2992. A 9-year-old Yorkshire Terrier had creaking jaw sounds and in-and-out tongue movements for a few weeks

Dec 16, 2016

A strange case. The dog behaved normally at the vet as in most patients. No jaw movements, teeth grinding or mobile tongue. Sore eyes and a bald greyish spot below the lower eyelid of the left eye.
"He may be suffering from an early stage of carnassial tooth abscess," the owner thought as she had seen similar symptoms in other dogs with the same condition.

"This is possible as the dog does not permit opening of his mouth," I encountered fully clamped jaws.  

A grey spot below the lower eyelid of the left eye (above).

No loose teeth, bad breath or exposed roots. The cheek teeth were encrusted with golden tartar. "My dog eats only beef, rice, peas and carrots and no dry food, the owner said. "He is allergic to chicken and will never want to eat kibbles".

A well-maintained dog with big eyes.
Blood test. 
Liver disorder. ALT 140 (<59 100="" ast="" br="">Blood glucose low   3.6 (3.9-6.0) although the dog has good appetite. 
Serum urea high 11.7 (4.2-6.3) and creatinine low at 73 (89-177).

Would this dog be suffering from hypoglyacemia, causing the nervous signs of mouth movements?
Also livet disorder could cause acute abdominal pain and hence lip twitching?

This dog loves to lick the floor and other things in the house. So he could have ingested chemicals toxic to the liver. The reaction is nervous signs like jaw movements.        

2991. A 26-month-old hamster had surgeries

Feedback from owner

 

Dec 12, 2016 email

 

Hi Dr Sing,

Claire is largely back to her happy hamster self. Pretty good for a 'senior citizen' after major surgery!

Thanks and best,

L N

 

 

 

2989. An anorexic 20-year-old red-eared slider keeps sneezing

After antibiotics, the terrapin regained appetite the next day. Fed on pellets and some carrots. Water changed every 2 days but very shallow level. Terrapin is kept in shallow water for 24 hours a day for past years.

Advised dry docking and medication.

2988. Be Kind To Pets images

An 8-year-old female spayed Maltese hides in a corner and keeps scratching for past 3 months

Sunday Dec 11, 2016

TP 46489
Referral from the owner's friend on Dec 8, 2016.

This Maltese had skin disease for the last 3 months. The owner had consulted 2 vets who prescribed medication, prescription skin diet and said no mite infestation. But the skin disease and scratching persisted. His friend referred him to me.

Neck hairless and red. All 4 paws red. Ears painful. No scales or dry skin. The owner applied Chinese medicated oil to the paws to prevent licking.

After clipping bald, the whole body is filled with rashes and pustules. I call it generalised pustular dermatitis, usually caused by bacteria. Ultraviolet light negative fluorescence, so probably no ringworm. Oily skin could be due to yeast infection. 

Blood test showed low platelet count, with platelet clumping noted. High blood urea and low creatinine. High AST.


FOLLOW UP ON Sunday Dec 11, 2016
"After the first 2 days, the skin is better, not red," the owner said. "The dog now stops hiding in the corner and comes out to play."

"Why does she hide in the corner?" I asked.
"I don't know."
"Is she afraid that you put the Chinese oil onto her paws to prevent biting?" I asked as the platelet count was low and indicated toxicity in the blood.
"She could have licked the oil, I had applied for the last 7 days," the owner said. "She could be hiding to lick her paws!"

It is important for the owner that the dog feels better and come out to play. She eats better too. Will need to wait one month to review. In the meantime, no dog treats, Chinese oil application, no pet shop creams etc. Just home-cooked food as this dog could be allergic to dry dog food.

This dog had 2 episodes of itchness in the past and had recovered. But the past 3 months were the worst.

Chronic and severe skin disease is a costly disease to treat and follow ups are very important. Many Singapore owners do not follow up with the same vet.

2986. A red-eared slider has a swollen neck

Dec 8, 2016



Red-eared slider, M, 2 yrs




Sudden onset neck swelling on Dec 7, 2016. Why?
1. Traumatic injury. 2 other terrapins of similar age roam the apartment with him.
2. Allergy to paint nearby. Toxic reaction.

Hospitalised Dec 8 to 10. Neck swelling has subsided (see video) and the terrapin ate 20 pellets. Passed one large stool pellet. Had lost 40 g (weight 360g). Went home on Dec 10, 2016 (Sat, yesterday). 

I phoned owner on Dec 11, 2016 at 10 am today.  He said not eating and neck swelling is the same as on the first day.

2985. A phenomenon during tea at The Greyhound Cafe

Dec 8, 2016 was most memorable. I went for tea with an old friend who was a client. Her cat was very sick and the veterinary nurse of another vet asked her to go to another vet clinic. She would soon be employed by this other vet. She came to Toa Payoh Vets instead. Many years ago.

Today, I assumed it would just be a simple tea from 3 pm to 6 pm as invited by her. The last time we met, it was to celebrate New Year. I had sms her whether she would be celebrating Christmas which she does every year. I thought of going overseas for a break. She invited me for tea to catch up. Sometimes, she would not reply to my text message enquiring about her health. So, I attended the tea. Her sister was with her. I sat opposite her. Her sister sat to her left.

We spoke about her past life. Now she is very successful and everyone thinks it comes easy. I know that no success come easy as I had witnessed her from the pits of despair to the present day success of too many jobs. Others in the industry are lamenting and dying, retrenching staff.   
.