By Laura Kearns

Copyright scotsman

One-year-old Hungarian vizsla Fred was referred to Linnaeus-owned Veterinary Specialists Scotland (VSS) in Livingston after losing nearly 10 per cent of his bodyweight. European diplomate in small animal internal medicine Nicki Reed diagnosed Fred with a paralysed oesophagus, meaning he was unable to swallow. The VSS team fitted Fred with a feeding tube into his stomach so he could receive water and essential nutrition to negate his weight loss. Nicki said: “Fred was unable to swallow food, water or even his own saliva. “Not only did this mean he was losing weight rapidly, it also meant he was at risk of inhaling saliva, water or food into his lungs which could cause serious pneumonia.” It was initially suspected Fred may have had an immune condition which targeted his muscles and caused the paralysed oesophagus. However, as he recovered without the need for steroids, the VSS team believe his illness was caused by something else, with Nicki adding: “As Fred’s condition started with vomiting, we think he had a food poisoning or toxin exposure which caused paralysis of his digestive system. “We sent Fred home, where he received nutrition through his feeding tube, and his owner was very dedicated to feeding him this way while his oesophagus was recovering. “He regained the function of his oesophagus and was able to have the feeding tube removed after four weeks. “All of us at VSS are so pleased Fred is now feeling better and starting to regain weight – and thank you to his owner who took the most amazing care of him at home!” Fred’s owner Sarah Thain thanked Nicki and the VSS team for treating her beloved dog. She said: “It was a slow road to recovery for Fred but each week he has continued to get stronger. You wouldn’t even know he had been so poorly. “He arrived at VSS having lost so much weight, so it feels like a miracle to see him back to full health now. “The team at VSS saved Fred’s life. I cannot thank the vets and nurses who looked after him enough. “What gave me real peace of mind was when we had to leave Fred behind after visiting, it was clear how much he loved all the staff – and I could see they all loved him, too. He became a bit of a celebrity!” VSS is a specialist-led multidisciplinary referral hospital offering services in cardiology, dermatology, emergency and critical care, internal medicine (feline and canine), neurology, orthopaedics, and soft tissue surgery, supported by specialists in diagnostic imaging and anaesthesia and analgesia. For more information about VSS and the services it offers, visit www.vetscotland.co.uk or search for Veterinary Specialists Scotland on social media.