Summit Fire Department’s beloved Dalmatian mascot, Lola, is recovering after a medical emergency that began on Memorial Day with her first seizure and escalated into a life-threatening condition requiring emergency veterinary care and hospitalization.
Lola experienced her initial seizure on Memorial Day, which lasted about 15 seconds. She appeared to recover well over the following days, showing only fatigue. But on Saturday morning, a second seizure sent her to an emergency veterinary clinic.
This time, she did not regain consciousness quickly.
Blood tests revealed Lola had epilepsy. She was released to go home, but at 4 p.m. that same day, she suffered a third seizure — this one lasting approximately 50 seconds. During the episode, she stopped breathing.
After the seizure ended, she coughed up blood and struggled to breathe.
Lola was rushed back to VCA Emergency Veterinary Hospital. She experienced multiple episodes where she stopped breathing during the car ride.
At the hospital, veterinarians placed Lola in an oxygen chamber at 80 percent oxygen concentration and performed chest X-rays. The imaging revealed a second diagnosis: non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema secondary to the seizure. Blood had filled the lower third of her lungs.
She spent the night in the oxygen chamber and showed enough improvement to be discharged Sunday evening. Over the following days, the fluid in her lungs is expected to be reabsorbed naturally.
Lola is now on seizure medication twice daily for the rest of her life. The medication is a central nervous system depressant, and she is still adjusting to it. Veterinarians expect her to return to normal within a few weeks.
The unexpected medical bills have prompted members of the fire department to seek community donations to help Lola’s primary caregiver cover the bills.
Donations can be dropped off at the Summit Fire Department, 7339 W. 59th St., Summit.
As of June 5, $2,710 has been collected on a goal of $3,500 via GoFundMe.