The people I share a home with lost their little Chihuahua IG mix last week. Diego was found on the streets in OC a few years ago and spent 4 years with us.

For the past year we've been dealing with seizures and possible strokes. This entire time we've been saying he has an infection but both the emergency vet (more than once) and others kept insisting that it must be a brain tumor.

Long story short (sort of)the excellent, holistic vet we found recently put Diego to sleep last week. He did a necropsy for us without charge and found out that Diego had Spinal Meningitis.

We suspect that the vet who took out Diego's teeth a year ago suspected meningitis because she specifically mentioned the "possibility" when recommending the teeth be removed. But, she did not give a full dose of antibiotics either before or after the extractions. And, his problems (seizures, etc) stemmed from that time. Of course there's no way to prove it. (end of rant).

Lesson learned is to always, except in an immediate life and death emergency, get a second opinion. Any good vet like any good doctor, will not mind if you do so. 2nd lesson learned is a good vet that cares more for the animals than his/her profit is not easy to find but worth their weight in gold when you do find one. The good that's come is we now have 3 excellent, holistic vets that we will use exclusively for the remaining dog and all future dogs.

So sorry to hear this Elaine, there are occasions when a dog you didn't plan on, and weren't expecting comes into your life, who can have the greatest effect, sounds like Diego was one of those dogs.

Run free at the Bridge wee man, go play with the others who are waiting for you, no more pain.

Elaine, you have my heartfelt sympathy. I'm so sorry.


I know that you blessed each other's lives. And how very hard this is.

Sorry to hear about the little guy. He had 4 years of a house full of caring folks. A lucky boy!

RIP Diego.

I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of Diego. It sounds like he was very much loved and well-cared for during the time he lived with you and your housemates. Run free, Diego.