Lost our Chester to Encephalitis. This is his story.

[Carrie king]

Its crazy, for the past few weeks I have been thinking non stop about this site.  Thinking that I cant believe how fast time has gone and I havent posted anything about Chester in a very, very long time.  I came to this website for support, because I felt overwhelmed by him.  I had never met any puppy like that.  He seemed wild at times, like someone had forgotten to domesticate him.  He was pure energy, chewed everything, picked on our poodles, never stopped moving or creating chaos.  If you tried to pick him up or stop him, it was like picking up a tornado of teeth and razor sharp nails.  Nevertheless, we stayed the course. Finding things we could do to get his energy out.  Doing everything we could to be good dog parents.  

Boy did it ever pay off.  He started listening.  It was like a victory every time! He responded to praise.  So instead of harsh discipline, exuberant praise when he did the right thing was often much more effective.  Pretty soon we settled into our routine and couldnt have been more happy with our lives with him.  

Chester loved life.  He woke up ready to go and do and have fun.  He ADORED chasing bunnies we often have in and out of our yard.  He did love to dig for a while, but he grew out of that.  He was a big time fetcher.  Could fetch for hours and his leaps were insane.  Big air and crazy body torques.  It was a sight.  He loved the car.  Whenever we were leaving he was right there begging to go and when we took him (often) he smiled the entire time.  Loved shoving his big face out and feeling the air whoosh by.  He loved water and peanut butter and his big back yard.  But most of all he loved people.  We felt special to be his people.  

About a week and a half ago now Chester started showing signs of being sick.  He wasnt himself. Super lethargic.  We took him in for bloodwork and an x ray and everything was normal.  We had to wait a few days for the valley fever test results.  So we took him home.  Over the next day or two he got worse.  He would stop in the middle of walking and just stand there frozen.  He would lay down, but he wouldnt sleep.  He would eat, but only if I hand fed him.  We were reassured it still might be valley fever.  But I was worried sick, so we took him to another vet.  When we got there he was in the middle of one of his "episodes".  He couldnt barely get around, was wobbly when he stood and drooled constantly.  Seeing him like this broke my heart into a million pieces.  We also noticed he had a strange pulse, or small convulsion in his jaw, neck and eyes.  I even took video of it.  But the vet didnt see and still thought it was ok to take him home.  She did suspect possibly seizures and gave us an anti convulsant to give him.  We gave this to him faithfully. But it had no effect. Except to make him more tired, confused and wobbly.  He got no relief.  He layed on me all night panting uncontrollably.  By the next day I could take no more, I made an appt with a neurologist.  When I took him there though, it seemed to snap him out of it.  He showed very little signs while we were there, except a tiredness and a little wobbliness.  So I was given instructions to take more video and think about doing an MRI if the meds didnt work.  We nursed him through another night and by the next day he was so bad he couldnt move.  I rushed him back to the neuro and they hospitalized him and told me he had brain swelling.  So they used steroids to control it.  They said it helped.  He got up and started eating.  Went outside etc..  MRI was scheduled for the following morning.  I had such a peace inside.  I knew they were going to finally give me a diagnosis, and a treatment.  My boy was finally going to get relief.  But Chester didnt wake up from anesthesia.  He died right there on the table, without us.  We did go and say goodbye before they put him to sleep properly, but he was already brain dead.  I am so angry and sad.  There are no words to describe it.  It was so sudden, he was only 2 years old.  How could this have happened?? Ive been trying to grapple with it, but the whole thing just leaves me feeling sick with anger and grief.  I cannot believe he is gone.  Its just a gaping void without him.  

His final diagnosis was encephalitis of unknown origin.  Has anyone else had any experience with this? Heard of doodle having this? I am just trying to wrap my mind around this.  

I also wanted to share because if you see your dog doing any of these things, do not wait, go immediately to a neurologist and push for treatment asap.  I do not want anyone to have to see their dog suffer this way.  

[F, Calla & Luca]

I am so sorry to hear about Chester. I wonder if earlier treatment could have saved Chester and I sincerely doubt it. Encephalitis would be hard to diagnose in a dog I imagine and even with the best of treatment a bad outcome may occur. 

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Although we have lost one at a young age to Cancer, I had the time to prepare myself.  My heart always goes out to those who lose them so quickly and even more so without much explanation or even an accident.  I just cannot bear to think how much more painful that would be.  Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you.   

[Judy, Meg & Polly Wolly Doodle]

How heartbreaking to hear this.  So sorry that you have lost such a bundle of love.

[Laurie, Wally & Charlotte]

I don't know what to say, but I want you to know how terribly sorry I am that your dear Chester is gone.  

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I am so terribly sorry for your loss. Thank you for reaching out in the midst of your sadness to warn others about this terrible illness. Hugs to you. 

[Nancy & Echo]

I am so sorry about your loss.  Of course, I am not a vet, but I did find this on one website.  Perhaps it is a possible cause?

Granulomatous Meningoencephalitis

To me, it sounds like the symptoms sound similar.  (Obviously I can't diagnose.) It says it is almost invariably fatal, and poodles and poodle mixes (among others) are predisposed.  According to this article, it says most dogs are 2-6 years old when they get this.

 http://pets.webmd.com/dogs/brain-diseases-in-dogs?page=2

Whatever the cause, I am so sorry this happened to you.  I am at a loss for words.

 

[Doris]

I'm so sorry for your loss. It is heartbreaking.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I have no words.....you did everything that you could possibly do and I'm sure Chester knew that.  I have such respect for all that you did to teach him and support him through that difficult puppy stage.  Thanks for sharing this so that others will know what to do if they ever see these symptoms.

[Stella]

So very sorry. Hugs to you and your family.

[Janie, Jackson and Jilly]

I am so very sorry to hear about Chester. Thank you for sharing your story. Hugs to you. 

[Wendy and Myla]

So very very sorry.  I cannot imagine your heartbreak!  It sounds like Chester was very lucky to have you as his parents for his very short life!  Sending hugs!

[Lori, Winnie, Bob and Indie]

I am so sorry for your loss- I can't imagine the pain you must be going through. (((Hugs)))