Cavalier King Charles puppies are fragile. It’s not uncommon to lose one at birth, or shortly after. They easily get chilled or dehydrated, or just pass away for reasons unknown.

For about 5 days this week, my whole litter had weird diarrhea. Watery, light yellow and very stinky. I took them to the vet several times but their stool samples showed nothing in it. We gave them a long acting antibiotic (convenia) and tylosin and probiotics. We than added Albon just in case there was something we missed like coccidia in the stool sample.

On Thursday of this week, I noticed the littlest pup, Josephine, was not doing well. She wasn’t able to nurse as long as the others and was seeming to be very dehydrated. She then seemed to be aspirating it as she started to foam at the mouth, and bleed from the nose while struggling for air. We started oxygen support and called the vet (again). He felt that she was too sick and the best course of action was to humanely euthanize her and to go to the ER (it was after hours).

I should also add that I was home alone from Wednesday as my husband and daughter went out of state for a college visit.

I called my husband sobbing and he had some good advice. He told me that while going to the ER was good, it wouldn’t be a good idea as then I leave my other 3 pups unattended for an unknown amount of time. He felt I should just love on her while she passed at home. So, that’s what I did.

Meantime, a friend of mine who lives in Spokane and breeds beagles (Dolly from JoyfulNoise beagles) drove 5+ hours to come and help – I had no idea and when she arrived I was so grateful for the help and support. My other friend Becky, who isn’t in “dogs” at all, came over also and brought coffees and made meals – I was so so grateful.

Dolly and I, with the support of food from Becky, subQd and held little Josie and her siblings through the night and Friday. At one point she was floppy and had lost all color in her feet, and tummy – she was all white. Her breathing slowed down to once every 5-10 seconds and she didn’t twitch (normal in a healthy pup). Dolly and I tried to make a plan of what point we should take her to euthanize her – it was very hard to talk about.

Dolly then came across a blog that talked about enema’s and the power they have to hydrate and replace electrolytes. The blog talked about in extreme cases you can do it every hour for 24 hours. So, we decided to give it a go. If you want to read the blog, i will attach it below. The recipe for the emema is:

1 liter of water 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda 2 tablespoons of agave nectar 1/2 tablespoon of sea salt Combine all ingredients in a water bottle and warm and slowly give your dog the amount recommended by the veterinarian. WARNINGS DO NOT use alternative sweeteners such as aspartame, sucralose or stevia, as they will not supply the sugars needed to balance canine electrolytes. Commercial products designed for humans may contain the sweetener xylitol, which can cause poisoning, seizures and death in dogs. The fluid MUST have electrolytes! NEVER EVER give a straight water enema. Again, the reason for this is because a straight water enema will only dehydrate your dog further.

Dolly and I are both believers and so we prayed over her and committed her life and death to God. My mom also happened to call from NZ and she prayed with us also. There was lots of crying – it didn’t help we were running on days without sleep and it was midnight. All of a sudden Miss Josie started to twitch a little – her ears and eye brows. Then her feet and then finally her whole body. We tube fed her a small amount and all of a sudden she was up on her feet. Dolly and I were blown away – we prayed in thanks to God as I can only describe this as a total miracle.

Josie needed support and we continued to give enemas every 1.5-2 hours and fed her very small amounts from tube feeding every 1-1.5 hours. So, literally we were feeding and pottying around the clock. But it worked. She went from strength to strength and by Monday was strong enough to nurse off mom again.

I should also add that the other pups diarrhea improved slowly but surely over the weekend also.

Dolly headed home before a storm hit and thankfully made it safe and sound. And I sit and marinate in thankfulness to the miracle that I experienced and that I am certain to God be the glory. <3