02/27/2025
🐾 Patient of the Month: Edwin 🐾
This month, we have a very special story to share – one that includes the inviolable bond between a girl and her dog and the importance of emergency medical intervention.
Meet Edwin, a 2-year-old Rhodesian Ridgeback who recently faced a life-threatening medical emergency. Edwin was outside for just a few minutes when he suddenly collapsed, becoming unresponsive. He was rushed to his primary veterinarian, where he was treated for a suspected anaphylactic reaction before being transferred to our Overland Park hospital for intensive care.
Upon arrival at our Overland Park hospital, Edwin was admitted. ER veterinarian Dr. Brittany McBrain and our team immediately provided around-the-clock monitoring and advanced supportive care. Edwin’s condition was complicated by persistent ventricular arrhythmias (rapid heartbeat) and severe gastrointestinal symptoms, including hemorrhagic diarrhea. During his time with us, ER veterinarian Dr. Molly Roenne consulted our cardiologist, Dr. Shane Murphy, to stabilize his heart, adjusting his lidocaine therapy to control dangerous runs of ventricular tachycardia. His GI symptoms were closely managed with medications and careful nutrition support.
Edwin's primary veterinarian and Dr. McBrain were suspicious of anaphylaxis, but it wasn’t until Dr. Roenne performed a FAST scan of his gallbladder that the diagnosis was confirmed. Edwin had significant gallbladder wall edema. When dogs experience anaphylaxis, their immune system releases large amounts of histamines in their GI tract. This causes the blood to become sludgy with inflammatory factors, leading to gallbladder wall edema. The shock organ in dogs is their GI tract, which explains Edwin’s severe blood diarrhea. All of these findings confirmed that he was indeed in anaphylactic shock.
It being winter, we have no clear answer as to what triggered Edwin’s reaction. Bee stings or spider bites are common culprits, but an insect sting seems unlikely given the cold weather and his brief time outside. Often, the cause remains unknown. However, Edwin’s family veterinarian and his owners did everything right—getting him immediate care and starting treatment with fluids, steroids, and antihistamines.
Despite his critical state, Edwin remained his calm and sweet self. Though he initially showed little interest in food, he perked up when his loving owners visited and happily accepted food from them. After days of intensive monitoring and treatment, his arrhythmias improved, and his condition stabilized enough for a safe discharge. Edwin is now home, continuing his recovery with rest, love, and plenty of peanut butter to help with his medications!
✨Edwin shares a very special bond with Layne, his young owner, who has been by his side through every challenge. Their connection is undeniable, and together, they have accomplished incredible things. Edwin and Layne recently participated in the Johnson County Fair, where Edwin earned Reserve, Champion, and Agility—a testament to his good nature and remarkable partnership. Layne wrote a story for the fair, highlighting the obstacles Edwin faced early on in his life.
We are honored to have been a part of Edwin’s journey back to health so he could return home to his girl and keep their family whole. 🥰🐶