Her Heart Stopped for 17 Minutes. But Nelly Survived.

Nelly, a playful and affectionate dog from Portland, almost didn’t make it one night after accidentally ingesting three different types of human medications. When her family came home to find her in distress, panic set in—they immediately rushed her to DoveLewis 24/7 Animal Hospital.

Shortly after arriving, Nelly’s heart stopped completely. In a tense, all-hands-on-deck effort, our team performed 17 straight minutes of CPR, delivering continuous chest compressions and defibrillation in a relentless fight to bring her back. Against all odds, her heart finally began beating again.

Even after her heart restarted, danger lingered. The medications she had ingested could trigger seizures, dangerous heart rhythms, or permanent organ damage. We stayed by her side around the clock, giving fluids to flush toxins from her system, medications to protect her liver, and treatments to prevent seizures and control nausea. Every heartbeat and every moment of recovery was carefully monitored.

Over the next two days, Nelly slowly but steadily improved. Her heart rhythm stabilized, her energy returned, and she began eating and drinking normally. Even more touching, her sweet, loving personality reappeared—she snuggled with staff, showered them with kisses, and wagged her tail as if nothing had ever happened. It was a slow, steady recovery, but for everyone who cared for her, it felt nothing short of miraculous.

Nelly’s story is also a powerful reminder for pet owners: human medications, even in small amounts, can be deadly for pets. DoveLewis sees medication ingestion cases nearly every day, and quick action can mean the difference between life and death.

Today, Nelly is back home, full of energy and joy, and her family couldn’t be more grateful to have their sweet girl safe in their arms once again.