Fiona’s Story

Today’s story features Fiona, a 5-year-old Pekingese.

Fiona’s owners brought her to our clinic after hours, deeply concerned after she began experiencing labored abdominal breathing about an hour prior. An important detail: Fiona had given birth to a litter of puppies just five weeks earlier and was still nursing them.

During the clinical examination, the patient was found to have hyperthermia (elevated temperature). Upon auscultation (listening to the chest), sounds characteristic of pulmonary edema were detected. Blood tests revealed severe hypocalcemia (dangerously low blood calcium levels), and X-rays confirmed the diagnosis of pulmonary edema (fluid accumulation in the lungs).

Fiona was admitted to our intensive care unit (ICU) for oxygen therapy and pharmacological treatment. After several days of intensive care, Fiona’s condition stabilized, her calcium levels returned to normal, and she was cleared to go home. It is incredibly rewarding when expertise and swift action lead to such positive outcomes! Stay healthy, Fiona!