u/midnightslover

Hi, I survived Septic Shock in April last year. ICU stay but no ventilator or sedatives were needed.

I'm interested in learning about others who have or still have some lingering issues post Sepsis, with memory, speech or other cognitive issues.

I have found thinking of the right word to use a struggle at least two or three times a day. When tired I have a stutter and struggle to formulate my sentences properly. I've had a rise in headaches and also find myself forgetting what I'm doing momentarily, why did I come into the kitchen again? Etc.

Has Sepsis affected you in this way? I'm very curious to know if it has gotten better for you, worse, or stayed the same.

Hi!

I've had my mixed breed am staff since March. He will stare at my cats and give chase when they move. When he gets close to them he will sit a few meters away. The cats will also just sit and stare back even though they have many areas to jump up high, leave the room etc.

His recall around cats only works about 10% of the time, same with sit and leave it. Any other time it's pretty good for his age.

My concern is that he is now getting his heckles up when he sees the cats. While I can still call him away if he isn't chasing them I am concerned that this situation is changing. He never barks or growls, in fact I've only ever heard him bark a handful of times since I adopted him. He also doesn't try to chase if we are out on a walk and he sees a cat.

What I have been doing:

When he sees a cat I give him a marker word to look at me and he is given a high value treat

He is on a long line so I can redirect if chasing happens

The cats have many spaces to escape, high platforms etc

I keep them separated as much as possible

They are never alone together

Working on sit/leave it/ recall

Has anyone got any other suggestions?

In April last year I went septic from TSS. I was in the icu for a few days on life support and this past year has been all about recovery and dealing with Post Sepsis Syndrome.

In my country there is very little awareness about identifying Sepsis or support for those who survive or for bereaved families.

This week I have accepted a role within a charity that's aiming to support all of the above. It works with the government to help create more awareness, work with those in the medical field to create a Sepsis pathway for treatment and identification and be a source of information for those who have survived or family of bereaved.

Im so excited to be making a difference

Backstory: He was located in the boot of an abandoned car at estimated 10 weeks, I was with him that same day before he went with foster family for 10 days and then I was able to formally adopt him.

Overall obedience he is a very well behaved boy. Loves people/dogs (fully vaccinated now) and we regularly go on outings so he can learn new sights and smells. He has pi ked up basic commands well and listens about 70-80% of the time outside of a training scenario.

When he is in the car hes happy, either settles down and has a nap or looks out the window. Body language suggests he is relaxed and excited. However getting him in or out of the car he is showing signs of fear. Trying to run away before I put him in but it's particularly bad when it's time to leave. He will cower and whimper and desperately tries to get away from me, today he growled which he has never done before. I immediately gave him space.

I have been using high value treats before I put him in and after I put him in. When it's time to get out I will open the door and give him high value treats. Then sit with him in the seat while he snuggles into me. I'll praise him and then try to give him space while using the treats again to lure him to the car door. Sometimes it works sometimes as soon as I get back out he gets spooked again.

He wears a Y harness with a handle on the top and I normally have to use that in order to pick him up and take him out. As soon as he is out hes back to happy. I obviously can't do that long term

What am I doing wrong? How can I work with him to make him happy about getting in and out?

I should add Ive tried a car crate but he was very stressed with that while the car was moving