We collect stories.
Our team meets patients and their families during the most challenging times of their lives. We use our clinical experience to leave an impactful and memorable trace. We become a page in their book of life tales. But it goes both ways. Some patients and clients leave a trace in our lives too, as we are not simply veterinarians, nurses or administration. We are human beings. When we witness and participate in exceptional and unique stories, they stay with us. We collect them and add them to our own professional and personal books of life tales. Tilly’s story became one of those cases for our team. We love, cherish and admire all our patients. But sometimes a special one comes into your life and absolutely sweeps you off your feet. Proving once again, that love and commitment can beat any odds.
A Mysterious Illness Begins
Tilly, a gorgeous one-year-old Kelpie cross girl, initially didn’t even present to our clinic. She and her family had the pleasure of meeting our incredible colleagues at Gungahlin Veterinary Hospital. Tilly had a bit of a problem. She didn’t behave like her usual self, refused to eat and even vomited a few times. Such symptoms bring a lot of discomfort and can indicate painful areas somewhere in the abdomen, yet they do not help in diagnosing a patient straight away. Quite a few conditions can be the culprits. For example, AHDS (acute haemorrhagic diarrhoea syndrome), possible foreign body or pancreatitis. Initial workup and treatment of such cases always comes with a certain level of a challenge as our patients cannot fully explain what hurts, how it hurts or what might have caused it. Discussions between pet parents and veterinarians can be lengthy and complicated, but are always aimed at getting to the bottom of the symptoms. The same happened during Tilly’s initial presentation. Considering the symptoms, it was decided to treat her with supportive IV fluids and medications with possible further radiographs of the abdomen if needed.
The team at Gungahlin Vet Hospital managed to create a foundation for our own treatment. They gathered data through multiple blood tests, physical exams and x-ray imaging to help us understand what was going on with Tilly. Unfortunately, even with such data and supportive care, she was still deteriorating. On top of existing symptoms, Tilly developed severe diarrhoea and couldn’t eat on her own; she had to be syringe-fed by nurses.
While our friends at Gungahlin Vet Hospital were trying to help Tilly during the day, our team was caring for her during the night. As our GP friends go on a very well-deserved break during the weekends, Tilly came into our complete care on day 4 of her hospitalisation. Our team decided to proceed with an ultrasound, a more dynamic form of imaging. The build of an animal’s abdomen doesn’t help to get clear results from the first go too. Digestive tract twists and turns, overlaps and hides behind other organs. Some things are hard to see. Ultrasound sometimes is compared to a flashlight. You have to move around and do a good search with it, in order to find what you are looking for. Which our team was able to do. We discovered that Tilly’s intestines were angry… there was a lot of gas and a lot of bunching. While Tilly’s deterioration wasn’t good, it made one of the possible diagnoses come forward more than others. Linear foreign body.
A Critical Discovery and a Life-Changing Decision
Foreign bodies are an extremely common diagnosis in veterinary medicine. Animals consume things they are not supposed to all the time. We all know that forbidden fruit is sweet. Yet, even being a common condition it is not that easy to diagnose sometimes. There are two main types – linear and non-linear foreign bodies. In a way, the second type is the easier one. It causes complete blockage of the digestive system (common objects like balls, rocks etc.). It is easy to spot on imaging and symptoms for this type are more severe and specific. Linear foreign bodies (fabrics, string etc.) can be tricky. As they don’t cause full blockage, they can pass through the digestive tract uneventfully and undetected. Yet, they can create problems when one end becomes lodged. They are harder to detect and harder to see on the diagnostics stage of the treatment plan.
This was our suspicion. Diagnostics and Tilly’s inability to improve with an existing treatment plan hinted that we might be onto something here. That’s why our team invited her family to come over again, to have another conversation.
This was the light bulb moment for everyone. Going through a list of detailed and specific questions, Tilly’s mum realised doggie had access to the bin in the bathroom and possibly could have eaten things from it! After long deliberations and discussion, we decided to go into surgery after all. While posing high risks due to the severity of Tilly’s state, it was the only option that could potentially save her life.
This surgery took nearly six hours, two surgeons and one of our most experienced procedure nurses for an extremely complex anaesthesia monitoring and nurse support. It was hard. But our suspicions were correct. We found multiple small linear foreign bodies hiding in her intestines. Due to this, there were multiple perforations and unfortunately, we found a lot of non-viable tissue. We had to remove nearly 75% of Tilly’s small intestines! Even without a medical degree you can understand, that is a lot. We all were worried, as even with the correct diagnosis, correct procedure and correct plan we had no guarantees for her survival. The first three days after the surgery would show us which way things will go.
A Recovery Fueled by Determination and Care
We all were extremely anxious. Holding our breaths, hoping for a miracle to happen. And Tilly for sure surprised us all. Hours after the surgery, she was up and walking around looking more comfortable than before this complex and challenging procedure. Against all possible odds, this dog showed us she wanted to live and be with her supportive family again. Our nurse team created a precise and calculated feeding plan to ensure her digestive tract is not overwhelmed by the volume of nutrition but at the same time the rest of her body is getting enough support to recover quicker. Tilly had to have a feeding tube placed, she had a hefty list of many different medications. And of course multiple re-checks and ongoing exams.
Bit by bit, hour by hour, day by day she was getting better and stronger. Tilly’s absolutely wonderful family and both of the teams at CVES and GVH were with her during every step of this hard journey. Multiple vets, nurses, receptionists and managers were with Tilly giving her their love, support and best of wishes. And she gladly accepted that dedication, positive energy and support. She made it. It was a long hospitalisation with a lot of scares, challenges and setbacks. But we were nearly at the end of it. After being discharged from CVES Tilly had a few hiccups in her recovery, however, with a few more visits the amazing staff made it a priority over the weekend to fit her in and sort out any issues that arose.
A Chapter That Stays With Us
Tilly is now fully recovered and we see her from time to time for social visits to the clinic. She will always remain a huge chapter in our clinic’s history. She taught us a very important lesson about love, resilience and desire to live. It will stay with us for a very long time, if not forever.