1416. An adopted dog sneezes and coughs

July 19, 2014

"This dog is very thin," I examined the male, neutered, 5-year-old Shih Tzu adopted from a humane shelter. He had tearing eyes and runny nose. He was sneezing and coughing and had been like that for the past 7 days. He was a lethargic type, not active at all.

"Has the dog been vaccinated?" I checked his gums and they were pale. His teeth were crusted with tartar. 
"Yes," the wife said. "In June."
"It is only 3 weeks since the vaccination and the dog could have been infected with the kennel cough virus or other germs. A blood test must be done as this dog is very thin."

BLOOD TEST
Two abnormalities.
1 .Low red blood cells, haemoglobin and platelets. This is highly suspicious of tick fever.
2. High urea and low creatinine.

"A dog does not need to show fever to have tick fever," I advised checking for Babesiosis. The owner wanted to wait and see, giving the antibiotics and heart medication first. There was a Grade 3 left mitral valvular disease which may cause coughing.

1415. What to do? Fully obstructed urethra in a Yangon dog with urinary stones.

I proposed cystotomy. Make a 3-4 cm cut in the bladder,  to drain the severely distended bladder and to make a fistula (hole from bladder to the midline) to the midline. This permits time to remove the urethral stones.

1414. Bone cancer in a Jack russell

July 18, 2014

Emaciated. Fast-growing hard lump on the left upper arm. X-rays.

X-rays
Lysis or periosteal reaction of the upper 1/3 of the humeral bone indicate a likelihood of neoplasia.

1413. The old Pom keeps panting for the past 3 days, worrying the owners

I had a case of a Pom with heart disease in 2009. The article is at:
http://www.bekindtopets.com/dogs/20090923Heart_Failure_Young_Pomeranian_ToaPayohVets.htm







July 18, 2014

This 14-year-old Pom kept panting and panting. So nobody could sleep at night. The owners decided to consult me. 3 years ago, she survived closed pyometra surgery and I had not seen her. But Singapore owners do doctor hop as 3 days ago, a sister took this old Pom to see Vet 1 for a hind leg limping. I checked with Vet 1.  Vet 1 prescribed Tramadol tablets only. No record of panting.

So, this was a recent thing. "5 days of panting and whining,"the brother said.  "3 days on and off panting,"the sister said.

Old dog. Heart disease. Rotten teeth are painful and would be a cause of whining.
I did a physical examination. A Grade 1 (very soft) mitral heart valve murmur or none.

This could be a case of adverse reaction to Tramadol. The dog did drool and lost appetite.
I advised dental extractions some 2 weeks later, after antibiotics, but it is up to the owners.

As at 3rd day after treatment, the owners have no complaints. The dog had not pooped on going home after one day of in-patient treatment but is OK.  No panting.

1412. A Roborovski has a rectal prolapse

1411. A 14-year-old Pom has been panting and whining for the past 5 days

July 16, 2014

"3 days ago, my Pom had limped on her left hind leg," the man said. "My sister consulted Vet 1 and he prescribed Tramadol tablet to be eaten. But she keeps panting and whining despite medication."
"The dog is no longer lame," I saw her walking normally on the floor of the consultation room. "How long had she been panting and whining?"
"For 5 days."

Dogs in pain can't speak. This 14-year-old Pom was restlessness and had heavy panting, fast heart rate, shaking and whining. She had poor appetite but would eat if hand fed. Based on the findings, Vet 1 determined that Tramadol was a good painkiller to give.

But the dog was still having difficulty breathing.


SIDE EFFECTS OF TRAMADOL
Tramadol is an effective pain killer used as an alternative to NSAID. Mild side effects include nausea, vomiting, constipation, dizziness, drowsiness, and panting. A drop in heart rate and constricted pupils may be present.

This dog has panting and whining and X-rays shows "constipation" as food keeps lodged in the stomach filling it to the brim (image) after 2 days of Tramadol.

So was the panting due to the pain or side effect of Tramadol? I got Vet 1 's medical record. He did not mention panting during the visit.

1410. An old Jack Russell has a large tear duct swelling

3 years ago, the swelling below the lower eyelid of the left eye was smaller and soft. I incise and drain it (illustration). The owner did not want histology. The tentative diagnosis was an abscess.

Now, 3 years later, the swelling has grown much bigger in size.

I advised surgical excision of the firm and painless growth before it becomes much bigger and infected. The dog would then rub it and be in pain. The lump may be sent to the laboratory for histological examination of malignancy.

The owners said that the dog is old and would wait and see.