Wilma Valerio

Meet Wilma Valerio, a courageous little 13 year-old Schnauzer who has survived a very serious disease this year with the love and commitment of her outstanding owner, Karen. In early September, Karen brought Wilma to the clinic because she had been vomiting and was feeling lethargic. Her physical exam and lab tests showed abnormalities consistent with pancreatitis, a painful and often life-threatening inflammation of the pancreas. Wilma was referred to a specialist who performed additional testing and provided round the clock intensive care.

Over the next several weeks, Wilma battled pancreatitis and a severely distended gall bladder. She had two surgeries, many tests and was sent home from the hospital with enough medication to open her own pharmacy!

Just as Wilma was feeling good enough to wrestle with her housemates, Karen woke up one morning and watched as Wilma became wobbly, then completely unable to stand. She took Wilma back to the specialist who diagnosed a neck injury that was causing swelling and subsequent pressure on her spinal cord. X-rays also showed that Wilma's left lung lobes had collapsed, possibly during her last surgery.

The neck injury meant Wilma spent another 10 days resting in her cage. After more scrutiny by the specialist and a re-check of her lungs, Wilma was declared healed. She has been healthy since November, and Karen says Wilma is like a puppy again."except she sleeps a lot". We think she's earned a nap or two, don't you?