"Samantha" Felten a 1 ½ year old spayed yellow Lab was presented with anorexia, pain and trembling of 12 hours duration. She had a fever of 104. Pain was
most significant in the neck area.Laboratory analysis consisting of a complete blood count (CBC), serum chemistry, titers for Blastomycosis and Lyme Disease were obtained.
Samantha had a very elevated white blood cell count and a positive titer for Lyme Disease (which may indicate only past exposure not necessarily disease).
She was initially treated for Lyme Disease but was unresponsive and continued to deteriorate. After further diagnostics of radiographs (x-rays) and joint aspirations, a diagnosis of Immune Mediated
Menningitis/Polyarthritis was determined. Appropriate oral steroid therapy was instituted. Within 48 hours she began to improve, but then began vomitting blood and became intolerant to oral steroid therapy.
Samantha was again hospitalized, placed on fluid therapy and her very capable owner was taught to give twice daily steroid injections.
Over the next six months of therapy she experienced several set
backs, most likely related to her necessary immunosuppressive treatments. The problems including oral ulcers, a staph infection, an abscessed lymph node, and an exacerbation of Lyme Disease all
responded to therapy instituted by the staff at Heritage Animal Hospital.
Samantha was always a model patient and after 10 months of diligent care by her owner and veterinarian is off all medication. She
appears spoiled by all the attention she received. She knows that she is top dog in her home of kids, cats and horses.
