Meet Harley
Harley was born February 14, 2025 in Texas. During her time
there, she was bitten on the head by another dog. This was treated by
flushing the wound and giving anti-biotics. Harley was transferred to
PAWS in Lynnwood, WA May 2, 2025. Another round of anti-biotics was
given May 20, 2025 when she was spayed.
We adopted Harley on May 24, 2025 to give her a forever home
with us. She was a little unsteady on her feet and had the cutest
folded ears on top of her head. We attributed the stumbling to just
having long legs and being a puppy that was still learning.
We received a free first visit voucher at VCA. At the visit on
June 7, 2025, the vet did not like how the wound on the head was
healing and Harley was given another round of
anti-biotics.
Harley continued to learn and play. The head tilt
started straightening and the ears began to unfold during the
following weeks. Then suddenly, on June 25, 2025, Harley began not
only tilting her head again but also turning her neck. We had an
appointment for our other dog that weekend and wanted to express our
concerns to the veterinarian as Harley was not wanting to do much and
would just lay down. We scheduled a same day visit on June 28, 2025.
Dr. Samson at Veterinary Care Clinic in Marysville, WA immediately
referred us to Neurology at Veterinary Specialty Center of Seattle in
Lynnwood, WA. Harley was prescribed an anti-nausea medicine and an
anti-inflammatory. The specialty clinic was able to see us on July
3rd, 2025.
During the consultation with Dr. Peterson, she was very
concerned about Harley’s head tilt, walking against walls to get
around, and delayed eye response on one side. After discussion, we
decided to have the recommended MRI. This was scheduled for July 7, 2025.
The MRI findings were scary. The bite on Harley’s head had
punctured through her skull into her brain. The doctor believed that
the findings were caused by a bacterial infection that was not treated
properly from the wound on her head.
“Harley's MRI revealed severe and extensive changes in both her
brain and spinal cord. Harley's MRI shows that she has a condition
called hydrocephalus (excess fluid accumulation in the brain) and a
similar condition called syringomyelia (excess fluid accumulation in
the spinal cord). Harley's MRI also shows evidence of
meningoencephalitis (inflammation of the brain). Given her history, we
are most concerned that these changes are due to a bacterial infection
that Harley was exposed to from a prior trauma. Due to the severity of
these changes, we are concerned that Harley's condition could be
life-threatening which is why we have started her on a more intensive
treatment plan.”
Harley is now on 5 different medications, and we have been
monitoring her at home. She has a follow-up appointment on July 19,
2025. We were advised that our next steps would be physical therapy
for her neck if the excess fluid decreased and she was stable in that
regard. If she continues to have excess fluid, we will need to place
a shunt.
Harley has had a very tough beginning, and we love her and want
to help her live a full and beautiful life, but it’s financially
straining, and we don’t know if we can afford not only what we have
already paid, but whatever comes next.
Please help.
