From Katrina Pontanar
#lovedistemperdogs #dogs #distemperdogs
Hello! I just want to share to you a happy ending. My dog Czar, a nine-year old shih tzu, survived distemper with no after effects. He has no twitching, loss of motor skills or other neurological disruptions. In a place like Philippines where NDV spinal tap is almost beyond reach (being available only in the capital) and where most of the veterinary clinics are hesitant almost unwelcoming to distemper dogs, I thought I should share to you how my dog and I have overcome great odds to keep him not just alive, but intact.
Back in the day, Czar had seen three veterinary clinics, all have advised me to put him to sleep. You know what they don’t tell you about distemper? Your dog fights if you do. After religious trips to the vet for Canglob D shots and sleeping beside him every night and talking to him while he is bedridden, I had shown my dog how life is worth fighting for.
And so we fought, day in and day out. I would do things I don’t normally do. He had severe coughs and his hind legs were too weak, but I knew he still wanted to have his walk. So I walked him, my hands supported his belly. Sometimes, I would let him hear sound effects of cats purring so that he would bark at it. I gave him his favorite food. Every day, he was not without me. Every single time, he never had to think that he had a serious illness. Because of that, his demeanor never changed.
He was lethargic but still very attentive. He was weak but was still very eager. The key to helping your dog survive is not only giving him meds, but also being there for him all the time. People think I’m crazy, but you know what’s crazy? Czar cheated distemper unscathed. Seeing him now to how he was before distemper is definitely worth all the sleepless nights and tireless trips to vets.
When your dog has distemper, money is not only the issue. I pray that owners with distemper dogs will never give up. This is both our fight with our dogs. You have no right to give up if they haven’t.