2012, I had the chance to attend (on a press pass) two days of the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) annual conference. It happened to be in Denver this year. My number one destination was a session called “Video Tour of the Neurologic Exam” by Dr. Simon Platt, who works / teaches at the University of Georgia’s College of Veterinary Medicine.

If you ever have the chance to hear Dr. Platt speak, take it. The man is very funny and has great videos to demonstrate what various neurological problems look like.

For obvious reasons my notes reflect mostly information that applies to Lilly’s case of meningoencephalomyelitis / meningoencephalitis (inflammation of the brain and lining of the brain and spinal cord) after an adverse vaccine reaction to a rabies vaccine.

I learned a few interesting things, however, that might be of use to you.

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Lilly and I apologize for last week’s blogging absence. The clock ran out on us every single day. Sometimes we simply get busy with work (remember, lots of HUGE bills to pay), but we also have some BIG blog posts brewing. They are not the kind that come together quickly. So, this week, we promise a few more updates about Lilly’s recovery.

After that, if we can eke out enough time and mental bandwidth, you can expect some big picture, HUGE news blog posts in the wake of Lilly’s adverse rabies vaccine reaction.

In some cases, we’re still waiting for requested information to arrive and to have the time to dig into critical research.

Planned topics include (in no particular order):

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Tom practically had to sit on me over the weekend to keep me from running Lilly down to the nearest veterinary emergency room. Starting last Wednesday, April 4, 2012, Lilly began acting VERY sick again. She only got worse over the weekend — a holiday (for many), of course!

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Indeed, Lilly is recovering nicely some 2 months since her adverse rabies vaccine reaction. She is nowhere near normal, but she is coping the best she can … as are we to the “new” puppy girl resulting from the veterinary emergency with her brain / nervous system.

Things don’t always go well, however:

• Lilly fell down the stairs last week.
• Lilly fell off the bed the other day.
• Lilly crashed while jumping my knees and slid on her side across the living room Monday night.
• Lilly’s rear legs gave out while on her usual 3-mile walk Sunday. For several seconds, she stayed there — like a tadpole or mermaid — and seemed that she didn’t know how to stand up. It was very scary.

Among her other lingering symptoms? Nose / breathing troubles. Video demonstration below.

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