Kittypiggy Colourful Life

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Gosh, after one week of craziness, finally I am back to myself for now. Seriously, past week is my disaster week. My Monnie baby boy was affected by a virus called IMPA & Tick Fever. Guess what, I never know that this virus exists in this world.

The situation is after he is back from full grooming normally he will be very weak because he is feeling cold (his hair is very short after full grooming). So we did not notice anything wrong with him after few days and he is getting weaker, not eating his food and worst not able to walk as well. There is where we realise something is really not right.

We thought he is just feeling cold and tired.

We decided to bring him to Vet for a check-up. True enough, he is affected by serious illness which is call IMPA and also tick fever. Is so bad that his blood PCV left back 8% whereby normal dog PCV is 29% and above. Worst, doctor was telling me he is in a very critical situation and asking me to get ready myself.

I nearly collapsed in the clinic. I was crying non-stop because I just couldn’t accept with what I have just heard. Can’t do much, I can only pray very hard and be strong for him and at that moment, I seriously still do not know what is the illness, what doctor say is the virus is eating his red blood cell and he needs a blood transfusion immediately. I can only ask the doctor to proceed whatever needed because I just want him to be alive. So at that day, my boy have to be admitted to hospital while waiting for the blood donor.

I drop by around evening to visit him and my heart breaks into pieces when I see him in the cubicle, wanted to go home but I can’t bring him home. Oh my baby, I feel very hopeless at that moment because I just wish I can stay with him.

Stuck inside a small cubicle. 

I went back home with heartbreak feeling. On my laptop and do some research on IMPA.What is IMPA? What are the Signs & Symptoms?

Immune-mediated polyarthritis (IMPA) is a disease in which the immune system mounts an inflammatory response within the joints, causing pain, swelling and difficulty walking. In IMPA, the immune system is inappropriately activated to send white blood cells to the joints. The white blood cells release chemicals and enzymes into the fluid that bathes the joints, disrupting the protective function of this fluid. A diagnosis of IMPA is made after the veterinarian is certain that there is not an underlying infection or cancer that may have triggered swelling in the joints. Because the white blood cells are attacking the joints inappropriately, IMPA is sometimes called an autoimmune disease. IMPA can occur independently or in combination with more severe immune-mediated disease in which other body systems are affected. IMPA is seen more commonly in dogs than cats but can occur in both species.IMPA causes sore, swollen joints; patients are often lethargic and reluctant to move. 

IMPA causes sore, swollen joints; patients are often lethargic and reluctant to move. Frequently the patient will walk only when forced. In the early phase of the disease, the patient may only have a low-grade fever or poor appetite. (http://vetspecialists.com)

Is exactly what happen to my boy. My god! Is an eye opener for all of us about this virus. It nearly kills my boy. With this IMPA virus add on with the tick fever (which is caused by tick bite), they nearly killed me as well.

Poor boy, I thought he can go home as during morning the PCV is 18%, but the PCV drop to 16% at the evening. 

On the 6th day of the admission, I decided to bring him home. I told the doctor I understand the risk that I will be facing, but I just couldn’t leave him there alone with other big dogs. To add on, he is not eating. Doctor have to force feed him. I just couldn’t stand anymore. 

Finally, he is home. Still very weak, but at least he is home with us. 

So he still has to go back to the clinic for PVC checkup every day. So for this week, it will be bit rush as I have to excuse myself from office for about an hour (I skip my lunch) to go clinic. As for todate, his PCV went up to 20%. Just need a few more days to confirm he is really stable.

So, for the dog lovers, please do a lot of tick prevention to avoid the virus. No joke in this as it will take your soul away too. I am lucky because god heard my prayer. Finally, I can get back to my life again.

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