Annie’s Story

Age at diagnosis: 12 years

Breed: Jack Russell Terrier

Annie was rescued and came to live with us just before she turned one. She has travelled lots of places with us in our campervan and with our other dog Dodger, who is a spaniel. Over the last year she slowed down walking and at the time our vet said it was okay, she was getting on a bit and a walk round the garden will be enough.

However, in October last year she started to slow right down and by Christmas her front paw kept turning under. Our first available appointment with the vet, due to it being Christmas, was the 6th January. From that appointment it was recommended an MRI to be carried out, which we did end of January. After the scan they said she would be a bit wobbly - that was the last time we saw her walk properly.

Two weeks later she was crying for no reason and hid in the garden in pain. We rushed her to the vets and to be honest we didn't think we would be coming back home with her. She was kept in overnight on strong painkillers and by morning she was better, but they decided a spinal tap would need to be done as soon as possible. That is when we were given the diagnosis of likely to be MUO.

We are regularly at the vets every three weeks and the last time we were there it was evident to the vet there was no change, and we were told if this is what it is then we need to look at Annie's quality of life. Of course we are determined to keep going, as in her head she knows us and greets us when we come. We are just starting hydrotherapy and she has passed her assessment today. They said there are still some leg muscles that can be worked and a change of diet is needed - so fingers crossed. 🐾

Annie is part of The Theo Project's canine meningitis registry - a growing global collection of MUE, MUO and SRMA stories shared to help families facing this diagnosis.