Some of the Lucky 7 pups getting attention at their pet hotel in Kefalonia before their departure for the Netherlands

by Katerina Lorenzatos Makris

Below we’ve posted the latest information provided by one of the veterinarians who attended Bingo, a member of the Lucky 7 group of rescued puppies who we recently sent from Greece to the Netherlands for re-homing. Sadly, on January 1 Bingo passed away after a sudden and as-yet undiagnosed illness.

Spicy Stories Save Lives made the arrangements and has covered the costs for post-mortem work done on little Bingo so as to try to determine his cause of death, and to learn how to protect his siblings in case they are in danger of developing the same illness, as well as to help prevent his fate befalling other animals.

We believe that sharing accurate information about animal health is one of the best ways of ensuring it.

(The Lucky 7 Puppies were rescued and sponsored by a hardworking international Greek, Dutch, and American team that included our website Spicy Stories Save Lives and a kind anonymous donor.)

Info from Bingo’s vet

1. Blood test was negative for Toxoplasma.

2. Blood test was borderline for Neospora caninum, with a titer of 1:160. This is not a definite yes, but not a definite no, either.

3. The pathologist is still conducting tests on his tissue samples and fluids, and hopes to have more results next week.

At this time Neosporosis, a illness caused by an infestation of the protozoan Neospora caninum, remains the best guess as a diagnosis because the test showed that it might be present, and because Bingo’s symptoms fit this ailment so well.

On a side note, Bingo’s vet said that if he did have Neosporosis, it would have been nearly impossible to save him. Once this parasite reaches the brain, as it did in Bingo’s case (he developed inflammation of the brain), treatment is usually ineffective.

Unfortunately, Bingo showed few significant symptoms until about three days before his death, so there was almost no warning or time to take action before it was too late.

Gradual onset of symptoms, or sometimes no symptoms at all

According to two of the many vets with whom we’ve spoken, symptoms of Neosporosis may develop gradually over weeks, months, or even years, and easily can be mistaken for other ailments.

In fact, many dogs who harbor the Neospora caninum parasite never display symptoms. Some, like Bingo, display few or no symptoms until they are too late to treat.

Classic symptoms include stiffness of the hind legs, paralysis and rigidity of the legs and body, stiffness in the neck, difficulty swallowing, and eventual paralysis of muscles in the respiratory system leading to death.

Bingo’s symptoms closely followed that classic scenario.

In some dogs it can also affect the skin, causing dermatitis.

Early detection and treatment are essential to save infected animals.

“All litter mates of affected puppies should be treated regardless of clinical signs,” according to the Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC).

The typical treatment is the antibiotic Clindamycin.

How and where do dogs get Neospora?

Dogs can contract Neospora caninum by eating cow meat in which it is present, or transplacentally through their mothers, according to the vets with whom we’ve spoken, as well as other sources. Dogs can then go on to spread it through their feces.

According to the United States Department of Agriculture and other sources, the disease occurs worldwide, but is relatively unusual.

Neospora caninum is most prevalent in the Netherlands, the United States, and New Zealand.

Here at Spicy Stories Save Lives, we depend on sales of our romantic fiction to rescue and sponsor animals like the Lucky 7, and to create  real-life happy endings.

Won’t you please use a couple of bucks to enjoy a fun read, to spice up your life, and to replenish our rescue fund?

We, the animals, and our fellow rescuers will thank you kindly!

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Spicy Stories Save Lives proudly sponsors needy animals in the U.S. and around the world.

For example we help Kefalonia Animal Trust (KATs) provide free spay/neuter for hundreds of animals per year, which is one of the best ways to prevent the abandonment and misery of puppies like Noah and Kyla. Please give to KATs via PayPal or bank transfer. Spay/neuter and education are the animals’ best hope for a better future.

Also please consider Animal Rescue Kefalonia (ARK), another group on the Greek island of Kefalonia who run a shelter  and work miracles with terribly few resources. 

Spicy Stories Save Lives and the author of this article have no affiliation with the rescue groups mentioned above, other than as a friend, volunteer, and donor.

Seen our book?  Your Adopted Dog: Everything You Need to Know About Rescuing and Caring for a Best Friend in Need, by Shelley Frost and Katerina Lorenzatos Makris, available through Amazon.com.