Jack Russell, F, 10 years
I had seen this dog as a puppy and was surprised to see her after so many years.
"Her breast tumours grow very fast in the last 2 months," the owner said.
The largest tumour was the size of an orange, measuring 13 cm x 13cm x 10 cm. on the right MG 4 & 5 glands. The left MG1 and 2 and the left MG4 and 5 had large hard tumours too..
X-rays and blood test taken.
There appeared to be lung nodules.
"The breast tumours are likely cancerous," I said. "They will recur after surgery, sometimes as early as within 3 months."
Removal of the large right breast tumour and spaying the dog would be the first step, if possible. 3 weeks later, removal of the left MG1 and 2 and MG 4 and 5 tumours.. There will be insufficient skin to stitch up.
EMAIL DATGED JULY 12, 2016 FROM A HAMSTER OWNER TO TOA PAYOH VETS
Hi there
Im an owner of a year
plus dwarf hamster. Few months ago i brought her to a vet (i shall not
mention) and found out that she has a growth internally. But the vet
couldn't do anything as claimed that my hamster might die during the
surgery.
I notice my hamster is still active after months and saw her
wanting to run on her wheel but i guess she is in pain she stop. So i
brought her to another vet as i would really want to try again if she
can be cured. The vet wanted to charge me $400 for the surgery and i
understand that with her old age she might not survive the surgery but
then paying $400 is not worth if i cant have her back alive.
Can
you please advice how much will your clinic charge to do internal
surgery about 4cm big. I really hope to have her life longer :(
Thanks
EMAIL REPLY FROM DR SING KONG YUEN DATED JULY 13, 2016
Our fees are estimated to be $250-300 depending on time taken. Pl phone 6254 3326 for appointment.
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No vet can guarantee a hamster or any animal will be alive after anaesthesia as there are anaesthetic risk in any animal or human undergoing anaesthesia. The healthy ones are very unlikely to die under anaesthesia.
VIDEOS
Follow up:
The above-mentioned hamster was discharged on the same day after operation to save the owner some money. He was active and eating on the 2nd day.
On July 18, 2016, the owner phoned me at 8.20 am saying that the hamster's wound was swollen and smelly since yesterday, Sunday. She should have quickly brought the hamster back yesterday.
COINCIDENCE
A SIMILAR BIG NECK TUMOUR IN ANOTHER HAMSTER
SOME 10 DAYS EARLIER
This video shows the operation of another hamster with a large neck tumour, similar to the one above.
The operation is done by Dr Daniel Sing and I took the video to educate hamster owners.
It is a coincidence to get 2 hamsters with similar gigantic neck tumours within 10 days. They are owners who surf the internet and come to Toa Payoh Vets.
A much smaller early tumour can be easily removed but many hamster owners do not come early, for various reasons. Some have had consulted a vet who is not keen on hamster anaesthesia as it is really risky. In this case, the hamster almost died. But he is Ok.
In 2015 and 2016, Toa Payoh Vets have at least one hamster case per week, thanks to the internet surfers. In some days, we have terrapin, rabbit, guinea pig and hamster cases all in one day, in addition to dogs and cats. So, it is never dull every day.
8 days later, on Jul 13, 2016. GP collapsed overnight, glassy-eyed, not moving. Has fever but had not eaten on his own for past 8 days. Hand fed and given water 500 ml /day
Yesterday, I was interviewed for a "success story" to inspire young generation who wants to be vets. How do you define "success"? Lots of money and big chain of vet clinics? I was surprised to talk to a lady interviewer who could not be present within 1 metre of any dog, big or small. This dog worrier was chased by big dogs when she was 3 years old. Now her husband loves dogs but cannot keep one forever.
Later in the evening, I met a Junior College lady who was in similar position at my
daughter-in-law's birthday dinner yesterday. She tried to avoid my son's
dog who went near her to get some food. So I sent the dog away behind closed doors of the kitchen. Poor Gatsby.
Two
days ago, another of my client had to send the son's dog sent away or put to
sleep as his wife did not like dogs. They were downgrading to a
smaller flat. Fortunately, the maid who had to find a new employer loved
this oldie and the new employer did not mind having the dog. When the
dog was sick, the ex-employer spared no expenses to get her operated and
she is well today.
What a coincidence to get 3 true dog stories in a short time.
Most pet owners in Singapore live hectic lives. After an intense care for their puppies/kittens, the senior pets are just left alone. It is usually too late for many pets when they are sent to the veterinarian for some chronic disease problems. Veterinary costs become high as the pet is in poor health.
Age of Senior dogs:
Small and Medium-sized breeds: Over 7 years
Large and Giant-sized breeds: Over 5 years.
For those who may want their senior dogs to live longer, here are the following recommendations:
1. Veterinary examination and vaccination every 12 months.
2. Blood tests to check for diabetes,liver and kidney diseases.
3. Urine tests to check on bladder and kidney infections and presence of stones.
4. X-rays if necessary for arthritic hip joints/urinary stones/abdominal tumours.
5. Ultrasounds for chest/abdominal tumours
5. Dental check up and scaling every 1 year.
6. Heart check for murmurs and heart diseases.
7. Vaccination booster every year.
8. A veterinary discussion about the delay in senility, obesity, behavioural problems, skin problems and any questions related to each individual dog.
TIP
Early spay or neuter at less than one year old prevents many of the diseases associated with the reproductive hormones. For example:
1. Pyometra of female dogs, not spayed
2. Breast tumours of female dogs, not spayed
3. Testicular tumours
4. Perineal hernias of male dogs, not neutered
5. Circum-anal tumours of male dogs, not neutered
TIP
Yearly dental scaling prevents
1. Gum diseases
2. Carnassial tooth abscess
3. Bad breath due to rotten loose teeth
Many case reports and videos are at www.toapayohvets.com
The average life-span of a dog in Singapore is 12 years. Oldest ones live up to 20 years. However, many die before they are 12 years of age due to bad health and senility and other preventable causes such as bacterial infection of the heart valves due to severe gum diseases, pyometra, kidney diseases, diabetes and breast tumours.
Bladder stones of this 15-year-old cat were removed some months ago at Toa Payoh Vets. I advised change to Feline C/D diet to prevent recurrence. The old cat just would not eat the new food which should be given gradually.
So, the owner fed back the old dry diet.
Recently, the cat was ill and x-rays showed multiple stones in the kidneys and bladder.
Around 2 weeks, drinks around 250 ml water per day compared to over 500 ml per day earlier. New hay brand (Orchard Hay small pet select) fed since 2 weeks ago as the usual brand was out of stock.
Vegetables stopped 1 week ago. Carrots, wheat grass, coriander Cries for attention for past 1 week ago
Stools look normal in shape and size, around the same amount Urine brownish. Normal colour was yellow.
The other 3 guinea pigs are OK.
Bladder stone caused pain in the bladder and difficulty in walking in the past 2 days. The guinea pig stops eating. Stools appear to be stuck inside the large intestines.
Pain killers and antibiotics. Fibreplex to move the bowels. Surgery to remove the bladder stone is not advised presently.
Difficulty in walking is a sign of bladder stone in some dogs and in this case, the guinea pig.
Abdominal swelling is due to impaction of the colon and not to gas, fortunately, unlike my other guinea pig case. A change of hay brand must be made gradually but in this case, the pet shop ran out of stock of the old brand. The other 3 guinea pigs appear OK with the change to Orchard Hay.
What evidence is there that the dog has pyometra? "This dog had no bleeding of heat during the past 3 years," the owner asserted and so, would not produce bleeding from the uterus.
On examining my records, the dog came in Jan 2015 for vaccination. I detected false pregnancy with milk seen in the mammary glands and swelling of the nipples. I advised spaying to prevent pyometra.
No news.
Today, July 4, 2016, the owner accepted the evidence of swollen uterus on X-rays and blood infection from blood test. His helper had shown blackish red vaginal discharge seen 2 days ago, snapped in her smartphone. Brownish-yellow discharge dribbled from the swollen private parts.
