Fable was brought to the Emergency Vet on October 30th for what was thought to be rapidly developing Pneumonia. She was then administered antibiotics following the Irish Wolfhound Pneumonia Protocol by an ER VET & her Primary Vet. Unfortunately before her scheduled 3rd check up with her primary she took a turn for the worse. When Avary & I arrived home from work at 7:45pm, on November 12th, she was extremely lethargic & had a temperature of 105.8

Fable was rushed to Mission Veterinary Emergency & Specialty where she has remained in critical condition in the ICU

Current Updated Medical Summary for Fable

Fable is currently being stabilized for a lung infection, which the veterinary team believes is most likely a significant, heavily infectious & antibiotic resistant pneumonia and/or fungal infection. Earlier imaging suggested the possibility of a fungal pneumonia, but based on updated ultrasound results, her symptoms now appear more consistent with a bacterial or infectious-disease–driven pneumonia that is resistant to average antibiotic treatment, rather than a fungal cause.

Because her clinical picture is complex and could point to a few different infectious processes, the veterinary team is being thorough and covering all possibilities.

Diagnostic Steps Being Taken

1. Infectious Disease Panel

She is undergoing a full infectious disease panel.

This testing helps determine:

• Whether she is carrying any additional infectious agents,

• What type of pathogen (bacterial, fungal, viral, etc.) is causing the pneumonia,

• And which targeted treatment will be most effective.

2. Needle & Scope Procedure

The team will be performing a needle and scope procedure, which allows them to:

• Directly visualize the affected areas,

• Collect samples for cultures,

• Identify the exact infectious organism,

• And rule out anatomical issues, such as structural defects that could make it hard for her to clear fluid or infection on her own.

This process is done while waiting for lab results to come back, helping narrow down the list of possible causes and making diagnosis more precise.

What We Know So Far

• Imaging suggests pneumonia from a significant infectious agent, not necessarily a congenital defect but we cannot fully rule that out

• She does not have a confirmed fungal infection at this time—testing is still underway.

• Her condition is serious but very treatable once the infection is identified.

Treatment Plan Going Forward

1. Final Diagnosis

Once culture results and infectious panel results return, the team will know exactly what organism is responsible.

2. Antibiotics/Antifungals Adjusted as Needed

They will tailor her medications—either changing or strengthening antibiotics (or antifungals if needed)—based on those findings.

3. Monitoring Fever & Stability

She will remain hospitalized until:

• Her fever is controlled,

• She is stable,

• And she can take the correct medications orally.

4. Discharge Plan

Once she is:

• Stable,

• Medically managed,

• Responding to treatment,

she will be cleared to come home.

The team is approaching this with a “cover all bases” mindset, testing thoroughly to ensure nothing is missed and she receives the most effective treatment possible since our prior weeks of antibiotic treatment did not work.

Outlook

Even though things feel uncertain right now, the good news is:

• Her condition is pointing toward an infection that can be knocked out with the right targeted medication,

• The steps being taken are thorough and appropriate,

• And she is in the right place to get the care she needs.