TP XX803 Male, toy poodle, white, not neutered
Feb 17, 2014
"My dog passes blood in the urine at 7 am today. Not eating today too. Very tired looking." the woman said.
"Did he drink a lot?"
"I don't see him drinking but the stools are OK."
I palpated the bladder area. The dog winced in pain. The owner did not want a blood test but gave permission for the urine test and X-rays.
"My dog had a blood test before," she said. I checked the records. The dog had a high total white cell count of 49.2 (6-17) on Sep 8 2013. The complaint was blood in the urine, licking of the penis, diarrhoea and not eating for 2 days. Two years ago, Vet 1 had said that the dog would die under general anaesthesia if dental extracton of the rotten loose teeth was performed. Vet 1 said she was old, had heart disease and so would die on the operating table.
The owner did not do it. The dog had foul breath for the past 2 years and was drooling in this Sep 2013 visit. But drooling was present in the past 2 years too. Regular dental check up from 2 years of age every year would have prevented this situation from developing. Dr Daniel had the loose teeth extracted and the dog was OK as the owner said: "It is the bad teeth causing drooling and the high white cell count!" Owners are quite sophisticated as regards blood test results.
Tuesday, February 18, 2014
1333. An emaciated paralysed dog in Singapore
"Just have a look and tell the AVA that the dog is OK," the man brought in a very thin rib-showing cross-bred. He finally had a summons if he did not get the dog a veterinary examination.
"The dog is paralysed in his hind legs with two foot sore but that does not mean that she will become so thin," I got some pain in the thoraco-lumbar region and weak pedal reflexes of both hind limbs. "Unless he is not given sufficient food or has a disease. Paralysed dogs can gain more weight as they don't walk much. I need to do a blood test. "
"Please don't tell the AVA that I have ill-treated my dog," the man had reared the dog from puppyhood and now she is 13 years old. That would be considered aged.
"Was there a car accident earlier?" I asked.
"She ran out of the house 2 years ago but came back OK. Later she was wobbly and after that paralysed."
The blood test showed high ALT and urea levels but the haematology was normal. There was spinal pain at the T9-11 area and the pedal reflexes of the hind paws were poor. Two bed sores on each hind paw were large at 2 cm x 3 cm. The dog looked alert and her coat was in good condition.
"My dog does not like dry food," the man said that his dog at 50:50 wet and dry food. He would bring samples for me to see. It is hard to assess whether this is a case of under-feeding or the dog being a fussy eater over the years, leading to this condition.
I advised more dry food of good quality to be fed and warm water to shampoo off the urine smell off the back area. I would submit a report to the AVA care of him. X-rays, faecal worm tests, neoplasia checks of abdomen, exocrine pancreatic deficiency were not done as medical costs were a concern. This is a case where the owner shows that he cares for the old dog as others would just euthanase her.
"Some concerned animal lovers may have reported you to the AVA," I said to the man. "Your dog is paralysed and very thin. It can be a case of dog abuse and so the AVA needs to respond to the public complaint. The AVA is very busy with budget cuts nowadays. So I don't think the officers go around Singapore checking on the dog's health."
Overall, the dog is in "good" condition as regards blood test and alertness. It is just that she is very thin.
On Feb 20, 2014, I submitted a veterinary report to the owner for the AVA. This is a strange case as paralysed dogs do put on weight if they are in good health or fed much more. I can't say whether he has underfed his dog or the dog is a finicky eater.
"The dog is paralysed in his hind legs with two foot sore but that does not mean that she will become so thin," I got some pain in the thoraco-lumbar region and weak pedal reflexes of both hind limbs. "Unless he is not given sufficient food or has a disease. Paralysed dogs can gain more weight as they don't walk much. I need to do a blood test. "
"Please don't tell the AVA that I have ill-treated my dog," the man had reared the dog from puppyhood and now she is 13 years old. That would be considered aged.
"Was there a car accident earlier?" I asked.
"She ran out of the house 2 years ago but came back OK. Later she was wobbly and after that paralysed."
The blood test showed high ALT and urea levels but the haematology was normal. There was spinal pain at the T9-11 area and the pedal reflexes of the hind paws were poor. Two bed sores on each hind paw were large at 2 cm x 3 cm. The dog looked alert and her coat was in good condition.
"My dog does not like dry food," the man said that his dog at 50:50 wet and dry food. He would bring samples for me to see. It is hard to assess whether this is a case of under-feeding or the dog being a fussy eater over the years, leading to this condition.
I advised more dry food of good quality to be fed and warm water to shampoo off the urine smell off the back area. I would submit a report to the AVA care of him. X-rays, faecal worm tests, neoplasia checks of abdomen, exocrine pancreatic deficiency were not done as medical costs were a concern. This is a case where the owner shows that he cares for the old dog as others would just euthanase her.
"Some concerned animal lovers may have reported you to the AVA," I said to the man. "Your dog is paralysed and very thin. It can be a case of dog abuse and so the AVA needs to respond to the public complaint. The AVA is very busy with budget cuts nowadays. So I don't think the officers go around Singapore checking on the dog's health."
Overall, the dog is in "good" condition as regards blood test and alertness. It is just that she is very thin.
On Feb 20, 2014, I submitted a veterinary report to the owner for the AVA. This is a strange case as paralysed dogs do put on weight if they are in good health or fed much more. I can't say whether he has underfed his dog or the dog is a finicky eater.
Sunday, February 16, 2014
Sunday's interesting case - A papillon with fits from Tampines is active now
TPXX284
Sunday Feb 16, 2014
"Do you remember my old dog with fits for 2 days and kidney failure?" the woman in her late 30s walked in and told me the name of her dog. "A small black and white dog" she held both hands apart to indicate the size of the Papillon.
"I can't remember as there are many old dogs with kidney failure and fits," I took out the medical records while the lady had her own 2 receipts. The dog had 12 rotten teeth extracted on Jan 12, 2014 by me. Blood test had indicated kidney failure with high counts of urea at 64 and creatinine 260. Neutrophil % was high at 86% but total white cell count was normal. Blood calcium was low but glucose was normal.
"Cha Cha has good appetite and is very active," she said. "Luckily I didn't put her to sleep!"
She syringed 50 ml water 2x/day daily and fed k/d canned food with rice and minced chicken. The dog just ate all.
I did not expect to hear from owners. After all this dog was aged at 13 years old. But he is as active as can be.
"I think the fits are due to his rotten teeth," the lady said. I agreed as there were no more fits since dental extraction. No more lethargy and staggering. A positive outcome and no euthanasia as advised by her friends justifying that the dog was old and had fits.
I advised k/d for 3 months and take a blood test. It is difficult to advise based on recovery. This was a case referred by her friend to me and only positive outcomes can generate referrals in medicine and surgery. Fortunately the dog did not die under general anaesthesia (using isoflurane gas only). Otherwise, no happy ending from the lady in Tampines as the vet gets the blame when death on the operating table occurs.
Yearly dental check up will be best for dogs over 5 years but Singaporeans are too busy to do it. So, many aged dogs have foul breath and loose teeth. Painful mouth ulcers and tooth ache can lead to fits. This was a surprisingly good outcome case as I thought old dogs with fits will not live long. But here he is. Good appetite and active.
Sunday Feb 16, 2014
"Do you remember my old dog with fits for 2 days and kidney failure?" the woman in her late 30s walked in and told me the name of her dog. "A small black and white dog" she held both hands apart to indicate the size of the Papillon.
"I can't remember as there are many old dogs with kidney failure and fits," I took out the medical records while the lady had her own 2 receipts. The dog had 12 rotten teeth extracted on Jan 12, 2014 by me. Blood test had indicated kidney failure with high counts of urea at 64 and creatinine 260. Neutrophil % was high at 86% but total white cell count was normal. Blood calcium was low but glucose was normal.
"Cha Cha has good appetite and is very active," she said. "Luckily I didn't put her to sleep!"
She syringed 50 ml water 2x/day daily and fed k/d canned food with rice and minced chicken. The dog just ate all.
I did not expect to hear from owners. After all this dog was aged at 13 years old. But he is as active as can be.
"I think the fits are due to his rotten teeth," the lady said. I agreed as there were no more fits since dental extraction. No more lethargy and staggering. A positive outcome and no euthanasia as advised by her friends justifying that the dog was old and had fits.
I advised k/d for 3 months and take a blood test. It is difficult to advise based on recovery. This was a case referred by her friend to me and only positive outcomes can generate referrals in medicine and surgery. Fortunately the dog did not die under general anaesthesia (using isoflurane gas only). Otherwise, no happy ending from the lady in Tampines as the vet gets the blame when death on the operating table occurs.
Yearly dental check up will be best for dogs over 5 years but Singaporeans are too busy to do it. So, many aged dogs have foul breath and loose teeth. Painful mouth ulcers and tooth ache can lead to fits. This was a surprisingly good outcome case as I thought old dogs with fits will not live long. But here he is. Good appetite and active.
The leg tumour grows from grape size to kiwi to apple to mango size in a few weeks
Likely a malignant mast cell tumour as it reappears at its original site on the left hind limb. 5 years ago, Vet 1 excised a small tumour with 1-cm resection margin. Histology shows neoplastic cells at the edges of the excised tumour.
5 years later, a grape-sized tumour was discovered on the same spot. Vet 2 did a fine needle aspirate which drew no cells. The tumour grew from small grape sized to kiwi ro apple and now mango-sized when they came to Toa Payoh Vets.
Vet 2's senior surgeon said that FNA could have caused the tumour to expand. I disagreed as it was a recurring malignant tumour and so do grow aggressively. The senior surgeon gave 2 choices with no guarantees of success: 1. amputate the left limb 2. excise the tumour. The dog could die on the operating table owing to old age high anaesthetic risks. The owner decided not to operate and the tumour grew to the mango-sized when they came to Toa Payoh Vets. Dr Daniel was the surgeon for this case.
5 years later, a grape-sized tumour was discovered on the same spot. Vet 2 did a fine needle aspirate which drew no cells. The tumour grew from small grape sized to kiwi ro apple and now mango-sized when they came to Toa Payoh Vets.
Vet 2's senior surgeon said that FNA could have caused the tumour to expand. I disagreed as it was a recurring malignant tumour and so do grow aggressively. The senior surgeon gave 2 choices with no guarantees of success: 1. amputate the left limb 2. excise the tumour. The dog could die on the operating table owing to old age high anaesthetic risks. The owner decided not to operate and the tumour grew to the mango-sized when they came to Toa Payoh Vets. Dr Daniel was the surgeon for this case.
Friday, February 14, 2014
1330. Video: A white dwarf hamster is very itchy
Feb 14, 2014. Valentine's Day & 15th day of Chinese New Year.
The dwarf hamster had been scratching for the past few weeks. "Keeps scratching her elbows. Very itchy," the lady took leave from work in her Jurong office to send the hamster for treatment. I checked the past records and on Sep 8, 2013, there was an inflamed right elbow.
Now both elbows and inside the two thighs and above the knees are hairless and red. There were bite marks. The hamster was anaesthesized and the hairs around the inflamed joints clipped and washed. Oral pred was given and the hamster is restricted to eating seeds but no more orange and green coloured pellets common in the hamster food. The bedding is paper now.
It is hard to know the cause of the allergies. The colouring in the food pellets may be a cause as the hamster is not given sand bath nor shampoo or spray.
"Is it serious? Is it serious?" the young lady asked me.
"Yes, if the hamster keeps scratching non-stop to relieve the itch. Sometimes, they pull out their body hairs as I had one case earlier!"
Follow up in 4 weeks.
Video.
The dwarf hamster had been scratching for the past few weeks. "Keeps scratching her elbows. Very itchy," the lady took leave from work in her Jurong office to send the hamster for treatment. I checked the past records and on Sep 8, 2013, there was an inflamed right elbow.
Now both elbows and inside the two thighs and above the knees are hairless and red. There were bite marks. The hamster was anaesthesized and the hairs around the inflamed joints clipped and washed. Oral pred was given and the hamster is restricted to eating seeds but no more orange and green coloured pellets common in the hamster food. The bedding is paper now.
It is hard to know the cause of the allergies. The colouring in the food pellets may be a cause as the hamster is not given sand bath nor shampoo or spray.
"Is it serious? Is it serious?" the young lady asked me.
"Yes, if the hamster keeps scratching non-stop to relieve the itch. Sometimes, they pull out their body hairs as I had one case earlier!"
Follow up in 4 weeks.
Video.
1329. Audit of case: 14-year-old Maltese lost appetite and cannot stand up
TP XX988
Maltese, female, not spayed, born Feb 20, 2000
An elderly couple takes care of this dog as the daughter has married and left her dog to parents.
On Feb 12, 2014, the dog had eaten very little for the past 6 days. Yesterday, heavy breathing, limping and was unable to stand up on hind legs. Could walk but slowly. Had "fits" lasting few seconds. What's the problem?
"When was the last menses bleeding?" I asked as the dog was not spayed and I detected some mammary gland swelling and dirty black brown nipple discharge which I showed the couple. .
"No more bleeding for a long time," the wife said.
"Is there a period of time when the dog was continuously cleaning her private parts?"
"She cleans herself after urination," the wife said.
"Any cleaning even though there was no peeing? For example, 2 months ago, before Christmas?"
"Yes, sometime in December. She was busy cleaning herself."
"14-year-old dogs still can cycle," I palpated the lower abdomen and the spinal area. The uterus was swollen at around 1 cm in diameter and the T/L spinal region was painful on palpation.
"Your dog has pyometra and false pregnancy," I said. "A hormonal imbalance. If she had been spayed at a young age, there will be no problem."
Blood test showed an elevated AST/SGOT of 106 (normal <81 89.4="" at="" but="" cell="" count="" glucose="" high="" neutrophils="" normal.="" normal="" p="" the="" total="" was="" white="">
"This is the start of pyometra," I said. "The dog is aged too but the blood test is normal except for increase in neutrophils.Did the dog vomit?"
"No," the wife said. "She vomited once and was not eating for 2 days in Feb 6, and Dr Daniel had a blood test done."
The blood test was normal except for glucose at 9.4 (3.9-6.0) and Neutrophils at 86.4% similar to the recent one.
The owners did not want an X-ray.
It was lucky that I could show the nipple discharge of false pregnncy. "The hormonal imbalance can cause the dog to lose appetite as in this case. The dog would eat a bit of the canned A/D diet and nothing else. I advise spaying to remove the abnormal ovaries but the anaesthetic risks are very high as the dog is 134 years old now."
The couple would let the daughter decide. Strangely, without eating much, the Maltese came in for the 3rd injection (today) was much alert and walking with unsteady gait. Her rectal temp was normal at 38.3. The husband remarked that she was much stronger now. Dental scaling by Dr Daniel yesterday appeared to be good for the dog as she permitted me to open her mouth unlike previous days.
Today I would give the antibiotic and S/C amino acids. The problem is that the owner cannot syringe feed he dog with antibiotics and canned food as the daughter lived far away. Without hand or forced feeding and electrolytes, this dog will soon get emaciated.
Maltese, female, not spayed, born Feb 20, 2000
An elderly couple takes care of this dog as the daughter has married and left her dog to parents.
On Feb 12, 2014, the dog had eaten very little for the past 6 days. Yesterday, heavy breathing, limping and was unable to stand up on hind legs. Could walk but slowly. Had "fits" lasting few seconds. What's the problem?
"When was the last menses bleeding?" I asked as the dog was not spayed and I detected some mammary gland swelling and dirty black brown nipple discharge which I showed the couple. .
"No more bleeding for a long time," the wife said.
"Is there a period of time when the dog was continuously cleaning her private parts?"
"She cleans herself after urination," the wife said.
"Any cleaning even though there was no peeing? For example, 2 months ago, before Christmas?"
"Yes, sometime in December. She was busy cleaning herself."
"14-year-old dogs still can cycle," I palpated the lower abdomen and the spinal area. The uterus was swollen at around 1 cm in diameter and the T/L spinal region was painful on palpation.
"Your dog has pyometra and false pregnancy," I said. "A hormonal imbalance. If she had been spayed at a young age, there will be no problem."
Blood test showed an elevated AST/SGOT of 106 (normal <81 89.4="" at="" but="" cell="" count="" glucose="" high="" neutrophils="" normal.="" normal="" p="" the="" total="" was="" white="">
"This is the start of pyometra," I said. "The dog is aged too but the blood test is normal except for increase in neutrophils.Did the dog vomit?"
"No," the wife said. "She vomited once and was not eating for 2 days in Feb 6, and Dr Daniel had a blood test done."
The blood test was normal except for glucose at 9.4 (3.9-6.0) and Neutrophils at 86.4% similar to the recent one.
The owners did not want an X-ray.
It was lucky that I could show the nipple discharge of false pregnncy. "The hormonal imbalance can cause the dog to lose appetite as in this case. The dog would eat a bit of the canned A/D diet and nothing else. I advise spaying to remove the abnormal ovaries but the anaesthetic risks are very high as the dog is 134 years old now."
The couple would let the daughter decide. Strangely, without eating much, the Maltese came in for the 3rd injection (today) was much alert and walking with unsteady gait. Her rectal temp was normal at 38.3. The husband remarked that she was much stronger now. Dental scaling by Dr Daniel yesterday appeared to be good for the dog as she permitted me to open her mouth unlike previous days.
Today I would give the antibiotic and S/C amino acids. The problem is that the owner cannot syringe feed he dog with antibiotics and canned food as the daughter lived far away. Without hand or forced feeding and electrolytes, this dog will soon get emaciated.
Monday, February 10, 2014
1328. Two monasteries in Hintinda, Irrawaddy, Myanmar
Feb 10, 2014 Monday
Hotel Grand United Rm 709. 6.30 am
Yesterday, I had a Myanmar breakfast at a monastery and saw a local wedding in the monastery. The bridal costume was white but was not a "real" wedding dress according to Thin Thin. It was a white Myanmar dress.
My friend Khin Khin is a benefactor to the monastery and has donated money to build a library cum bedroom for the monk. "Don't use the monk's bathroom," Khin Khin advised me. I used the common public bathroom in another building. It was dark and needed renovation.
Donors are appreciated and their names are shown on the buildings. Her grandparents and parents had been donating money to help this monastery. Recently, her mum and she donated $80,000 to build a new 2-storey building. The head monk showed us the location of the building to be built. "Plan for 3-storeys," I advised. "In case there is another donor with $40,000 later."
This monastery has a school to educate around 140 student monks as in the traditional monastery made of wood and housing student monks, seen in Inle Lake area. I was surprised to see the young student monks reciting their mantras in a big class-room.
Lucky Two Guest House in Hintinda is a guest house. Next to it is a shop selling Myanmar silk and longi. Bought 2 blouses for two Myanmar friends in Singapore. Singapore ladies will never wear these traditional Myanmar blouses with shiny sequeins, so I don't waste money buying for them.
A straight road to Yangon from Hintinda cut travelling time by 1-2 hours but being unpaved, it was rocky bumpy ride for over 1 hour. Saw some sunflowers on the way. Lunch in a restaurant where the food is so good that local wealthy people send their staff to take away.
Prices will be higher but there is this niche for good food with good cooking oil, according to Thin Thin. She bought me some fish "stomach" dish which is expensive but I did not eat it. Went to Royal Asia Veterinary Surgery in the afternoon to visit the vet. A 2-seat ride around the back lanes in the evening. New apartment blocks of 3 storeys exist with run-down houses. The land in this suburb is so expensive. Had dinner at Coca Restaurant set up by a Singaporean. The family had a trusted Myanmar employee who now runs the show after the passing away of the founder, according to Thin Thin. A graduate in history who can speak English and had worked in Singapore as a domestic worker earned around 0.8 laks was serving us in a room since Dr Aung always bring his foreigner friends for dinner and is well known. She is worth more since she can understand and understand English. Poaching for good English-speaking staff will continue in modernising Yangon.
Got to go. 6.45 am. Breakfast and out at 7 am as Khin Khin has a driver to bring me to see some travel agents and a realtor.
Hotel Grand United Rm 709. 6.30 am
Yesterday, I had a Myanmar breakfast at a monastery and saw a local wedding in the monastery. The bridal costume was white but was not a "real" wedding dress according to Thin Thin. It was a white Myanmar dress.
My friend Khin Khin is a benefactor to the monastery and has donated money to build a library cum bedroom for the monk. "Don't use the monk's bathroom," Khin Khin advised me. I used the common public bathroom in another building. It was dark and needed renovation.
Donors are appreciated and their names are shown on the buildings. Her grandparents and parents had been donating money to help this monastery. Recently, her mum and she donated $80,000 to build a new 2-storey building. The head monk showed us the location of the building to be built. "Plan for 3-storeys," I advised. "In case there is another donor with $40,000 later."
This monastery has a school to educate around 140 student monks as in the traditional monastery made of wood and housing student monks, seen in Inle Lake area. I was surprised to see the young student monks reciting their mantras in a big class-room.
Lucky Two Guest House in Hintinda is a guest house. Next to it is a shop selling Myanmar silk and longi. Bought 2 blouses for two Myanmar friends in Singapore. Singapore ladies will never wear these traditional Myanmar blouses with shiny sequeins, so I don't waste money buying for them.
A straight road to Yangon from Hintinda cut travelling time by 1-2 hours but being unpaved, it was rocky bumpy ride for over 1 hour. Saw some sunflowers on the way. Lunch in a restaurant where the food is so good that local wealthy people send their staff to take away.
Prices will be higher but there is this niche for good food with good cooking oil, according to Thin Thin. She bought me some fish "stomach" dish which is expensive but I did not eat it. Went to Royal Asia Veterinary Surgery in the afternoon to visit the vet. A 2-seat ride around the back lanes in the evening. New apartment blocks of 3 storeys exist with run-down houses. The land in this suburb is so expensive. Had dinner at Coca Restaurant set up by a Singaporean. The family had a trusted Myanmar employee who now runs the show after the passing away of the founder, according to Thin Thin. A graduate in history who can speak English and had worked in Singapore as a domestic worker earned around 0.8 laks was serving us in a room since Dr Aung always bring his foreigner friends for dinner and is well known. She is worth more since she can understand and understand English. Poaching for good English-speaking staff will continue in modernising Yangon.
Got to go. 6.45 am. Breakfast and out at 7 am as Khin Khin has a driver to bring me to see some travel agents and a realtor.
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