A California family who saw their prize-winning golden retriever on the brink of death after contracting a mystery illness have revealed the miracle antibiotic that saved their beloved pet.
John and Becky Oliver had given up hope when their dog, Ike, contracted a respiratory illness in September, stunning vets.
Ike was immediately quarantined behind glass with photos of the harrowing experience showing the acclaimed show dog lying with tubes in his snout and a cone around his head.
Subsequent test results showed that Ike had suffered a contract a respiratory disease in dogs known as canine infectious respiratory disease complex.
To combat the cruel disease ravaging dogs in the US, the couple opted to use chloramphenicol – a drug typically used for superficial eye conditions in humans.
Although it is approved for use in dogs and horses, it is typically used for bacterial infections of the gastrointestinal tract, lungs, and urinary tract.
Ike, an award-winning golden retriever, was quarantined behind glass with photos of him lying with tubes in his snout and a cone around his head
Ike became ill while competing in the Golden Retriever Club of America’s top 20 shows, where he ranked among the top five Goldens in the US.
To the couple’s surprise, the antibiotic worked significantly and Ike’s breathing improved significantly, and he was released from the hospital just days later.
Ike became ill while competing in the Golden Retriever Club of America’s top 20 shows, where he ranked among the top five Goldens in the US.
The show was held on September 14 in Albany, Oregon, where cases of the mysterious respiratory disease first surfaced.
At the time, veterinarians were unable to identify the disease, leading them to quarantine Ike from other dogs as well as people.
“They had given up, and Ike was starting to give up,” Becky said ABC.
John added: “When he got to Murrieta at the vet there, they isolated him in quarantine, behind glass.
“He couldn’t get into the room with them, there were no other dogs with him, so that’s how contagious this is.”
John and Becky Oliver gave up hope when their dog, Ike, contracted a respiratory illness in September, stunning vets
Subsequent test results revealed that Ike had contracted a canine respiratory disease known as canine infectious respiratory disease complex
To the couple’s surprise, the antibiotic worked significantly and Ike’s breathing improved significantly, and he was released from the hospital just days later.
In their time of need, the couple said it was a stranger’s suggestion that brought their dog back from the brink.
“The Vet Hospital called to say Ike was off oxygen and ready to come home! It was like a dream to hear that he could come home,” Becky wrote on Facebook after Ike came home.
‘Ike’s been doing pretty well since he’s been home. However, he is very thin and weak.
‘His appetite is very good and he is doing his normal things, with a lot of rest in between.
“He is still continuing his nebulizer treatments and his medical schedule is quite complicated.
Chloramphenicol is a very strong last resort, but it saved him. Otherwise he wouldn’t be here.’
Although chloramphenicol is approved by the FDA for use in dogs, it should be avoided when breeding dogs, pregnant females, or lactating females.
The antibiotic can cause myelosuppression, a serious blood disorder, and should therefore be used with extreme caution in anemic dogs. Veterinary Centers of America.
“The Vet Hospital called to say Ike was off oxygen and ready to come home! It was like a dream to hear that he could come home,” Becky wrote on Facebook after Ike came home
Cases of the potentially fatal disease first emerged in Oregon but quickly spread to Indiana, Illinois, Washington, Idaho, California, Nevada and the entire Northeast.
So far, more than 200 dogs in Oregon have tested positive since mid-August.
The Oregon Department of Agriculture lists coughing, sneezing, nasal and/or eye discharge, and lethargy as common symptoms of this disease.
Health officials have urged pet owners to ensure their dogs are up to date on all vaccines and have suggested reducing contact with unvaccinated and unfamiliar dogs as the disease increases.
Veterinarians’ advice is to avoid large gatherings with unfamiliar dogs, especially if the dogs appear ill. This includes daycare centers, parks, grooming salons and boarding houses.
“In one clinic I was at last week, we had three separate cases of young dogs that became very ill, progressively worse and eventually had to be euthanized, unfortunately,” said veterinarian Dr. Ross Bernstein to ABC.
What Ike had suffered was a contagious respiratory disease that recently killed several dogs across the country
So far, more than 200 dogs in Oregon have tested positive since mid-August, and experts say that’s likely across the U.S.
“Avoid places where there are a lot of dogs where you don’t know if they’re vaccinated or not, if they’re healthy or not,” Bernstein said.
“So places like dog parks, boarding houses, grooming salons, just places where you don’t know the other dogs that your dog will come into contact with.”
Officials have also recommended not traveling with dogs during the holiday season, especially on flights, to reduce exposure.
Vets also recommend avoiding communal water bowls shared by multiple dogs and having their pets tested with a PCR test if they suspect their dogs are infected.