The two-year-old dog became lethargic, thin and listless, deteriorating to the point that it was admitted to a pet hospital for a week for a blood transfusion.
“I was really worried about him,” Ms Powell, an enrolled nurse, said.
Testing confirmed Leo had ehrlichiosis, a disease transmitted through bites from brown dog ticks carrying the Ehrlichia canis bacteria.
But what worried the specialists is that Leo lives in the urban Top End, which some experts fear is becoming a new stronghold for a disease spreading like wildfire.
The first Australian case was detected in the Kimberley region of Western Australia in May last year.
By June, cases were rapidly emerging in Katherine in the Northern Territory and the surrounding remote communities.
The Northern Territory government has recorded 370 confirmed cases — 110 in the Darwin and Arnhem Land region, 149 in the Katherine region, 36 in Tennant Creek and in Alice Springs and surrounds, 75.
Experts say countless more have been left undetected in remote communities with little intervention.
“When we finally got to bring him home, [the vets] said he needs to stay inside, he’s at risk of spontaneous bleeding and he might not make it,” Ms Powell said.
“It was very full-on, very emotional.
“There were tears basically every night.”
Until the first cases were discovered just last year, stringent biosecurity controls had kept ehrlichiosis out of Australia.
Experts are still baffled by how the disease got in but, according to Professor Peter Irwin from the School of Veterinary Medicine at Murdoch University, the disease is now considered “endemic” across the NT.
“Ehrlichiosis is one of the most serious diseases of dogs in my opinion,” he said.
“It makes them very ill, and many dogs can die.
“Once it establishes into a tick population, it’s very difficult to eradicate.”
Common symptoms include lethargy, fever and cloudy eyes, which can be cleared up with antibiotics but, if left untreated, the disease can lead to blindness, uncontrollable bleeding and death.
“The problem with this disease is that dogs travel and spread infected ticks,” Professor Irwin said.
“Dogs that have moved from an endemic area of the community into the city will possibly bring ticks with them, and the ticks can then drop off.
“There have now been dogs with the disease identified in most other capitals, most as a result of travel from the north.”
Doctor Stephen Cutter, the head veterinarian at Darwin’s Ark Animal Hospital, is no stranger to the crippling disease.
He said up to 40 per cent of the dogs are infected in the remote communities of the Top End he visits on rotation.
But in August of last year, he saw his first case in a pet that had not left urban Darwin.
Arielle Giles, a vet at the Darwin Veterinary Hospital, confirmed the disease’s spread to Darwin, saying she had seen six cases in the past three months.
“It’s a devastatingly bad disease and it’s really difficult to treat,” Dr Cutter said.
“It’s basically everywhere and it’s now a matter of living with it.”
Both Professor Irwin and Dr Cutter said keeping ticks at bay is the best way to prevent ehrlichiosis.
“Because the infection is transmitted so quickly from the tick bites, the most important way of protecting your dog is to use a product, such as a collar that kills ticks before they bite,” Professor Irwin said.
It has now been five months since Leo was struck down by the tiny parasite and, while he is still getting regular check-ups and his future is looking brighter, vets can’t give the all-clear.
“Ehrlichiosis is really nasty in that it can stay hidden in the bone marrow for a long period of time,” Dr Cutter said.
Earlier this year, the NT government brought on a new coordinator to transition the NT’s response to the disease from a biosecurity threat to managing the outbreak.
“This disease is a nationally notifiable disease, which means that suspected cases of E.canis need to be reported, and free testing can be carried out on blood samples from suspected dogs,” said the chief vet at the Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade, Dr Sue Fitzpatrick.
The dog is trying to sell vegetables to the poor owner, hoping to receive support from everyone, touching millions of people
In the bustling market where struggles and stories unfold, a touching scene recently captured the attention of onlookers and warmed the hearts of millions. This unique spectacle featured a loyal dog assisting its impoverished owner in selling goods, creating a bond that transcends the boundaries of hardship.
Amidst the chaotic marketplace, where vendors vie for attention and customers navigate through a sea of options, a particular duo stood out. An owner, burdened by economic challenges, was accompanied by a faithful canine companion, forming an inseparable team. The dog, demonstrating unwavering loyalty and dedication, actively participated in the sales process, capturing the admiration of those who witnessed this extraordinary partnership.
What makes this scene even more remarkable is the evident synergy between the two. The owner and the dog seem to communicate without words, relying on a silent understanding that goes beyond the confines of human and animal interaction. The dog, equipped with an improvised carrying harness, dutifully helps transport and display the goods, showcasing a level of cooperation and companionship that goes beyond the ordinary.
Passersby and market-goers couldn’t help but be moved by the resilience of this dynamic duo. In a world often preoccupied with its challenges, the scene serves as a poignant reminder of the unbreakable bond that can exist between humans and animals. It goes beyond the transactional nature of a market, transcending economic struggles to unveil a narrative of companionship and mutual support.
The viral nature of the scene has led to an outpouring of support and empathy from people worldwide. Social media platforms have been flooded with comments expressing admiration for the dog’s loyalty and the owner’s determination. Many have shared their own stories of unique connections with animals, emphasizing the profound impact these relationships can have on individuals facing adversity.
This heartwarming scene serves as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the incredible capacity of animals to provide solace and support. In the midst of life’s challenges, the bond between this owner and their dog shines as a beacon of hope, reminding us all of the extraordinary connections that can flourish, even in the most unexpected places.
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