We Have Lost a Dear One

Bongo
CH That's The Heart of the Cuban Beat
FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS

We have sad news that has taken us a while to make public, as we were waiting for full necropsy results.  Then it took me a while to be able to put it down in writing.

Bongo, CH Thats The Heart of the Cuban Beat, a beautiful Havanese boy that we bred, and co-owned with Carol and George Janes, has passed away.  Bongo was only 5 years old. 

Bongo presented with allergy-like symptom at the beginning of one week.  Unusual for him, Carol took him to the vet, who also thought allergies.  By Saturday, he was not better, and in fact was worse.  He was having difficulty swallowing and his breath was becoming very raspy.  Back to the vet, then off to the emergency/specialty clinic.  After admission, IVs, intubation, and many extensive tests, it was determined that he had a form of strep.  Bongo was put on several antibiotics and other medications.  He had minor improvement, but despite Carol and George doing everything possible, Bong eventually lost his battle, within a week of first symptoms. 

Bongo
CH That's The Heart of the Cuban Beat
2010-2015

Carol and George also have another Havanese:  2 ½ year old Benny, GCH That's The Original Parti Dog at Maple Haven.  The week after losing Bongo, Benny presented with similar allergy-type symptoms, so the vet immediately started him on antibiotics.  Those particular medications were not helping.  The Janes were very proactive, and had a necropsy performed on Bongo and remained in constant contact with several of the vets, including the one performing the necropsy.  When that vet found out that they had a another dog, she was even more determined to find out what happened.  She performed resistance tests (?) on the bacteria and it was determined that Benny was on the wrong antibiotics.  He was switched to ones that should be more effective.  It has been 2 weeks, and Benny is still having a bit of a cough and the occasional sneeze, but continues to improve.  Our prayers go out to Carol, George, and Benny for their loss and continued recovery.  It is scary to think that they could also have lost Benny by now, had they not had the necropsy performed. 

This was NOT THE FLU.  THIS WAS STREP.  It was in Bongo's tissues and progressed rapidly.

While we are heartbroken over the loss of this great little dog, I share this today for two reasons:
1.     When you lose a pet to an unknown or mysterious cause, do a necropsy.   By the Janes agreeing to have on performed on Bongo, they are saving Benny's life. 
2.     This is a nasty infection.  Anyone who has a dog that presents with allergy symptoms, please follow up.  Do not assume anything.  Do not let your vet take it lightly.  Don't let it go. 

YOU ARE YOUR DOG'S ONLY ADVOCATE and can easily be his worst nightmare. 
LET'S TAKE CARE OF OUR 4-LEGGED FAMILY MEMBERS.

There is no clue as to where Bongo got this infection.  They had not been to any shows recently, no dog parks, or anywhere else that would raise suspicion.  Was this something transmitted from another animal that happened to pass through their yard?  We just don't know.  Based on the necropsy, there is no evidence that it can be passed between humans and dogs.  It does appear to be highly contagious between animals.

Our continued prayers go out to Carol, George, and Benny.  

Bongo & Carol 

I hope that I have these details correct.  At this time, it is too painful to go back and read through all of the emails, lab results, and vet reports.