The two-year-old dog became lethargic, thin and listless, deteriorating to the point that it was admitted to a pet hospital for a week for a blood transfusion.
“I was really worried about him,” Ms Powell, an enrolled nurse, said.
Testing confirmed Leo had ehrlichiosis, a disease transmitted through bites from brown dog ticks carrying the Ehrlichia canis bacteria.
But what worried the specialists is that Leo lives in the urban Top End, which some experts fear is becoming a new stronghold for a disease spreading like wildfire.
The first Australian case was detected in the Kimberley region of Western Australia in May last year.
By June, cases were rapidly emerging in Katherine in the Northern Territory and the surrounding remote communities.
The Northern Territory government has recorded 370 confirmed cases — 110 in the Darwin and Arnhem Land region, 149 in the Katherine region, 36 in Tennant Creek and in Alice Springs and surrounds, 75.
Experts say countless more have been left undetected in remote communities with little intervention.
“When we finally got to bring him home, [the vets] said he needs to stay inside, he’s at risk of spontaneous bleeding and he might not make it,” Ms Powell said.
“It was very full-on, very emotional.
“There were tears basically every night.”
Until the first cases were discovered just last year, stringent biosecurity controls had kept ehrlichiosis out of Australia.
Experts are still baffled by how the disease got in but, according to Professor Peter Irwin from the School of Veterinary Medicine at Murdoch University, the disease is now considered “endemic” across the NT.
“Ehrlichiosis is one of the most serious diseases of dogs in my opinion,” he said.
“It makes them very ill, and many dogs can die.
“Once it establishes into a tick population, it’s very difficult to eradicate.”
Common symptoms include lethargy, fever and cloudy eyes, which can be cleared up with antibiotics but, if left untreated, the disease can lead to blindness, uncontrollable bleeding and death.
“The problem with this disease is that dogs travel and spread infected ticks,” Professor Irwin said.
“Dogs that have moved from an endemic area of the community into the city will possibly bring ticks with them, and the ticks can then drop off.
“There have now been dogs with the disease identified in most other capitals, most as a result of travel from the north.”
Doctor Stephen Cutter, the head veterinarian at Darwin’s Ark Animal Hospital, is no stranger to the crippling disease.
He said up to 40 per cent of the dogs are infected in the remote communities of the Top End he visits on rotation.
But in August of last year, he saw his first case in a pet that had not left urban Darwin.
Arielle Giles, a vet at the Darwin Veterinary Hospital, confirmed the disease’s spread to Darwin, saying she had seen six cases in the past three months.
“It’s a devastatingly bad disease and it’s really difficult to treat,” Dr Cutter said.
“It’s basically everywhere and it’s now a matter of living with it.”
Both Professor Irwin and Dr Cutter said keeping ticks at bay is the best way to prevent ehrlichiosis.
“Because the infection is transmitted so quickly from the tick bites, the most important way of protecting your dog is to use a product, such as a collar that kills ticks before they bite,” Professor Irwin said.
It has now been five months since Leo was struck down by the tiny parasite and, while he is still getting regular check-ups and his future is looking brighter, vets can’t give the all-clear.
“Ehrlichiosis is really nasty in that it can stay hidden in the bone marrow for a long period of time,” Dr Cutter said.
Earlier this year, the NT government brought on a new coordinator to transition the NT’s response to the disease from a biosecurity threat to managing the outbreak.
“This disease is a nationally notifiable disease, which means that suspected cases of E.canis need to be reported, and free testing can be carried out on blood samples from suspected dogs,” said the chief vet at the Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade, Dr Sue Fitzpatrick.
The man came to adopt a Pit Bull at the shelter but discovered it was unwilling to part with its dearest companion
In a quiet corner of the animal shelter, a man named John arrived with the intention of adopting a Pit Bull named Max. Max, a resilient and gentle soul, had been through a tumultuous journey before finding refuge in the shelter. His striking features and warm brown eyes had caught John’s attention through an online adoption profile.
As John entered the shelter, a wave of anticipation mixed with nervousness washed over him. He had read about Max’s past struggles and was determined to provide him with a loving home. The shelter staff greeted John warmly, leading him to Max’s enclosure.
Upon reaching Max’s kennel, John was met with an unexpected sight. Max, a robust and muscular Pit Bull, was not alone. Nestled beside him was a smaller, frail dog with expressive eyes that mirrored Max’s own kindness. The bond between the two was palpable, and it became evident that they were inseparable companions.
Curiosity and compassion overcame John as he inquired about the smaller dog’s story. The shelter staff explained that the smaller dog, named Buddy, had been rescued alongside Max from an abusive environment. The two had formed an unbreakable bond during their time at the shelter, providing each other comfort and solace.
As John entered the shelter, a wave of anticipation mixed with nervousness washed over him. He had read about Max’s past struggles and was determined to provide him with a loving home. The shelter staff greeted John warmly, leading him to Max’s enclosure.
Upon reaching Max’s kennel, John was met with an unexpected sight. Max, a robust and muscular Pit Bull, was not alone. Nestled beside him was a smaller, frail dog with expressive eyes that mirrored Max’s own kindness. The bond between the two was palpable, and it became evident that they were inseparable companions.
Curiosity and compassion overcame John as he inquired about the smaller dog’s story. The shelter staff explained that the smaller dog, named Buddy, had been rescued alongside Max from an abusive environment. The two had formed an unbreakable bond during their time at the shelter, providing each other comfort and solace.
As John observed the dynamic between Max and Buddy, a realization dawned on him. Adopting Max meant adopting Buddy as well, for their connection was a testament to the strength of their companionship. Undeterred by the unexpected twist, John decided to open his heart and home to both dogs, acknowledging the profound impact they had on each other.
The adoption process unfolded with paperwork and joyful tail wags. Max and Buddy, now aware that their lives were about to take a positive turn, emanated gratitude in their every glance. As they left the shelter, John could feel the gratitude and loyalty radiating from the two dogs, and a sense of fulfillment settled within him.
Back at John’s home, Max and Buddy seamlessly integrated into their new surroundings. It became evident that their bond wasn’t just born out of shared adversity but was a testament to the resilience of love and the healing power of companionship. Max, initially adopted for his strength and protectiveness, showed a tender and nurturing side when it came to looking out for Buddy.
In the weeks that followed, John witnessed the transformation of the two dogs. Max’s once guarded demeanor softened, and Buddy, once timid and fearful, blossomed under the reassuring presence of his loyal friend. Their story became a beacon of hope for the shelter staff and an inspiration for others considering pet adoption.
The narrative of Max and Buddy demonstrated that adoption is not merely a one-way act of kindness; it is a reciprocal exchange of love and trust. John, thinking he was saving Max, found himself equally saved by the unwavering friendship of these two resilient souls. The once broken spirits of Max and Buddy mended each other, creating a harmonious melody of healing in the quiet corners of John’s home.
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