WACO (January 27, 2011)-- You can't blame Waco Police Officer Chip Weiser for being a little out of it. After all, recently he's been without his partner, Torro, a veteran Waco Police K-9 officer.
"He is my partner...I depend on him to save my life," Weiser said Thursday night.
This as Torro fights a life-threatening illness at the UC-Davis Veterinary Hospital near Sacramento, Calif.
Torro became ill last week while on duty.
"I would have never known he was sick, he didn't act sick until he got sick in the back of my car," Weiser said.
Veterinarians in Waco and later in Dallas determined the dog is suffering from a very deadly and fast-acting disease called liptospirosis.
The treatment for the disease is an aggressive application of kidney dialysis and that, vets say, is the best course of action to try to save Torro's life.
While readily available for humans, dialysis for K-9's is only available at a few very advanced animal hospitals, including UC-Davis.
Police say a unnamed woman in the Dallas-area heard about Torro's battle, and donated the frequent flyer miles to fly Torro, as well as Dr. Becky Porterpan to California on Monday night.
Vets at UC-Davis say Torro is responding to treatment and his prognosis for recovery is good.
Leptospirosis is an infection caused by bacteria and is rarely seen in dogs, but is extremely serious and without immediate and effective treatment, it is usually fatal.
The disease is common in cattle and wildlife in Central Texas and routinely causes abortion in cattle.
It also can infect humans.
An area veterinarian told News 10 animals get the bacteria from drinking contaminated water from creeks, ponds, lakes or other sources of water.
Torro, a Belgian Malinois, is five-and-a-half years old and he entered police service four years ago.
"I have been a police officer for 22 years, we see a lot of bad stuff out here, its uplifting, really good." Weiser said regarding the community support.
For more information about the private efforts to help K-9 Officer Torro contact Sherry Tusa.
