Bingo during his happy weeks in the loving care of foster mommy Alinda van Geffen, who worked heroically to save him from the illness that ultimately progressed too rapidly to stop.

by Katerina Lorenzatos Makris ~

Initial results have come in from the post-mortem work done on Bingo, one of the Lucky 7 Puppies who went from Greece to the Netherlands for re-homing, but passed away after a sudden, deadly, and still undiagnosed illness last week.

The Lucky 7 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.

We are all devastated by this loss, and are working hard to find answers to the mystery of what killed this sweet puppy.

Post-mortem exam initial results:

1. Pending further tests, the most likely suspects are protozoa like Neospora (Neospora caninum) or Toxoplasma.

2. Bingo had inflammation of the brain.

3. Rabies and any canine diseases are ruled out.

4. It will take a few more days, up to a week, to reach conclusions.

Further tests will be done on brain tissue and lung fluids, with more specific tests for Neospora and Toxoplasma.

Also, last week we requested blood tests for Neospora and Toxoplasma, and are hoping to have those results by Friday.

Vets’ recommendations for the other Lucky 7 Puppies:

(The vet who attended Bingo as well as others I consulted)

1. Please give all this information to all the puppies’ own veterinarians so that they can make the decisions for each animal case by case.

2. Consider starting puppies on antibiotic Clindamycin as a relatively harmless preventive measure against Neospora and Toxoplasma, especially for the 2 pups who are showing weakness/soreness in their hindquarters and hind legs, which was where Bingo’s trouble started, because that can be a classic symptom. That weakness/soreness might be attributable to hip dysplasia, or some other cause, but it wouldn’t hurt to go ahead and start the Clindamycin just in case, if the attending vets agree, since Bingo’s illness was so fast and deadly.

3. Consider testing at least one of the other puppies who has hindquarters trouble for Neospora or Toxoplasma.

4. Consider keeping puppies away from other animals for a few more days till all of Bingo’s results are back.

5. The good news is that if the ailment is indeed Neospora or Toxoplasma, and if heaven forbid any of the other pups were to come down with it, these are usually treatable with antibiotics. However early detection and treatment are crucial.

6.  Apart from the risks to Bingo’s litter mates, there is no indication that a large number of other animals will be diagnosed with these ailments in Greece or in the Netherlands. So there is no reason not to continue rescuing Greek animals and re-homing them in the Netherlands, as usual.

7. It is just as likely for an animal to contract Neospora or Toxoplasma in the Netherlands, as it is in Greece or anywhere else.

Neospora and Toxoplasma exist in the environment in many countries around the world, especially in areas near cattle. So no matter the country in which you reside, if your animal should ever exhibit symptoms similar to the following, then Neospora and Toxoplasma would be some of the options your vet might consider.

Bingo’s symptoms:

(Please note that symptoms may vary from dog to dog.  Not all will show the same symptoms.  Some might show no symptoms at all, then suddenly fall terribly ill.  Parasites are really tricky.)

Began with mild weakness or lameness in hindquarters (back legs, hips, etc.).

Rapidly progressed as follows.

Not wanting to run or play

Not able to stand

Fever of 40C

Spine sore and painful to touch.

Whole body very painful to touch to the point where he would scream when moved or lifted

Loss of appetite

Refusing food and water

Not able to lift head

Coma

Temperature dropped to 37.5C

Blood results showed low platelets and white cells. Low iron. High protein.

Labored breathing.

Passed away a few days after onset of symptoms

We’re working overtime to solve this tragic mystery, and will keep everyone posted.

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!

For more animal adventures please FOLLOW Spicy Stories Save Lives by clicking the ‘SUBSCRIBE’ button above. You’ll receive email notifications of our new articles. We will NEVER give your email address to anyone else. And it’s free!

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.