Oct 27, 2015
I recorded one case of tail gland disease in a Siberian Husky in 2009 as follows:
http://www.bekindtopets.com/dogs/20091066Tail_Gland_Disease_Male_Husky_ToaPayohVets.htm
Today, another case of a male 15-year-old X-bred came in and was seen with Dr Daniel in the afternoon . The owners said that their vet charges only $1,000 all in to remove the much swollen tail end tumour now infested with maggots. Many months ago, the vet had proposed tail amputation plus neutering but the owners did not accept the advice. The tail growth enlarged to the size of an orange and becomes infested with maggots.
The owner could not remove all maggots as the dog was ferocious and contacted me by sms.
I suggested a Tardak injection plus antibiotics and painkillers before tail amputation 1 week later so that the tail would not be severely inflamed and infected. Amputation of an infected tail end will result in very poor wound healing. But the father wanted surgery today - tail amputation which would have done away with the need for removal of maggots on the gigantic growth.
"He is only a cross-bred," the father said. "I don't want to spend $1,000 treating this case. I am looking for an economical vet."
Since he was guaranteed by the first vet that the total cost would be only $1,000, he decided to go back to the first vet. "If he is more expensive, I will come back to you. I am looking for an economical vet."
I had quoted him $500 for amputation of an injured not infected tail but this was a much longer surgery with complications.
Last 3 days, I was seeing more older dog health problems from new clients.
Two recent cases of circumanal tumours in a 13-year-old Siberian Husky and in a 12-year-old English Cocker Spaniel. The former was quite inoperable with 3 large circum-anal tumours. The latter had a 1.5 cm tumour which would be easy to operate and remove but the owner cited "anaesthetic risks of dying" and so opted for the Tardak injections instead of surgery and neutering.
Tuesday, October 27, 2015
Monday, October 26, 2015
2342. A 14-year-old female dog has viral pneumonia after grooming - blood test for health screening
Octr 26, 2015
Maltese X, F, Not spayed, 14 years.
Not eating 2 days, lethargic, fever at 39.7C.
Watery stools and anorexia 2 days on Oct 21, 2015. Saw groomer who came with transport vehicle and had been grooming this dog for last 10 years.
"Harsh lung sounds," I had elicited coughing from this old dog much loved by the lady. "Possible viral infection at the groomer's 4 days ago. I need a blood test to be done."
Blood test on Oct 23, 2015.
Glucose 2 (3.9-6)
Total WCC 2.1 (6-17)
N = 1.7% (60-70%) Abso. 0.04 (3 to 11.5.)
L 29.3 (12-30%) Abso 0.61
M 68.4% (3-10%) Abso 1.44 (0.15 to 1.35)
E = 0.5%
B = 0.1%
The blood test indicated viral pneumonia. The owner came early. An IV drip with antibiotic and tolfedine.
Dog recovered on Oct 25 but not 100%. Recovery meant 80% appetite and up to her nonsense.
The other dog was lethargic for 2 days and had recovered earlier. Both went for grooming. It was great that the pneumonic dog did not deteriorate in health and had become more active after treatment.
This case shows that old dogs do get viral infection. Most Singapore owners do not bother to vaccinate their older dogs. It is surprising that this dog had a good outcome.
The dog was very thin and could have pyometra as her vulval area was swollen on Oct 23 (pus dripping, licking). Good ending.
Maltese X, F, Not spayed, 14 years.
Not eating 2 days, lethargic, fever at 39.7C.
Watery stools and anorexia 2 days on Oct 21, 2015. Saw groomer who came with transport vehicle and had been grooming this dog for last 10 years.
"Harsh lung sounds," I had elicited coughing from this old dog much loved by the lady. "Possible viral infection at the groomer's 4 days ago. I need a blood test to be done."
Blood test on Oct 23, 2015.
Glucose 2 (3.9-6)
Total WCC 2.1 (6-17)
N = 1.7% (60-70%) Abso. 0.04 (3 to 11.5.)
L 29.3 (12-30%) Abso 0.61
M 68.4% (3-10%) Abso 1.44 (0.15 to 1.35)
E = 0.5%
B = 0.1%
The blood test indicated viral pneumonia. The owner came early. An IV drip with antibiotic and tolfedine.
Dog recovered on Oct 25 but not 100%. Recovery meant 80% appetite and up to her nonsense.
The other dog was lethargic for 2 days and had recovered earlier. Both went for grooming. It was great that the pneumonic dog did not deteriorate in health and had become more active after treatment.
This case shows that old dogs do get viral infection. Most Singapore owners do not bother to vaccinate their older dogs. It is surprising that this dog had a good outcome.
The dog was very thin and could have pyometra as her vulval area was swollen on Oct 23 (pus dripping, licking). Good ending.
Sunday, October 25, 2015
2341. A coincidence - circum-anal tumour in a 12-year-old English Cocker Spaniel and a 13-year-old Siberian Husky
Sunday Oct 24, 2015
The active Blenheim English Cocker Spaniel looks larger than the average seen. He has the face of a Basset Hound. Male, not neutered, 12 years old came in as he had passed red blood in the urine yesterday.
"I palpated a golf-ball sized lump in the bladder area. It could also be an enlarged prostate" I said to the husband. "It is painless and an X-ray will be advised."
"However, the more important issue is that he has one small circum anal tumour. It measures 3 cm across below the right side of his anal area.
"No wonder he takes a long time to sit down recently," the wife said. The husband said: "We don't want to take the risk of him dying under anaesthesia. Is there an alternative treatment like medicine?"
So I gave Tardak 2.5 ml SC to bring down the size of this small tumour.Will it disappear since it is detected early?
By coincidence, yesterday, I had another case of 3 circum-anal tumours in a Siberian Husky, Male, 13 years/ The owner decided to operate it but the whole area is infected. The owner had consulted 3 vets before me. The 3rd vet did a biopsy which showed hepatoid adenoma. This test and surgery cost her $1,000. He quoted $2,000 for surgery. The owner consulted me. I told her that the tumours needed to be clean before surgery and there would be no skin to close up the anal wounds as there were 3 large tumours - two on the left and one on the right upper area of the anus, very close to the anal opening. Tardak and painkillers were effective for the past 3 days as the dog did not bite the tumours closing bleeding.
The active Blenheim English Cocker Spaniel looks larger than the average seen. He has the face of a Basset Hound. Male, not neutered, 12 years old came in as he had passed red blood in the urine yesterday.
"I palpated a golf-ball sized lump in the bladder area. It could also be an enlarged prostate" I said to the husband. "It is painless and an X-ray will be advised."
"However, the more important issue is that he has one small circum anal tumour. It measures 3 cm across below the right side of his anal area.
"No wonder he takes a long time to sit down recently," the wife said. The husband said: "We don't want to take the risk of him dying under anaesthesia. Is there an alternative treatment like medicine?"
So I gave Tardak 2.5 ml SC to bring down the size of this small tumour.Will it disappear since it is detected early?
By coincidence, yesterday, I had another case of 3 circum-anal tumours in a Siberian Husky, Male, 13 years/ The owner decided to operate it but the whole area is infected. The owner had consulted 3 vets before me. The 3rd vet did a biopsy which showed hepatoid adenoma. This test and surgery cost her $1,000. He quoted $2,000 for surgery. The owner consulted me. I told her that the tumours needed to be clean before surgery and there would be no skin to close up the anal wounds as there were 3 large tumours - two on the left and one on the right upper area of the anus, very close to the anal opening. Tardak and painkillers were effective for the past 3 days as the dog did not bite the tumours closing bleeding.
2340. The Husky has 3 circum-anal tumours
Oct 24, 2015
Husky, Male, 11 years, 17kg.
According to the owner
lst vet did not "diagnose" it. It was a small tumour.
"Inexperienced and young," the owner said.
2nd vet did not want to operate on it as the tumours had ballooned. So he refer to the 3rd vet.
3rd vet cut a portion and sent it to the histology lab for analysis. Circum-anal tumour, hepatoid adenoma. This cost $1,000. The surgery estimated to be $2,000. The biopsied tumour became inflamed and itchy.
That is how I became the 4th vet as the backside tumours were bleeding profusely all over the house. The owner came with the Clara, the pet transport lady to get the surgery done. The 3 tumours were infected and so the owners thought it was a simple surgery to cut them off.
"The tumours are large and very close to the anal opening," I advised operation and neutering to be 10 days later after a Tardak injection to shrink the tumours and medication for the infections. "It is not good for the dog to operate today as the bacteria will spread to the surgical wound, leading to stitch breakdown and a big skin hole hard to heal. You will have more medical costs and stress if the wound cannot close."
The owners wanted both neuter and circum-anal tumour removal today. The right undescended testicle was painful on palpation.
Tardak did reduce the bleeding. Tardak is an anti-androgen used totreat canine prostatic hypertrophy, circumanal tumours and modification of hypersexuality in the male dog. Some neutered male dogs still show hypersexuality. It is delmadinone acetate and acts in at least 2 modes of acgtion:
1. by the inhibition of pituitary gonadotrophin release. The inhibition of ICSH (Intersittial Cell STimulating Hormone) restrains testes interstitial cell function and hence testosterone production.
2. by possibly affection the "behavioural sex centre."
Tardak given at 2 ml SC caused the tumours to shrink a bit overnight. The dog was sent home to save on medical costs. Wound cleaning and anti-fly powder need to be done at home. 10 days later, the owner will WhatsApp the image to me to see whether the dog can undergo circum anal surgery.
Husky, Male, 11 years, 17kg.
According to the owner
lst vet did not "diagnose" it. It was a small tumour.
"Inexperienced and young," the owner said.
2nd vet did not want to operate on it as the tumours had ballooned. So he refer to the 3rd vet.
3rd vet cut a portion and sent it to the histology lab for analysis. Circum-anal tumour, hepatoid adenoma. This cost $1,000. The surgery estimated to be $2,000. The biopsied tumour became inflamed and itchy.
Before Tardak injection. Inoperable now.
That is how I became the 4th vet as the backside tumours were bleeding profusely all over the house. The owner came with the Clara, the pet transport lady to get the surgery done. The 3 tumours were infected and so the owners thought it was a simple surgery to cut them off.
"The tumours are large and very close to the anal opening," I advised operation and neutering to be 10 days later after a Tardak injection to shrink the tumours and medication for the infections. "It is not good for the dog to operate today as the bacteria will spread to the surgical wound, leading to stitch breakdown and a big skin hole hard to heal. You will have more medical costs and stress if the wound cannot close."
The owners wanted both neuter and circum-anal tumour removal today. The right undescended testicle was painful on palpation.
Tardak did reduce the bleeding. Tardak is an anti-androgen used totreat canine prostatic hypertrophy, circumanal tumours and modification of hypersexuality in the male dog. Some neutered male dogs still show hypersexuality. It is delmadinone acetate and acts in at least 2 modes of acgtion:
1. by the inhibition of pituitary gonadotrophin release. The inhibition of ICSH (Intersittial Cell STimulating Hormone) restrains testes interstitial cell function and hence testosterone production.
2. by possibly affection the "behavioural sex centre."
Tardak given at 2 ml SC caused the tumours to shrink a bit overnight. The dog was sent home to save on medical costs. Wound cleaning and anti-fly powder need to be done at home. 10 days later, the owner will WhatsApp the image to me to see whether the dog can undergo circum anal surgery.
Thursday, October 22, 2015
2339. An owner's intuition that her dog's anorexia is not due to heart disease
Drinks a lot. Not eating for 4 days. 14-year-old male Cavalier King Charles.
"I don't think that the cause of my dog not eating for the past 4 days is due to his heart disease," the working lady had been giving her 14-year-old Cavalier King Charles Vetmedin and furosemide for the past 10 months. "My dog's breathing rate is normal."
This dog had an unusually gigantic submandibular lymph nodes of around 5 cm across. Normal ones are not palpable. So, was there some bacterial infection of the mouth?
BLOOD TEST
Urea 68.2 (4.2-6.3)
Creatinine 511 (89-177)
suggestive of kidney failure
Haemoglobin 9.2 (12-18)
Red cell count 3.9 (5.5 - 8.5)
suggestive of anaemia
Total white cell count 35.5 (6. - 17) leucocytosis.
N 43.7% (60-70). Unusually low. Abs 15.5 (3-11.5)
L 49.6% Abs 17.6
PCV 0.26 (0.37-0.55)
X rays showed enlarged left heart.
So, the owner's intuition is correct. The dog has kidney failure, accounting for thirst and anaemia.
For the past months, no blood tests were done as the owner came for repeat heart disease medication and wants least medical costs.
Oct 23, 2015
The dog had vomited and had diarrhea yesterday. He was very weak and was unable to stand up.
At 9 am, the owner came as a housecall would not be of any help to the dog as he needed an IV drip. He was not able to stand up. "Your dog is very old at 14 years of age. He has heart and kidney disease and septicaemia. Hence there was vomiting and diarrhea. The chances of survival are very slim."
The owner decided to take the dog home after the IV drip. The dog was not able to stand. As she held the dog home in her arms to cross over the overhead bridge to Potong Pasir, the dog had a heart attack and passed away in her arms literally.
She thanked me and Dr Daniel for the efforts in saving her dog.
"I don't think that the cause of my dog not eating for the past 4 days is due to his heart disease," the working lady had been giving her 14-year-old Cavalier King Charles Vetmedin and furosemide for the past 10 months. "My dog's breathing rate is normal."
This dog had an unusually gigantic submandibular lymph nodes of around 5 cm across. Normal ones are not palpable. So, was there some bacterial infection of the mouth?
BLOOD TEST
Urea 68.2 (4.2-6.3)
Creatinine 511 (89-177)
suggestive of kidney failure
Haemoglobin 9.2 (12-18)
Red cell count 3.9 (5.5 - 8.5)
suggestive of anaemia
Total white cell count 35.5 (6. - 17) leucocytosis.
N 43.7% (60-70). Unusually low. Abs 15.5 (3-11.5)
L 49.6% Abs 17.6
PCV 0.26 (0.37-0.55)
X rays showed enlarged left heart.
So, the owner's intuition is correct. The dog has kidney failure, accounting for thirst and anaemia.
For the past months, no blood tests were done as the owner came for repeat heart disease medication and wants least medical costs.
Oct 23, 2015
The dog had vomited and had diarrhea yesterday. He was very weak and was unable to stand up.
At 9 am, the owner came as a housecall would not be of any help to the dog as he needed an IV drip. He was not able to stand up. "Your dog is very old at 14 years of age. He has heart and kidney disease and septicaemia. Hence there was vomiting and diarrhea. The chances of survival are very slim."
The owner decided to take the dog home after the IV drip. The dog was not able to stand. As she held the dog home in her arms to cross over the overhead bridge to Potong Pasir, the dog had a heart attack and passed away in her arms literally.
She thanked me and Dr Daniel for the efforts in saving her dog.
Wednesday, October 21, 2015
2338. A separate waiting area for cats and for dogs in a vet clinic
Oct 21, 2015
Recently I spoke to Dr Daniel about the concept of a separate waiting area for dog and cat owners. When I review the travel pics of a vet clinic in Gap, South France, it has implemented this concept.
2337. A gentle 6-year-old female guinea pig has a doublel chin?
Oct 20, 2015
The busy working couple came at 6 pm with this 6-year-old guinea pig after making an appointment yesterday. I was talking to a dog owner who came to buy the L/D diet for his old female dog with liver disease and breast tumour.
For this dog owner, he had not wanted surgery when his old dog had a small breast tumour. He said he worried that the dog would feel very painful after the surgery.
"There are pain-killer drugs after surgery," I said frankly. "You were able to afford the surgery which cost around $300 to remove a small breast lump, but you proscrastinate." Sometimes, it is possible to be blunt if the vet knows the client well. It was just a fatal decision as the dog's breast tumours had grown and spread but no surgery could be done now as there was liver disease leading to very high anaesthetic risk.
Blood test had revealed liver disorder and so the dog was given the special liver diet L/D to prevent further liver damage. This dog had a very high anaesthetic risk as her liver was not normal and so no surgery to remove the breast tumour and spay was to be done.
As for this old guinea pig, the owners had to decide on operation. There is excess skin hanging down and the lump was soft. It could be a tumour or consolidated abscess. I will do the surgery today Oct 22, 2015 to incise and check what was inside this left chin swelling with loose skin.
TREATMENT
Isoflurane gas only.Large lipoma excised electro-surgery by Dr Daniel. No histology.
The busy working couple came at 6 pm with this 6-year-old guinea pig after making an appointment yesterday. I was talking to a dog owner who came to buy the L/D diet for his old female dog with liver disease and breast tumour.
For this dog owner, he had not wanted surgery when his old dog had a small breast tumour. He said he worried that the dog would feel very painful after the surgery.
"There are pain-killer drugs after surgery," I said frankly. "You were able to afford the surgery which cost around $300 to remove a small breast lump, but you proscrastinate." Sometimes, it is possible to be blunt if the vet knows the client well. It was just a fatal decision as the dog's breast tumours had grown and spread but no surgery could be done now as there was liver disease leading to very high anaesthetic risk.
Blood test had revealed liver disorder and so the dog was given the special liver diet L/D to prevent further liver damage. This dog had a very high anaesthetic risk as her liver was not normal and so no surgery to remove the breast tumour and spay was to be done.
As for this old guinea pig, the owners had to decide on operation. There is excess skin hanging down and the lump was soft. It could be a tumour or consolidated abscess. I will do the surgery today Oct 22, 2015 to incise and check what was inside this left chin swelling with loose skin.
TREATMENT
Isoflurane gas only.Large lipoma excised electro-surgery by Dr Daniel. No histology.
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