A one-year-old Dachshund named Mylo has made a remarkable recovery after specialist vets at Lumbry Park Veterinary Hospital in Hampshire saved him from a life-threatening immune system disease. Mylo, who lives with his owners James and George in Ipswich, had been suffering from immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia, a condition where the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys red blood cells.
James and George first noticed Mylo becoming unusually weak, lethargic, and refusing to eat or even go for his usual walks. Concerned, they took him to their local vet, where they were told that Mylo’s condition was critical and that his chances of survival were slim. The vet recommended transferring Mylo to Lumbry Park for specialist care.
Upon arrival at Lumbry Park, a team of expert vets led by Pieter Defauw, Head of Internal Medicine, quickly carried out blood tests and imaging scans to diagnose Mylo’s condition. They discovered that he was suffering from an aggressive form of immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia. This serious condition was causing his immune system to destroy red blood cells rapidly within his blood vessels, a severe manifestation of the disease.
Recognising the urgency, the veterinary team immediately implemented an intensive treatment plan aimed at halting the destruction of Mylo’s red blood cells. He was given a new course of medication to counter his overactive immune system, alongside six blood transfusions to stabilise his body while the medication took effect. However, Mylo’s recovery was complicated by additional challenges, including severe jaundice, pneumonia, and blood clots, which required further treatment.
After 16 days of intensive care, Mylo was finally stable enough to return home. Just weeks after his discharge, his owners reported that he had regained his strength and his usual playful personality. Over a year later, Mylo continues to live a happy and active life, showing no signs of his previous illness.
Reflecting on Mylo’s case, Pieter Defauw expressed his relief at the dog’s recovery. “When Mylo first came to us, we were very worried. Immune-mediated anaemia is not uncommon, but Mylo’s case was particularly severe. Without the intensive treatment, he would not have survived. Despite his illness, Mylo remained full of character during his stay with us, and it was a pleasure for the whole team to care for him.”
James and George, Mylo’s owners, are deeply grateful for the care their pet received. “Looking at Mylo now, it’s hard to believe how sick he was a year ago. He’s back to being his cheeky, fun-loving self, and we couldn’t be more thankful to Pieter and the team at Lumbry Park for saving his life.”
Lumbry Park Veterinary Hospital, established in 2015, is one of the UK’s leading veterinary referral centres. It offers a wide range of specialist services, including cardiology, oncology, neurology, and critical care, with state-of-the-art facilities for treating complex medical conditions in pets. For more information visit: www. lumbrypark.co.uk.