Owners stand behind their puppy as she battles severe health problems

Submitted by Dr. Paige Garnett

Meet Beans, a female Boston terrier owned by Carmen and Walter Orbach. Beans was purchased at a Metro Denver pet store. The couple fell in love with her and added her to their household with their other adult Boston terrier, Boo.

Soon after purchase, Beans developed a significant respiratory infection and when she presented to Care Animal Hospital, she had pneumonia. Using high powered antibiotics and with a strong will to live and dedication by the owners, Beans responded and recovered from her pneumonia.

At about the same time as that diagnosis, on a fecal check for diarrhea she was experiencing, the technical staff found a very unusual intestinal parasite known as strongyloides, (the first time Dr. Garnett had seen this parasite) that can be passed to human beings as well, along with giardia, a common one celled organism seen frequently in Colorado dogs. Again, through the use of proper medication and with the diligence and perseverance of the owners, Beans was able to surmount the strongyloides infection. Giardia has recently been eliminated after many, many attempts at control.

Thinking she was finally coming out to see the light, Beans developed significant neurologic impairment, and the diagnosis of hydrocephalus was made. Hydrocephalus (water on the brain) is rather frequently seen in dogs with a domed head. Her skull had not formed correctly, leaving an opening that suggested this diagnosis. Each day she became more and more confused and finally could not walk. Drug therapy was utilized that had the potential of harming Beans, but it proved to help the fluid drain from her skull and day by day she recovered more abilities.

Her final hurdle has been a skin mite known as demodex, which is non-contagious but common in dogs with immature and debilitated immune systems. Since drugs were used to lower her immune system to treat the hydrocephalus, it is thought this might have lead to her mite condition. She was started on a 2 month long regimen to treat this mite.

Beans had an ovariohysterectomy 2 weeks ago and the staff is happy to report that her skin scraping did not show any Demodex parasites. So, after numerous hurdles, and owners that went far beyond above and beyond for her, she now is enjoying her life with her owners and brother Boston terrier, Boo.

Three cheers for a very special dog and very faithful family.