Dougall on sick leave.

Some of you who follow this blog (and there aren't many, so thank you) may have noticed that it has been a while since I posted a "Discoveries with Dougall". Our exuberant neighbourhood Boxer was taken ill with paralysis tick and last week he was in emergency care.

These ticks emit a toxin into the animal which begins to affect their nervous system and his owner noticed he fell down the stairs and was not himself. The serum or antitoxin which is administered may cause a severe reaction and that is what happened to Dougall. It was touch and go at one point.

We were all devastated by the news and waited patiently to see how he would respond to treatment. He was put on oxygen and sedated as he was not reacting well. Mercifully he has pulled through and has returned home, weaker, thinner and with half a bark. He is on sick leave and no walks allowed, but he is eating well and I am hopeful that soon he will be back to his bouncy self. 

I went over to give him a cuddle today. Here he is.