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By Alice Gibbs
Senior Reporter
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Cherished pet Zeta defied the odds when she overcame a serious illness, despite most people being sure she would not survive.
Zeta, who lives with her owners in the city of Ocala, Florida, was hit with a life-threatening bout of severe heatstroke during an excursion on October 12, 2023. While hiking on a woodland trail, she suddenly had a medical emergency triggered by overheating and collapsed. Rushed to the critical care unit at the University of Florida Veterinary Hospital in Gainesville, Zeta's condition was critical, with complications affecting her heart, vascular system and gastrointestinal tract, which led to aspiration pneumonia.
"At the onset, she wasn't expected to survive; her entire body was thrown into chaos," owner Kathi Scarnato told Newsweek. "She was in the critical care unit for 12 days, and the initial prognosis was grim," Scarnato added. "Her entire system was affected."
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Dogs are less efficient at regulating their body temperature than humans, making them more susceptible to heatstroke, especially in hot or poorly ventilated environments.
Some dogs are more prone to heatstroke than others, like those that are overweight, have a thick coat, are elderly, young, or have pre-existing health conditions such as airway, lung, or heart problems.
Signs of heatstroke in dogs can include heavy panting, difficulty breathing, excessive drooling, lethargy, vomiting, and collapse. If you are worried that your dog might be suffering heatstroke, you should move the pet to a shaded and cool area and seek veterinary assistance as soon as possible.
The veterinary team at the University of Florida Veterinary Hospital in Gainesville implemented a comprehensive care plan for Zeta. This included intubation with a nasogastric tube to address gastrointestinal bleeding, plasma blood transfusions to stabilize her blood levels, and IV antibiotics to combat potential infections.
Incredibly, Zeta's heart, which initially showed erratic rhythms, gradually stabilized during her stay in the critical care unit.
"Every day, I drove up to Gainesville and spent time in the cage with her, praying for her recovery," Scarnato said. "The dedication of the veterinarians, particularly Dr. Corey Fisher, Dr. Diana Carter, and veterinary student Madisyn Main, was truly remarkable. They monitored her closely, adjusted treatments, and provided round-the-clock care."
Three weeks after returning home from the critical care unit, Zeta was checked over at the local vet clinic where the results were incredible. "Zeta had no signs of any heart arrhythmia," said Scarnato. "I will always believe her miraculous recovery was a result of all the non-stop praying for her in her time of need. I consider this a miracle."
Now approaching 10 years old, Zeta is happier than ever. Her owner says she is acting like a puppy all over again.
"I am truly humbled by this gift of having my precious best friend fully restored to health against the scientific odds," said Scarnato. "She is living proof that prayer works."
Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
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