Mina was a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel from one of the most “prestigious” and successful kennels in Italy. On 8th October 2016 she died suddenly, very likely from a stroke, just after her morning walk. She was just four years old. Mina knew love, compassion and care but only in the four months she’d been with Sabrina Bettella and her daughter Martina. The “care” she received from her prize-winning breeder was quite different.
Mina in the minutes after leaving the breeder
Sabrina and Martina had responded to a plea put on a Facebook rescue page: a young Cavalier was in need; she was pregnant and had two dead puppies in her abdomen. On 30th May they travelled to the breeder in Modena, who entrusted Mina to their care and assured them she was in good health, that the puppies had died only the day before and that she had been at the beginning of her pregnancy.
It was apparent this was not the case. Mina was in poor condition. She was breathing heavily and could hardly walk. As soon as they got to their home town of Padua, Sabrina and Martina took Mina to the vet for an emergency appointment at 10.30pm. After ecography vets established that Mina wasn’t at the beginning of her pregnancy but at the end and that the two puppies was in advanced state of decomposition. They decided to operate on Mina immediately and started a series of tests.
Sadly, blood tests revealed the shocking truth: the uterus infection from dead fetuses had triggered a severe anemia. Mina was dying. Veterinarians decided to immediately give her a blood transfusion but Mina’s body rejected the blood. In desperation, Sabrina and Martina travel to the blood bank in Legnaro where Mina’s blood was analysed to determinate her group. Unfortunately, this turned out to be one of the rarest.
But no expense was ever spared in the fight to save this poor little dog, and Sabrina and Martina paid dearly for bags of this precious blood. Mina had her first transfusion on 31st May. Soon afterwards Mina had surgery where her uterus was removed. It was a terribly tense time but luckily she woke up after the operation.
Safe in loving arms at last
Mina was a fighter but her body was so badly broken and over the next days, despite the blood transfusion, the red blood cell levels began to fall again and, after careful examination, the diagnosis comes: Mina has Immune-Mediated Hemolytic Anemia (IMHA). This is a serious condition where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks its own red blood cells.
Mina immediately started a therapy with a broad-spectrum antibiotic, cortisone and cyclosporin but this treatment also fails. By 9th June it seems that Mina is losing her battle. She has a second blood transfusion but, again after few days, the red blood cell level falls. Veterinarians decided to take a sample to see whether she is producing bone marrow properly but the result is null. Mina has a bone marrow aplasia. On 17th June Mina had her third blood transfusion. A anticoagulant and homeopathic remedies are added to her treatment.
Finally, at the beginning of July, Mina slowly began to improve although she continued to have severe health complications: her gallbladder and liver were very swollen and she also required an IV to increase blood pressure as it was so low that it suggested kidney failure. However, bit by bit this brave little warrior fought and by the end of September her blood test results showed dramatic improvements. Mina had almost won the battle. She was happy, cheerful and hungry!
Mina seemed to be on the road to recovery but died suddenly
But on 8th October at 10.45am Mina passed away. After her walk she suddenly slumped to the ground. Sabrina and Martina just had time to pick her up and hold her one last time. Her heart just gave up but Mina died having known love and in the arms of those who cherished her not as a breeding machine but as a sentient, precious being.
Mina’s story has caused a scandal in Italy where it has been reported in many newspapers . However, Mina could be from anywhere. Around the globe there are high-profile breeders who, behind the prestigious awards and power, are callous, commercial breeders: nothing more than puppy farmers with prizes. #iostoconmina
Learn more via Mina’s Facebook page