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.
Touching the loyal dog who became a friend to guard the sleep of the little girl in the hospital bed, making millions of hearts melt, a Tale of Unconditional Love and Comfort.
In the world of unexpected and heartwarming connections, there are stories that touch our souls and reaffirm the incredible bonds between humans and their furry companions. This is the touching tale of a loyal dog who, in a hospital room, became not only a friend but a guardian, watching over a little girl as she slept, a narrative that has melted the hearts of countless individuals.
The story unfolds within the sterile walls of a hospital room, where a young girl was facing a challenging and often frightening medical journey. Her hospital stay was marked by uncertainty and discomfort, as she grappled with a condition that required extensive treatment. It was a time when the presence of a comforting friend became all the more important.
It was during this period that a furry companion entered the picture, bringing a ray of warmth and comfort to the young girl’s life. A loyal dog, known for its unwavering devotion to the family, found a way to be by her side. This remarkable canine not only sensed the little girl’s distress but also recognized her need for companionship and comfort.
As day turned into night, the little girl’s loyal friend took on a new role—a guardian of dreams. With gentle eyes and a caring heart, the dog curled up by her hospital bed, its presence serving as a comforting reassurance. Through the night, the dog remained vigilant, watching over the young patient, ensuring she felt safe and protected.
The story of the loyal dog’s nightly vigil captured the hearts of millions when it was shared online. It resonated deeply with people from all walks of life, evoking a sense of empathy and appreciation for the incredible capacity of animals to bring comfort and solace, especially during challenging times.
The narrative of the loyal dog’s bond with the little girl in the hospital is a testament to the remarkable connections that can exist between humans and their four-legged companions. It underscores the empathy and understanding that animals can offer, often intuitively knowing when their human friends need their presence the most.
The story serves as a source of inspiration, reminding us of the therapeutic and uplifting qualities of the human-animal bond. It highlights the unique ability of dogs, in particular, to provide solace and companionship, transcending the boundaries of language and understanding.
In closing, the tale of the loyal dog who became a guardian to a little girl in the hospital is a powerful message of love and comfort. It reminds us that, even in the most challenging of circumstances, there is a source of solace and strength to be found in the presence of a loyal friend. The bond between this little girl and her furry guardian serves as an enduring reminder of the profound impact that animals can have on our lives, melting hearts and leaving an indelible mark of love and comfort.
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