2981. A 15-year-old Jack Russell vomits and has bloody diarrhoea

July 21, 2016

Two 15-year-old Jack Russells as patients.

CASE 1
Actie outdoors. Goes for walks. Had ticks. 2 days ago
vomitted many times and passed bloody diarrhoea. Lethargic. Cyanotic mucous membranes. . Rectal temperature 37.6 is below noraml.  Had ticks - a big engorged one and smaller one.

Blood test showed high levels of urea, creatinine and ALT. Slightly higher total white cell count and neutrophils with decrease in platelets.

Recently, there are reports of leptospirosis (bacterial infection) in a pet care place's swimming pool and some cases in people.  Leptospirosis is a notifiable disease.

1/18 cases was confirmed leptospira according to a Straits Times report on July 21, 2016. Dogs were either not vaccinated or had no updated vaccination.

This dog had no exposure to rats but had walked in parks. IV drips and antibiotics were given but the dog had fits due to kidney failure. The beloved dog was euthanased as the prognosis for full recovery was very poor.  

 
 
X-rays showed enlarged liver and kidneys.
Negative for parvovirus.

"Does he catch rats?" I asked as there were some cases of leptosporosis in dogs and people reported. 
I treated with antibiotics, anti-spasmodic and IVdrips for 2 days. The dog showed fits which was controlled by diazepam IV 24 hourly for last 2 days. But he was unable to stand up. The owner decided on euthanasia.

Vomiting and diarrhoea are very common conditions in dogs. This dog was not boarded but had been to parks. He would have picked up some bacterial infections causing septicaemia. Many owners would not vaccinate older dogs and some do suffer from diseases causing serious illness.

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CASE 2
Went to other vets but no success in getting rid of the sourish smell from the right ear of this 15-year-old Jack Russell. Ear smear showed cocci bacteria.  I had the ear irrigated and prescribed antibiotics and ear ointment 3 x per week.  

2980. The cat had a tibial fracture 9 months ago and now walks almost normally after pinning at Toa Payoh Vets

July 21, 2016
The woman in her 50s feed 24 stray cats every evening all by herself.

"Cat food prices keep going up," she spent around $700 per month to feed 24 cats.

She brought this cat to me for fixing the fractured leg hind leg 9 months ago, being referred by her vet in Tampines.

An intramedullary pin was put in and the two bone pieces were aligned. I told her to return 6 weeks later to get the pin removed from the left hind leg. She did not come.

On Jul 2016, it was 9 months later. She phoned me as to whether the pin ought to be removed now and to bring the cat to see me.

She texted and sent the above-mentioned video:

"Princess had a left tibial fracture of distal 1/3 in the left hind leg 9 months ago fixed by you. The left hind leg sticks out when she is in the sitting position. Stilted gait.  Does Princess need to take out d pins? She can jump n run (a little award). U can tell her gait is not normal unlike other cats. Don't think she is suffering."

Being over 50s, she had never WhatsApp videos. To save her time and money as she is stressed out with cat feeding after work, I asked her to WhatsApp the above video. The cat looks OK and is normal in daily life.

So, I replied: Wait till there is a problem like lameness or loss of appetite. Take care of your health."

She texted: "OK".

Feeding 24 cats every night till midnight without fail and cleaning the area is a considerable task for this working woman. Dry cat food prices and the cost of living has shot up again.

Nobody wanted to help her. She had a young lady who helped out a bit but now she has shifted house far away.

If she had a younger dedicated person to help her set up a blog to update and showcase her good work and provide proper accounting, I am sure she can get some of the monthly  $700 in donations for the cat food from cat lovers.

For my part, I provided a listening year and this message:

Any kind soul willing to help her take care of the 24 stray cats or financially support part of the cat food purchase, please tel +65 9760 8313, Mdm Chua. 

2979. A young couple's terrapin gasps for breath 4 days ago

July 19, 2016

This terrapin with dark green pretty squarish patterned hard shell gasped for breath 4 days ago and was hospitalised. by me. The other two in the same tank (video) were normal and did not suffer from respiratory infection. 

"It could be due to smoking by family members," Dr Daniel said.
The couple were smoking outside the surgery but they confessed they never did it in front of the tank.
"My brother did smoke near the terrapins," the husband recalled This terrapin could have inhaled the smoke and got respiratory infection or irritation.

"It is amazing that the other two terrapins are not affected," I said. After 4 days of treatment at Toa Payoh Vets, the terrapin ate and recovered. No longer open-mouthed.  

I advised no live fishes in case of parasites and removal of the small stones in the aquarium.
The terrapin no longer gasps for breath (see video) but he has to live separately from the others for one month and given antibiotics for another 7 days.

The aquarium tank is well decorated and it is a pleasure to see the 3 terrapins swimming vigorously inside the tank. The couple had changed the filters and got rid of the smaller stones. As you can see in the video, the terrapin no longer gasps. 

2978. A 10-year-old Jack Russell has large breast tumours

July 19, 2016


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.

2977. A cat fell 3 stories - tibia and fibula fracture

Checking the alignment of the tibia fragments after pinning.



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X-ray taken by Vet 1 and given to the owner.  The owner was referred to Vet 2.
A full bone length X-ray will be needed before surgery.

2976. A Singaporean hamster owner's search for a hamster vet

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. 

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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.  

2975. A 1-year-old guinea pig has stone stuck in urethra

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

X-rays show bladder obstruction by stone now.

2974. Women who are afraid of dogs

July 13, 2016

 

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.

2973. Toa Payoh Vets' Tips: How your old dog or cat can live longer lives?

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.

+65 6254-3326, 9668-6468

judy@toapayohvets.com

for appointment
www.toapayohvets.com

2972. A 15-year-old cat has bladder and kidney stones now

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.