Sat Feb 25, 2017
A young couple visited Vet 1 near their home. Vet 1 inserted a needle into the soft golf-ball sized swelling behind the left ear and above the left shoulder. Clear fluid was aspirated. "It is a salivary cyst," Vet 1 said.
The swelling did not disappear. The couple surfed the internet and came to Toa Payoh Vets. "We saw a Youtube of a guinea pig with a swelling done by Toa Payoh Vets," the gentleman said.
"This looks more like an ordinary cyst rather than a salivary cyst," I noted that the location of this large swelling is distant from the sublingual and submandibular salivary glands. "It is possible to be a salivary cyst but unlikely. Fluid need to be sent for laboratory examination to check for cells," I advised.
Dr Daniel operated. The cyst was large (see picture) but ruptured, spilling clear fluid.
Saturday, February 25, 2017
Thursday, February 23, 2017
3036. A 6-month-old stunted red-eared slider has 2 ear abscesses - self treatment by owner.
Feb 23, 2017
A young couple went to Vet 1 to get the terrapin treated for ear abscesses. Vet 1 gave an "injection"
into the area between the neck and shoulders. The owners did not know what injection it was.
"Anyway, the abscesses still remain!", the lady said.
"There's a red bruise in the swollen left ear," I asked the lady whether she did it herself treatment.
"I pricked the swelling and a bit of pus came out," she said.
"The pus is cheesy in a terrapin's swollen ear," I said. "Pricking it will not rupture the abscess."
Under some gas anaesthesia, I had the swollen ears lanced by a scalpel, used a curette to
excavate the thick pus thoroughly. There was bleeding. The wound was irrigated and drained.
"Why did he get ear infections?" the lady had 2 siblings. The smaller one is now twice the size of this patient.
"Most likely, this terrapin hides inside the water most of the time to avoid the big bully," I said. "So, bacteria get inside the ears over time."
"Yes, he does spend most time inside the water," the lady confirmed. "I change the water every day and sometimes more than once daily."
"The older big-sized sibling is OK eating as many pellets as given, more than 16 pellets per day.
"You need to house this one separately and give plenty of space to bask," I advised. "The terrapin will be in for 3 days to ensure no residual bacteria."
Ear abscesses are a common surgical condition in terrapins in Singapore.
A young couple went to Vet 1 to get the terrapin treated for ear abscesses. Vet 1 gave an "injection"
into the area between the neck and shoulders. The owners did not know what injection it was.
"Anyway, the abscesses still remain!", the lady said.
"There's a red bruise in the swollen left ear," I asked the lady whether she did it herself treatment.
"I pricked the swelling and a bit of pus came out," she said.
"The pus is cheesy in a terrapin's swollen ear," I said. "Pricking it will not rupture the abscess."
Under some gas anaesthesia, I had the swollen ears lanced by a scalpel, used a curette to
excavate the thick pus thoroughly. There was bleeding. The wound was irrigated and drained.
"Why did he get ear infections?" the lady had 2 siblings. The smaller one is now twice the size of this patient.
"Most likely, this terrapin hides inside the water most of the time to avoid the big bully," I said. "So, bacteria get inside the ears over time."
"Yes, he does spend most time inside the water," the lady confirmed. "I change the water every day and sometimes more than once daily."
"The older big-sized sibling is OK eating as many pellets as given, more than 16 pellets per day.
"You need to house this one separately and give plenty of space to bask," I advised. "The terrapin will be in for 3 days to ensure no residual bacteria."
Ear abscesses are a common surgical condition in terrapins in Singapore.
3035. What to do with a large liver cyst?
Feb 21, 2017
Routine blood test. Liver enzymes slightly elevated.
Ultrasound & MRI. One large liver cyst of around 12 cm across and smaller ones.
3 Gastro-enterologists in private practice.
SPECIALIST 1.
Liver cysts are common. Computer screen shows graphic of liver.
Liver cysts are mostly benign. 3 options.
1. No treatment. MRI 6 months later to say whether enlarged.
2. Keyhole surgery for histopathology. Not advised as not 100% of cyst wall can be sampled.
If benign, does not mean no malignancy.
3. Surgery.
3.1 Usual risk of anaesthesia, bleeding, infection. Also pneumonia as painful to breathe post-op, phelgm accumulates. Exercise before surgery. Breathing tools. Patient may regret surgery done if cyst is benign 100% and be able to accept this possibility.
3.2 Will not take out the smaller liver cyst
3.3 Needs 2 surgeons and an anaesthesist for liver surgery.
3.4 I should have sufficient liver tissues to lead a normal life. The liver "regenerates" by enlargement, not really growing new liver cells!
4. Cost $30,000 - $40,000.
5. Need more cancer marker tests and ECG.
SPECIALIST 2.
1. Classmate of Dr Chua Seng Chew, my GP who referred me to him. He does not perform surgery.
2. Reviewed ultrasound and MRI.
3. Reviewed colonscopy and gastro-duodenal scopy done by Dr Eu Kong Weng. Advised
stools pre-scope to flush out residual stools affecting scope. 2-yearly scope will do.
4. Physical exam of right upper abdomen. No pain. Took weight.
5. Refers to Specialist 3 who is a surgeon for another opinion.
SPECIALIST 3.
1. Specialist 3 who is a surgeon.
2. Only 2% of liver cysts become cancerous as most are benign.
The largest liver cyst he operated had filled up the rib cage and causing breathing distress in a patient.
3. Inserted ultrasound CD into computer and and showed me the "echogenic" materials floating inside the
large cyst. This material and walled cyst could develop into cancerous cells. I was surprised as he had seen the MRI. "Ultrasound provides more information than MRI," he explained patiently.
4. Not Echinococcal cyst as there will be many daughter cysts. As a vet, I might have been exposed
to Echinococcal parasites.
5. Surgery takes 2-3 hours.
6. Usual risk of anaesthesia, bleeding, infection. Also bile leakage despite closing all major bile ducts during surgery. Need to insert a "drain." I did not ask how this drain will resolve bile leakage. Enquired whether I had hepatitis vaccination or hepatitis in addition to health issues.
7. Will take out the other liver cyst too although I did not ask him.
8. Cost $30,000 - $40,000
CONCLUSION
I requested a routine blood test to screen my cholesterol levels and end up with discovery of
liver cysts from increased liver enzymes. What is the next step?
Routine blood test. Liver enzymes slightly elevated.
Ultrasound & MRI. One large liver cyst of around 12 cm across and smaller ones.
3 Gastro-enterologists in private practice.
SPECIALIST 1.
Liver cysts are common. Computer screen shows graphic of liver.
Liver cysts are mostly benign. 3 options.
1. No treatment. MRI 6 months later to say whether enlarged.
2. Keyhole surgery for histopathology. Not advised as not 100% of cyst wall can be sampled.
If benign, does not mean no malignancy.
3. Surgery.
3.1 Usual risk of anaesthesia, bleeding, infection. Also pneumonia as painful to breathe post-op, phelgm accumulates. Exercise before surgery. Breathing tools. Patient may regret surgery done if cyst is benign 100% and be able to accept this possibility.
3.2 Will not take out the smaller liver cyst
3.3 Needs 2 surgeons and an anaesthesist for liver surgery.
3.4 I should have sufficient liver tissues to lead a normal life. The liver "regenerates" by enlargement, not really growing new liver cells!
4. Cost $30,000 - $40,000.
5. Need more cancer marker tests and ECG.
SPECIALIST 2.
1. Classmate of Dr Chua Seng Chew, my GP who referred me to him. He does not perform surgery.
2. Reviewed ultrasound and MRI.
3. Reviewed colonscopy and gastro-duodenal scopy done by Dr Eu Kong Weng. Advised
stools pre-scope to flush out residual stools affecting scope. 2-yearly scope will do.
4. Physical exam of right upper abdomen. No pain. Took weight.
5. Refers to Specialist 3 who is a surgeon for another opinion.
SPECIALIST 3.
1. Specialist 3 who is a surgeon.
2. Only 2% of liver cysts become cancerous as most are benign.
The largest liver cyst he operated had filled up the rib cage and causing breathing distress in a patient.
3. Inserted ultrasound CD into computer and and showed me the "echogenic" materials floating inside the
large cyst. This material and walled cyst could develop into cancerous cells. I was surprised as he had seen the MRI. "Ultrasound provides more information than MRI," he explained patiently.
4. Not Echinococcal cyst as there will be many daughter cysts. As a vet, I might have been exposed
to Echinococcal parasites.
5. Surgery takes 2-3 hours.
6. Usual risk of anaesthesia, bleeding, infection. Also bile leakage despite closing all major bile ducts during surgery. Need to insert a "drain." I did not ask how this drain will resolve bile leakage. Enquired whether I had hepatitis vaccination or hepatitis in addition to health issues.
7. Will take out the other liver cyst too although I did not ask him.
8. Cost $30,000 - $40,000
CONCLUSION
I requested a routine blood test to screen my cholesterol levels and end up with discovery of
liver cysts from increased liver enzymes. What is the next step?
Tuesday, February 21, 2017
3035. A red-eared slider can see much better now.
Feb 19, 2017
The owner said, "He is more active and eating. He can see better now."
I took a close-up of the eye but had no macro-lens. Much of the cloudy corneal areas had cleared since I treated him a few weeks ago.
On close up, his upper eyelid starts to swell again as he must be rubbing.
Eye drops and medication.
Also not to submerge in water 24 hours a day. Feed separately.
The owner said, "He is more active and eating. He can see better now."
I took a close-up of the eye but had no macro-lens. Much of the cloudy corneal areas had cleared since I treated him a few weeks ago.
Eye drops and medication.
Also not to submerge in water 24 hours a day. Feed separately.
Monday, February 20, 2017
3033. A 5-year-old X-bred has a large armpit tumour
Feb 20, 2017
Factory dog. Male, not neutered, 5 years
The dog came with a large subcutaneous swelling. Abscess or tumour or both? X rays done.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
X ray of a Bearded Collie's upper arm haematoma. Dog has fully recovered after surgery to drain
haematoma.
Factory dog. Male, not neutered, 5 years
The dog came with a large subcutaneous swelling. Abscess or tumour or both? X rays done.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Dog was not co-operative during X-ray to get the cranial dorsal views.
No sedation as he may have heartworm disease.
Dr Daniel excised the tumour measuring 5" x 7" x 3 ". A fat cell tumour or mast cell tumour?
Owner did not want histology.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
X ray of a Bearded Collie's upper arm haematoma. Dog has fully recovered after surgery to drain
haematoma.
Sunday, February 19, 2017
3032. A 3-year-old heavily pregnant English Cocker Spaniel could not stand up for over 24 hours
Feb 8, 2017
The breeder said, "No hope for the dam. She collapsed over 24 hours since yesterday. So, I will wait till midnight to do a C-section."
It was 6.45 pm and I was driving to a dinner invitation as Lunar New Year has 15 days starting from Jan 27, 2017 which was the eve.
"No waiting," I ascertained the dam had copious amount of milk and was 58th day pregnant. No vets like to C-section a dead dam and by then the puppies may be dead too. The breeder might have other plans as later at the Surgery, I noted he had attempted glucose IV. He might want to wait and see and did not let me know. The other vet charges around $300 for a C-section and he would prefer the less expensive option. "Your c-section can permit me 3-4 dams to be C-section by the other vet," he used to let me know. Breeders, like large corporations can demand and do get lowest rates.
Some 10 years ago, I charged $300 per C-section at any time of day or holiday. I neglected my private patients and failed to build up Toa Payoh Vets. When another vet offered cheaper rates, I was out. This is a fact of business life.
I cancelled my dinner and I felt great joy in seeing 8 puppies and dam alive. The reason this breeder uses my service is that I had not given him any dead dam or puppies during C-section and so he has had confidence in me.
Use isoflurane gas only. Stabilise the dam with IV glucose and Hartmann's or even add calcium an hour or more before C-section for weaker dams.
4 days later, I visited the patient. She recovered her appetite after 2 days and is ravenous and active. Her 8 pups are nursed by 2 other dams. Her nipple sizes are large and so the older Spitz puppies would be nursed by her although they are old enough to be eating solid food.
The surrogate dams are younger and accept the pups.
The breeder's desired outcome was a living dam and all puppies alive and vigorous after C-section. He was most happy and satisfied.
Videos.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
More images
The breeder said, "No hope for the dam. She collapsed over 24 hours since yesterday. So, I will wait till midnight to do a C-section."
It was 6.45 pm and I was driving to a dinner invitation as Lunar New Year has 15 days starting from Jan 27, 2017 which was the eve.
"No waiting," I ascertained the dam had copious amount of milk and was 58th day pregnant. No vets like to C-section a dead dam and by then the puppies may be dead too. The breeder might have other plans as later at the Surgery, I noted he had attempted glucose IV. He might want to wait and see and did not let me know. The other vet charges around $300 for a C-section and he would prefer the less expensive option. "Your c-section can permit me 3-4 dams to be C-section by the other vet," he used to let me know. Breeders, like large corporations can demand and do get lowest rates.
Some 10 years ago, I charged $300 per C-section at any time of day or holiday. I neglected my private patients and failed to build up Toa Payoh Vets. When another vet offered cheaper rates, I was out. This is a fact of business life.
I cancelled my dinner and I felt great joy in seeing 8 puppies and dam alive. The reason this breeder uses my service is that I had not given him any dead dam or puppies during C-section and so he has had confidence in me.
Use isoflurane gas only. Stabilise the dam with IV glucose and Hartmann's or even add calcium an hour or more before C-section for weaker dams.
4 days later, I visited the patient. She recovered her appetite after 2 days and is ravenous and active. Her 8 pups are nursed by 2 other dams. Her nipple sizes are large and so the older Spitz puppies would be nursed by her although they are old enough to be eating solid food.
The surrogate dams are younger and accept the pups.
The breeder's desired outcome was a living dam and all puppies alive and vigorous after C-section. He was most happy and satisfied.
Videos.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
More images
Saturday, February 18, 2017
3031. Sex hormone dermatosis?
Feb 18, 2017
"He bites the family members too," the couple said to me. This male, not neutered, 9-year-old Jack Russell X was treated by me some 6 months ago. Hair loss on both sides of the flanks (truncal alopecia, itchy armpits and paws and lots of scales.
"Not so much scales nowadays," the owners did not continue feeding the anti-allergic dry dog food. "We clip him bald and that is why the hairs do not grow back." The 2 images show the recent condition.
The armpits and paws were inflamed red. Hairs do not appear to grow on the body or were clipped bald. The owners did not come for a review one month later.
"You use some oil?" I asked.
"Yes, we use coconut oil."
I advised neutering. This dog is very aggressive and would bite anybody who stood near his lady owner, including her grandfather. Neutering could cool him down and might resolve the hairs loss problem if it was due to excessive testosterone levels.
The owners would think about it..
"He bites the family members too," the couple said to me. This male, not neutered, 9-year-old Jack Russell X was treated by me some 6 months ago. Hair loss on both sides of the flanks (truncal alopecia, itchy armpits and paws and lots of scales.
"Not so much scales nowadays," the owners did not continue feeding the anti-allergic dry dog food. "We clip him bald and that is why the hairs do not grow back." The 2 images show the recent condition.
The armpits and paws were inflamed red. Hairs do not appear to grow on the body or were clipped bald. The owners did not come for a review one month later.
"You use some oil?" I asked.
"Yes, we use coconut oil."
The owners would think about it..
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