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Pet of the Month – April
by on April 13th, 2012
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When Joe came to the surgery in December he was off colour and had a cough as well as nasal discharge. On examination he was found to have a heart murmur and a small mass on his neck, which we suspected to be a thyroid growth. Tests confirmed Joe to be hyperthyroid (ie suffering from an overactive thyroid), to have a leaky heart valve and to have elevated liver enzymes. Antibiotics and specific thyroid therapy improved Joe’s health but a few weeks later he suffered from a short period of ataxia, wobbliness and twitching. This quickly passed and further investigations revealed spondyloses of the spine, which are degenerative arthritis-like changes, and constipation. Joe was treated and initially improved, although he did suffer from snuffly respiration a month later. Although he again responded to antibiotics, follow-up blood tests showed his kidneys were starting to deteriorate. Not long afterwards Joe suffered once more from strange behaviour, wobbliness and nystagmus (flicking of the eyes from side to side). These symptoms were not explained by his overactive thyroid nor by his liver and kidney problems so he was referred to a specialist for a brain scan. The consultant neurologist discovered on MRI scans that on top of everything else poor Joe had a brain tumour. The specialist felt however that the location and extent of Joe’s tumour made him a good candidate for brain surgery. The operation was extremely successful and confirmed that Joe had developed a brain tumour called a meningioma. In the photograph you can see the staples in the skin on Joe’s scalp where the operation site was. Throughout everything Joe has been an absolute star and we are delighted to report that he is making excellent progress at home.
Pet of the Month – March
by on April 12th, 2012
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This is Darlene, a 6yr old Bedlington Terrier and Whippet cross. She came to the clinic because her owner noticed that she was urinating with increased frequency. Darlene was diagnosed as having Uroliths ie bladder stones which were irritating and inflaming the bladder wall. Stones are a common occurrence in animals, varying in size and numbers; they can occur secondary to infection or because of dietary influences and genetics. Some stones can be dissolved using dietary modification, so Darlene was put on a special Urinary diet. Unfortunately the diet failed to dissolve the stones and it was agreed that surgery was necessary.
Darlene was admitted for a cystotomy to remove the stones. The operation was successful and two large stones were removed from Darlene’s bladder. Darlene recovered well from her operation and we are very pleased to say she is doing well.
You can see the stones on the radiograph as well as in a kidney dish after surgery was completed.
Pet of the Month – February
by on February 2nd, 2012
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Daisy is a three year old Border Terrier. For the first two and a half years of her life she suffered repeatedly from skin irritation and rashes which would become infected and require antibiotic and steroid therapy.
Daisy was seen by a dermatologist who initially tried dietary elimination to determine if Daisy was suffering from a food allergy. A lack of response led to Daisy having blood allergy tests undertaken. and she was also put on to the drug cyclosporine, which works by suppressing the part of her body’s immune system which is “over-reacting”.
This means that even if the trigger for the itching is still present, the reaction is stopped and the itching should subside. Daisy was found to be reactive to certain tree pollens and weeds. An immunotherapy vaccine was ordered and treatment was commenced in February 2011. We are delighted to report that Daisy is now a happy dog once more and her skin problems have resolved. She receives monthly immunotherapy injections as well as daily cyclosporine capsules, a weekly medicated bath and food appropriate for dogs with sensitive skin.
Pet of the month – January
by on January 16th, 2012
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Bella, a three year old French Lop rabbit has made a most amazing recovery from the killer disease Myxomatosis.Within days of contracting the disease, Bella’s face and body broke out in multiple blisters which were sore to the touch and she became very lethargic. After a consultation at the surgery she was put on antibiotics to control secondary bacterial infections. A secretolytic was used to help with her breathing and anti-inflammatories to control her pain.
For just over a month she was kept at home in a temperature controlled room with a vaporizer going continuously and with cotton wool soaked in olbas oil wrapped around the bars of her cage to help with her breathing.
Within the first week Bella stopped drinking however her appetite remained good, and so parsley was given soaked in water to keep her fluid levels up. Eventually she progressed to drinking on her own again. Twice daily sponge baths were given to clear the discharge from her nose and her cage was cleaned at least once a day. With hard work, around the clock care and weekly vet visits Bella is now making a full recovery and her very cheeky personality is back!
Pet of the Month – December
by on January 16th, 2012
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Topcat or TC as he is affectionately known was clipped by a car as he ran across a road. The unwitting driver thankfully rushed him in to the surgery which almost certainly saved his life. Immediate treatment for shock and blood loss saved his life but sadly one of his eyes was so badly damaged that he had to undergo an enucleation. He is now over all the trauma and we are pleased to report that he is coping well.
Pet of the Month – November
by on January 16th, 2012
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Wet tail is one of the most serious intestinal diseases that affect hamsters. Named for the wet, dirty tails that accompany the disease, wet tail is most commonly seen in three to six week old hamsters, but can affect hamsters of any age. All breeds of hamsters are susceptible. Thankfully Whizz’s owners recognised the signs of diarrhoea and brought him immediately to the surgery. Treatment consisted of antibiotics, anti-diarrhoeal medications and both subcutaneous and oral fluids to combat the severe dehydration, which is usually the the most serious life-threatening complication associated with the disease. Although a number of hamsters do not survive, Whizz was hospitalised and after much love and care his bowels settled and he is his old happy self.
Pet of the Month – October
by on January 16th, 2012
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On one of his first walks after moving to the Sussex Downs Fred lacerated his skin on a barbed wire fence. Thankfully the damage inflicted was only skin deep and despite numerous sutures he made a swift and complete recovery.
Pet of the Month – September
by on January 16th, 2012
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Tom was brought in as a malnourished stray suffering from diarrhoea. Faecal tests showed him to have Giardiasis which is an infection of the small intestine caused by a microscopic protozoal organism. Therapy with metronidazole as well as kaolin, a natural binding agent to firm up the faeces, pectin, to soothe the gut lining, probiotics to help keep the level of beneficial bacteria high and to exclude pathogenic species, and lastly prebiotics to feed and stimulate the growth of beneficial bacteria resolved the disease and he is now fighting fit.
Pet of the Month – August
by on January 16th, 2012
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Fortunately these days we do not see so many cases of cat flu. When Havana contracted the disease her nose became so blocked up with discharge that she struggled to breathe and lost her appetite. Although viral in origin secondary bacterial infection had to be controlled with antibiotics and Havana need intravenous fluids and syringe feeding for some days until her immune system was able to overcome the infection. Relapses can occur however we are delighted to say that she has been fine to date.
Pet of the Month – July
by on January 16th, 2012
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Poor Ralph seemed to forever be suffering from bouts of vomiting. Radiographs showed no irregularities and Ralph would respond to medication but a few days later he would be unsettled again. Everything changed when he was started on a hypoallergenic diet. The vomiting settled and this gave us a clear indication that he had been suffering from allergic gastritis.
