Young Dog Recovers from Two Rare, Life-Threatening Pneumonias

PORTLAND, OR – For Janet, the arrival of Nora, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, was a gift unlike any other. Knowing she was facing a metastatic cancer diagnosis, Janet’s wife gave her Nora as a companion—an intentional act of love meant to ensure Janet would not be alone during what lay ahead. Just five months later, Janet’s wife passed away, leaving behind a devastating loss and the small, loyal dog she had chosen to comfort the person she loved most.

But in the weeks that followed, that small comfort began to slip away.

Having relocated from Portland to Seattle to be closer to family after her loss, Janet noticed a change in Nora. The once playful, joyful puppy became increasingly lethargic, developed a persistent cough, and began turning away from her favorite treats. Despite multiple veterinary visits, imaging, and several courses of antibiotics, there was still no signs of improvement.

Then, in a frighteningly short span, Nora’s condition worsened. She lost four pounds, her energy vanished, and breathing became a struggle. Faced with uncertainty, Janet made decision to drive Nora to DoveLewis 24/7 Animal Hospital, a place she had trusted years earlier when her previous dog needed specialized care.

Janet didn’t know what awaited her, but she knew she had to try.

At DoveLewis, Nora remained under the careful watch of DoveLewis’ Internal Medicine team, with Internal Medicine Specialist Dr. Barbara Davis working closely alongside the ICU team to find answers.

Advanced diagnostics, including a bronchoscopy, finally brought clarity. Using a small camera to look deep into Nora’s lungs and collect samples, the team uncovered the cause. Nora was diagnosed with Pneumocystis pneumonia, a rare and potentially life-threatening infection most often seen in patients whose immune systems cannot fully protect them.

But that was not the only challenge she faced. Testing also revealed Actinomyces pneumonia, a chronic bacterial infection that was inflaming and damaging her lungs.

Together, these infections painted a more concerning picture. They suggested that Nora’s immune system was not functioning as it should, making it harder for her body to fight back and recover.

For Janet, the answers were both a relief and a new kind of fear. What had seemed like a lingering illness was something far more serious. Nora was not just sick. She was fighting two rare infections at once, and her own body was struggling to keep up.

In the days that followed, Nora’s care shifted from finding answers to keeping her stable. With intensive monitoring, oxygen support, and expert care, she slowly began to improve. After nearly a week in the ICU, she was strong enough to return home to Seattle. But the fight was far from over.

Over the following months, Nora followed a long-term treatment plan that included antibiotics, specialized medications, recheck visits, and careful monitoring. Step by step, Nora began to reclaim her life.

Now, she is thriving.

“As I drove to Portland that day, I had no idea what Nora's outcome would be, but I KNEW that DoveLewis was her best bet,” said Janet, Nora’s owner. “And the care and treatment she received were beyond my hopes and dreams.”

Today, Nora, affectionately known as “Snora,” now sleeps the kind of deep, unguarded sleep that only comes after a long fight is finally over. Each soft snore is a reminder of how close she came to not being here at all. For Janet, what was once fear has become something quieter but far more powerful: gratitude for every moment she still gets to share with Nora.

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