964. Two old female spayed dogs

Yesterday, Thursday, April 25, 2012, I saw two old female spayed dogs from 7.20 pm to 9.30 pm.

Case 1. Lhasa Apso, 13 years. Tearing on right eye last 2 days. I used fluroescein strip and showed the lady owner that the dog had a new ulcer. A white scar above it was bigger and was a healed ulcer. The left eye cornea also had white ulcers.

"I am out of Clavulox," she was prescribed Clavulox to be given 3 times a week for many weeks as her dog had "lump" in the bladder on X-ray and had bacteria on initial urine analysis. She does regular health screening of blood and urine test with Vet 1. "No more bacteria in the urine," she said. I checked the vulval mucosa. The dog winced and withdrew. But overall, there was only inflammation at the tip.

There are some vet recommendations to give antibiotics weekly at 2-3x/week for many weeks for UTI, but I would not advise it. It would lead to drug resistance. So I did not prescribe antibiotics. For the eye ulcer, the husband requested e-collar wearing instead of surgery. So, this matter was settled by the husband.

 Case 2. Miniature Schnauzer, 15 years, panting, swollen abdomen
Vet 1 suspected liver tumours (blood test on elevated liver enzymes and X-ray of enlarge liver) and advised an ultrasound.
"Abdomen looked fully distended as if it is going to burst," I viewed the X-ray. "What did Vet 1 say about this swollen abadomen?"
"She said nothing," the lady told me. "She put a needle in and nothing came out from the needle."
Overall, this would be a case of liver disease and I gave a poor prognosis of 6 months or less to live.

The surprising findings were:
1. that the Schnauzer's teeth were still good and had little tartar despite no dental work done, according to the owner.
2. the vulval lips and lower inguinal area were jet black, as compared to the Lhasa Apso above. The vulval mucosa was bright red. All these suggested a chronic UTI.

I advised monitoring of water intake and panting as I prescribed medication. Today, April 27, 2012, I phoned up. The 66-year-old mum answered the house phone and said: "The stomach is still swollen as before. I guess it will take time for the drugs to work."
"Is the dog panting?" I asked.  
"Much less," the mother and later the daughter phoned me, gave the feedback.
"Is the dog more active?" I asked.
"Yes," the mum said. 
"Did the dog pee a lot?"
"Yes, more than 3 x last night."
My hypothesis is that the fluid accumulated in the abdomen caused pain and difficulty in breathing, leading to heavy panting.  
"Did the dog eat the L/D diet?" I asked.
"1/4 can."