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| Cappuccino |
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| Sailor |
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| Dante |
This Month we decided to highlight three pets who stayed with us in December.
These dogs all had a disease called pancreatitis. Cappuccino is a 13 year old Shih Tzu, Dante is
a 3 year old Labrador Retriever, and Sailor is an eight year old Sheltie.
All of who have a good prognosis and are at home with their families. The pancreas is a vital
organ which lies on the right side of the abdomen. It has two functions: to produce digestive enzymes and
to produce hormones such as insulin. When the pancreas becomes inflamed, the disorder is called pancreatitis. It
is a disease process that is seen commonly in the dog. There is no age, sex, or breed predisposition. There
are two main forms of acute or sudden onset pancreatitis: 1) the mild, edematous form and 2) the more severe, hemorrhagic
form. A few dogs that recover from an acute episode of pancreatitis may continue to have recurrent bouts of the acute disease,
known as chronic, relapsing pancreatitis. The associated inflammation allows digestive enzymes to spill into the abdominal
cavity resulting in secondary damage to the liver, bile ducts, gall bladder, and intestines. The cause of
pancreatitis is not known; however, there may be several contributory factors. It is often associated with eating a rich,
fatty meal. In some cases, it may be associated with the administration of corticosteroids; however, some dogs with pancreatitis
do not have exposure to either. Under normal conditions, digestive enzymes produced by the pancreas are
activated when they reach the small intestines. In pancreatitis, these enzymes are activated prematurely in the pancreas instead
of in the small intestines. This results in digestion of the pancreas itself. The clinical signs of pancreatitis are often
variable, and the intensity of the disease will depend on the quantity of enzymes that are prematurely activated. The diagnosis of pancreatitis is based on three criteria: clinical signs, laboratory tests, and radiographs (x-rays)
and/or ultrasound examination. The disease is typically manifested by nausea, vomiting, fever, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.
If the attack is severe, acute shock, depression, and death may occur. The successful management of pancreatitis
will depend on early diagnosis and prompt medical therapy. The mild form of the disease is best treated by resting the pancreas
from its role in digestion. The only way to "turn off" the pancreas is to withhold all oral fluids and food. This
approach is accompanied by intravenous fluids to maintain normal fluid and electrolyte balance. The presence of shock necessitates
the immediate and intense use of intravenous fluids and shock medications. Analgesics are often administered due to the intense
pain pancreatitis often causes. The prognosis depends on the extent of the disease when presented and
a favorable response to initial therapy. Dogs that present with shock and depression have a very guarded prognosis. Most of
the mild forms of pancreatitis have a good prognosis There are three possible long-term complications
that may follow severe or repeated pancreatitis. If a significant number of cells that produce digestive enzymes are destroyed,
a lack of proper food digestion may follow. This is known as exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) and can be treated with
daily administration of enzyme replacement. If a significant number of cells that produce insulin are destroyed, diabetes
mellitus can result. In rare cases, adhesions between the abdominal organs may occur as a consequence of pancreatitis. However,
most dogs recover with no long-term effects.
Rocky Rocky
presented to us many times with skin and ear concerns. He was often put on antibiotics and topical medications.
He had seizures and was on a medication to control them. The medication increased certain liver values and left us concerned
about an endocrine (hormone) disorder called Cushings. He screened negative for it. We sent Rocky to a specialist
in internal medicine and they started him on thyroid medication for presumed hypothyroidism. He has done awesome since
starting the medication. He has lost weight, his skin has improved, his ears also are better and he is overall brighter.
His seizure medication has been changed to one which helps avoid the liver and thyroid complications that phenobarbitol can
cause. Rocky has fantastic owners who saw him through this entire treatment process and continue to make sure that medications
are given and Rocky is as happy as possible.
October
Milo
September
Luna Luna is a five month old juvenile
Bearded Dragon. She lives with her Bearded Dragon brother, Loki and her parents. When Luna came to see us she
weighed less than 1 ounce and easily fit in the palm of your hand. Her parents brought her in for an appointment because
they noticed yellow discoloration to her scales, she had a swollen front leg, and she was not eating her mealworms as well
as she had previously. Following examination, Luna was tentatively diagnosed with yellow fungus disease. This
disease begins by yellow to tan discoloration to the scales and can invade the deeper tissues of muscles and bones.
If left untreated it can be fatal. The only definite means of diagnosing the disease is through biopsy and histopathology
to identify the underlying fungal organisms. Once diagnosed it is treated with Lotramin. ( Topical antifungal) We started
Luna on oral and topical antifungal medication as well as antibacterial soaks to prevent a secondary bacterial infection.
The oral antifungal made her anorexic and was discontinued. We continued with topical therapy. Luna's appetite
began to improve and she gained weight. At her last shed her owners reported that she shed all of her discolorated scales
(skin) and the scales (skin) underneath are normal colored. Her parents report that Luna is happy and thriving.
Isis Isis is a two year old English
Bulldog. As an English Bulldog she already has rolls of skin on her face. The most concerning was that her rolls
of skin were rolling into her eye and making contact with her cornea. This is very irritating and is corrected by tightening
the skin around the eye, not unlike plastic surgery for humans. After the surgery and her sutures were removed from
her eyes, Isis has a great prognosis.
August
Thomas Thomas was a hurricane
Katrina victim that was adopted by a Maine family. Thomas was diagnosed with heartworm disease acquired while living
in the south. His willing owners allowed us to use the most modeern drug, Immiticide, in his treatment. His diagnosis
was classified by radiographs, bloodwork and urinalysis. We started treatment with a deep intramuscular injection of
the medicine, which can be quite painful. The "new" heartworm treatment kills the heartworm more slowly and
is therefore safer that the older arsenic compounds. The same treatment was repeated one month later. Thomas should
test negative for heartworm in four to five months. The bottom line is heartworm is less expensive to prevent than to
treat.
Zheka Zheka is an 11 year old spayed female Russian Blue cat. Zheka, her feline sister Saqqara and her dad, Peter,
Live a happy life together. Zheka has a condition called Lymphocytic Plasmacytic Stomatitis. Stomatitis is an
inflammation of the mouth, typically the signs are bad breath, bright red, tender; swollen gums. Usually the cats show
a decrease in appetite, drooling, and pawing at their mouth. It can be caused by bacteria in the form of plaque, viruses,
immune deficiences or abnormalities. Brushing the teeth and annual dental cleanings help to keep plaque (bacteria) decreased
in the mouth. Some cats need oral antibiotics or injectable steriods to help keep the immune system quiet to reduce
the inflammation. In the most extreme cases teeth need to removed so that there is no place for the plaque to
colonize. Luckily we are able to control Zheka's Stomatitis with Depomedrol (prednisone) injections four to six
times a year and oral antibiotics. She lives a fun filled life with her family.
July
Mr. Bean Mr Bean is a fortunate little
kitten that was hit by a car this Spring. He was lucky enough to have a guardian angel following the car that hit him.
This tender heart stopped and picked him up. Mr. Bean was brought to our office first thing in the morning. He
had a broken front leg. His angel that picked him up decided to adopt him. She gave him the care that he needed.
A few days into his care his new owner noticed that this broken paw was very swollen and he was not using it at all.
One Saturday Dr. Flowers did an emergency amputation of his front leg. Mr Bean recovered at his new home. He is
a wonderful pet now that if you saw him looks like he never had a front leg. He gets around great and has learned to
do all thing that kittens do with three legs instead of four. A special thanks to the good citizen that saved this kitten.
Ellie Ellie is an unlikely pet of
the month. She is a pit bull terrier which some people would say is an aggressive animal. Ellie is just the opposite.
She is a therapy dog. Her great personality and calm demeanor make her a wonderful candidate to help society as a dog who
visit with those who need a smile or a pet to connect to because humans may judge too much. There was an
article in the Capital Weekly about Ellie on June 26th of this year. This aritcle talked about how Ellie is a valuable
part of the community.
June
Bryson Bryson presented to us this past
month with at his annual exam with vaccines when his owner noted that Bryson's appetite had changed. At this visit
we were able to palpate (feel) a large mass in his abdomen. Initial concerns were of the potential for cancer.
Ultrasound showed a large mass attached to the spleen and the liver appeared free of spread. At surgery a nine pound
six ounce mass was removed. He is at home doing wonderfully with his family.
Felix We often say male cats do not get
urinary tract infections frequently and females do. Felix is a rule breaker. He went to the Emergency Clinic unable
to urinate. We admitted him the morning after this visit and supported him through his recovery. Felix is doing
very well with his family at home.
May
Patty Patty belongs to a long standing client of our. Patty has hypertension and is
hypothyroid, which takes lots of patients on her owners part. This kitty needs to have blood checks and blood pressure
checks to maintain his health. We thought that he was a great pick for our May Cat of the Month.
Guvvy Girl Guvvy is a yellow lab that
is near and dear to all the hearts of the At Home Veterinary Care Staff. Guvvy has been a patient of Dr Flowers
for many years. Guvvy belongs to a wonderful owner that trusts us with all of Guvvy's needs. Everytime that
Guvvy comes through our doors she is happy to greet all the staff. She is the kind of dog that we would all love to
call our own.
April
Amber Amber is a Pit-bull mix that is a kind and gentle as they come. Amber came in to us
this past month not feeling well and stayed with us for a while. She went home to her family and sister Lexi to continue
to recover. Her family was happy to see her come home as she was missed when we had her in the hospital. It was
not a hard decision for the staff to make when choosing this months dog of the month I dare say there was no contest.
Addy Addy is a wonderful medium haired
kitty. Her owner would do anything to make sure that she and her other cat family is at there best. Addy
came in several times for urinary tract infections. After treating these we decided to take another approach Dr Magenis
decided that a cyctotomy would be in her best interest. Addy when home with her family to recover and is going great.
March
Tyler Tyler is a large long haired gray cat that we at At home Veterinary
Care know very well. He has had a long history of obstipation. He has been known to
spend several days with us every few weeks. He was diagnosed with megacolon; this means that the colon
does not push the feces along like it should. After much discussion and research Tyler’s owner let
us do a surgery that we had never done before, we removed his colon. Since his surgery Tyler is doing much
better and we see him for his annual check-ups.
Buddy Buddy is a nine year old husky mix that
we have been seeing since 2005. On March,5th Buddy came in not feeling quite himself, vomiting
frequently. We admitted him into the hospital for Pancreatitis. Buddy stayed for two
days so that we could get his system regulated and went home on March, 7th. Buddy recovered
beautifully and is happy and healthy at home.
Strider Strider had been a patient since our beginning in 1999. Strider is the gentlest
German Shepard we have known. He had a large family including children who miss him dearly.
He was being supported by his owners over the years with his paralysis caused by degenerative spinal cord disorder.
Recently he was lost due to a bout of hemolytic anemia.
Stanley Stanley is the oldest
dental that we have performed. He has been nursed along with hypertension (high blood pressure) he takes
several medicines to keep him healthy. Stanley is completely blind yet navigates his space quite well even
though there are several pets in his home. Stanley has loving parents Boyd and Nancy.
Kloe Kloe and her brother Koda came to the clinic for their first visit after their family adopted them. Both
showed signs of an upper repertory infection but Kloe was much quieter. We started them on antibiotics
but Kloe’s owner called within a couple of days telling us that she was not eating or drinking on her own.
At this point we hospitalized Kloe, started her on a new antibiotic, eye ointment, and IV fluids. Shortly
she began to open her eyes, clean herself and lick at her food. Kloe was a very strong kitten and her body
was able to overcome this upper respiratory virus. We just saw Kloe for her final kitten vaccines and she
looked wonderful. Her family will have many fun filled years to come.
Champ Champ came in to visit us early one afternoon because he did not eat his dinner the night before and was
not acting like himself. Blood work showed signs of dehydration and minor pancreatic irritation.
A radiograph of the abdomen showed a suspicion of a foreign body. Champs family agreed to move forward
with a barium series, Champ swallowed a white liquid, with radiographs we watched the barium move from the esophagus to the
large intestine. By the next afternoon we were able to know that Champ did not have a foreign body because
the barium was in the large intestine, with intravenous fluids, antibiotics, GI protectants and a bland diet Champ went home
to enjoy his family.
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