Annie: The Littlest Braveheart
My dogs name is Annie. She is a 10 year old Pomeranian girl with the biggest personality packed into the tiniest little body.She is cheeky, bossy, full of attitude and has been our first fur baby in Australia since we relocated from India ten years ago. We brought her home just one day before our 10th wedding anniversary, and we named her “Annie” to mark that special moment in our lives, a reminder of joy, love and new beginnings.
Annie loves boiled eggs and blueberries, go for walkies filled with endless sniffaries and sit on the sofa running the home on a tight schedule all day. She may be small, but she has always been mighty.
Come May 2025, and we never imagined a simple vet visit would change everything. It began with what seemed like a minor concern with some skin growing between her front teeth. For this, Annie underwent a straightforward outpatient procedure, completed her course of medications and healed well. But soon after, something felt wrong. She wasn’t herself.
Day by day, Annie grew quieter. Her appetite disappeared, she seemed sad and in the days to follow she began sniffling with signs of some breathing distress. Despite repeated vet visits tests and more medicines, nothing brought answers. One day, when she looked especially unwell and our vet was closed, we rushed her to SASH North Ryde Emergency, terrified something was deeply wrong with our little girl.
She was kept behind, overnight for observation and drip. That night felt endless as we didn’t know what was making Annie so sick.
The next morning, Dr Marcia from Internal Medicine Team called us. She spoke and listened carefully and even asked specifically about the foul smell from Annie’s mouth and immediately took our concerns seriously. A few tests were done and a CT scan finally revealed the truth: Annie had severe dental disease that had caused an oronasal fistula to form – an opening between her mouth and nasal cavity. Suddenly everything made sense: the ongoing infection, the smell, the breathing issues.
Annie was admitted and started on antibiotics and pain relief while we waited to see the dental specialist, Dr Leah Skelsey. Dr Leah confirmed that surgery was the only option. In the days leading up to her dental surgery, Annie refused to eat and grew weaker by the day. Her blood glucose levels became unstable, wavering constantly and she needed yet another hospital stay just to keep her safe and supported.
Dr Marcia suggested placing an esophageal feeding tube in Annie’s neck so that we could feed her though it to gain strength for the long surgery ahead. Annie struggled with it, was in distress and gagged through feeds. It broke our hearts to see her struggle, but it was what kept her going.
Each time we signed consent forms, there was always that box “Please resuscitate.” Every time I ticked it, my hands trembled. It brought me face to face with the possibility of losing her, again and again.
When surgery day arrived, we were terrified, but Dr Leah did an incredible job. Annie came home and her post-operative dental checks were all clear. The surgery was a success. And yet, Annie still would not eat on her own. The feeding tube stayed far longer than intended because she needed support to regain strength post-surgery now, take her medications and recover. We returned to SASH repeatedly, searching for answers. There were moments I would sit quietly and ask the universe, will this ever end?
Then Dr Marcia suggested the tube itself might be preventing Annie from eating naturally again. We took a leap of faith and removed it. Hoping for the best outcome. She was sent back home with all the support medication and within a day, Annie began showing interest in food. She started eating again, gaining strength and her spark started to return. She even began demanding walks. By then, everyone at SASH seemed to know her, nurses, technicians, doctors, all calling her a “very good girl.” I felt so proud to be her mum. She was tiny, but such a fighter!
Just when we thought the worst was behind us, Annie suddenly stopped walking two weeks later. She couldn’t stand or bear weight on her hind leg. We were referred straight back to SASH Surgery, emotionally exhausted.
A patella issue was suspected and surgery planned, but on the day of the procedure, Dr Marcia called to cancel. Annie’s inflammatory blood markers were abnormal and she had developed a fever. Dr Marcia knew something deeper was going on and refused to proceed until the real cause was found. More tests and scans and medications followed.
Around this critical time, Dr Marcia needed to travel for a conference, and Annie’s case was handed to Dr Chelsea Lim. Dr Chelsea suggested repeating a CT scan and performing a joint tap, where fluid is taken from the joints to assess the cause of inflamation, since other tests ruled out infections.
That joint tap revealed the answer: Annie was diagnosed with IMPA – Immune Mediated Polyarthritis.
She was started immediately on steroids and within days, our brave little girl took steps on her own again. Seeing her move felt like hope returning to our home.
Those grueling three months felt never ending. A cycle of fear, waiting and tears. And through it all, Annie somehow made us feel like the weakest we have ever been and the strongest we have ever been at the same time.
It has now been six months since her IMPA treatment began. Annie continues to be monitored by Dr Chelsea every month and she is fighting back with the same spirit she has always had. She is even preparing for a long overseas flight with us and her sister Riley. A new chapter for us as a family as we move countries, bringing along her usual sass and strength.
Our family will never be able to fully express our gratitude to the entire SASH team. They saved Annie not once, but twice, in the span of just a few months.
Dr Marcia even took a photo with her “Favourite Patient” and that photo is now her profile picture on the SASH website. A reminder we will cherish forever.
SASH didn’t just treat our dog. They gave us our family back. And for that, we will be forever grateful.
– North Ryde NSW
