This is the story of Lulu, my 6 year old Labrador.
On the 4th February 2015, Lulu went for her usual walk along the beautiful south coast near Lymington.
The following morning she was showing some unusual signs, she was off her food and subdued. We noticed some small lesions, so having heard the stories about Alabama Rot, we wasted no time in taking her to my local vet where she stayed overnight. The next day we agreed to transfer her to Anderson Moore's near Winchester, the leading vet for handling these cases. After three days, David Walker treating her, said he wasn't sure she was going to be a survivor.
We agreed we had nothing to lose in admitting her to the Royal Veterinary College’s (RVC) Queen Mother Animal Hospital in Hertfordshire, to undergo a non-guaranteed treatment called Plasma Exchange Therapy (PET).
Above- Arriving at the RVC
Below- Dialysis Bed
Below- Dialysis Bed
Things weren't looking good...
The first round of PET didn't work.
The first round of PET didn't work.
She has a second round of PET and is kept in the intensive care unit. She was there for three weeks...
After the third week Lulu looked like she was pulling through. Her vitals improved and she started to perk up a little and move around again. She even showed some interest in her favourite toy - the ball!
What a joy to see her back on her feet and wagging her tail again...
Although it does mean face licking resumes!
But it wasn't over yet...
She had left hospital, but restricted to a non meat diet she wasn't eating properly. We tried everything, but nothing worked. I then had the idea to take her to stay with my mother's dog Molly - maybe a bit of companionship and competition around feeding time would help.
Finally her spirits were rising and then we discovered she would eat porridge- bingo!
She had left hospital, but restricted to a non meat diet she wasn't eating properly. We tried everything, but nothing worked. I then had the idea to take her to stay with my mother's dog Molly - maybe a bit of companionship and competition around feeding time would help.
Finally her spirits were rising and then we discovered she would eat porridge- bingo!
Alabama Rot Research Fund
Lulu appears to have made a full recovery. But as a result of what Lulu and I went through, we decided to set up the Alabama Rot Research Fund charity to try and stop this disease, and its awful impact on dogs and their owners.
Lulu is now a top helper raising awareness of the fund, in order to try and save other dogs lives.
Lulu appears to have made a full recovery. But as a result of what Lulu and I went through, we decided to set up the Alabama Rot Research Fund charity to try and stop this disease, and its awful impact on dogs and their owners.
Lulu is now a top helper raising awareness of the fund, in order to try and save other dogs lives.
