I inspected Trees 1, 2, 3 and 4 for the Oriental Garden Lizards I saw previously. None was found from 10 am to 10.30 am. In Tree 1, the gardener was trimming the yellow flowers and the noises would frighten them off the tree or supporting iron poles. Around Tree 3, another gardener was hosing the grounds. Noises made them hide.
I was taking some photos of the silver-leafed plants with purple flowers, near the main road. Suddenly I saw this Oriental Garden Lizard on top of the leaves and branches. Its dark brown coat was in stark contrast to the silvery leaves.
Oriental Garden Lizard is at the central point of this image
He did not move for some minutes and I managed to video him trying to snap at a passing insect (see video). Later, he moved further inside the plants.
HOOK This 13-year-old much loved by the young man who bought him as a puppy in Perth Australia. The dog is walked every morning for around an hour, but today, he just would not want to go out. He was very lethargic and laid down on his side, under the dining table as if he was "dying".
USE some 2-minute footage of the video below as hook.
His Body Condition Score 4/9 is good. Occasionally, he has this retching sound in the morning as if he tries to clear his throat. Appetite is excellent.
He goes for morning walks of half an hour daily for the past few months. However, on Nov 17, 2019, he was lethargic and recumbent under the dining table. He was OK yesterday after the walk.Nov 27, 2019.
Gatsby's blood tests showed slight anaemia and elevated liver enzymes. No bacteraemia and no fever. Monocytosis. Thrombocytosis.
Monocytes: High levels of monocytes may indicate the presence of chronic infection, an autoimmune or blood disorder, cancer, or other medical conditions.This may occur as a result of a virus or an infection, such as tuberculosis. It may also be linked to specific lymphomas and leukemias.
Monocytes
Monocytes are often found in higher numbers during a stress response and also during inflammation. They are involved in the immune response and remove dead and damaged cells as well as microorganisms.
Thrombocytosis is defined as increased number of circulating platelets.
Fundamental causes The fundamental causes responsible for thrombocytosis in dogs are:
It may be a temporary response to epinephrine release.
It may be a reaction to a disorder or disease in another part of the body e.g. liver disorder in Gatsby and slight anaemia in this dog.
It may be a sign of an underlying disease in the bone marrow e.g. blood cancers.
In some conditions, the spleen is present but either it does not function properly or it is shrunken and the total platelet count is sometimes increased in these conditions.
Some cancers can cause an increased total platelet count either by causing damage to tissues, causing blood loss or by erroneously producing a cytokine that stimulates the bone marrow to produce platelets.
“There are typically five types of white blood cells—neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils—that we look at in a leukon, which is a white blood cell profile,” . “Knowing the levels of each of these cells in the body helps us to understand what type of process might be going on.”
Liver disorder - ALT enzymes are above normal. X-rays show slight enlargement of the liver. Edges of liver are still sharp, not rounded as in severe liver disorder.
Total red cell count is low. Haemoglobin is on the low side of the range. Mild anaemia is present in Gatsby
Nov 27, 2019 Gatsby's X-rays
Heart is not enlarged. Retching usually in the morning could be due to clearing
of the throat or lungs of mucus. Nothing was vomited out.
No tumours or inflammation in the lungs
Liver is enlarged. Liver enzymes are elevated.
TREATMENT A cause of chronic inflammation would be the periodontal disease.
Periodontal disease in dogs is an inflammation or infection that results in the weakening or loss of support structures of the teeth. Periodontal disease happens when food and bacteria accumulate along the gums and form plaque, which turns into calculus (also known as tartar). ADVICES TO DOG OWNERS Give your dog chew toys and perhaps consider dog food specially formulated to address dental disease. You can also provide your pet with chew treats treated with enzymes that help reduce the formation of tartar and calculus. The chews do not take the place of brushing but is a great supplement and a treat for your pet. Yearly dental examination and scaling by your vet will help prevent periodontal disease.
In this case, the dog had dental scaling some 4 months ago, but no tooth brushing. The periodontal disease is now present. OUTCOME
Many old dogs do suffer from heart diseases. The signs include retching, coughing after waking up, loss of energy and stamina during walks, short of breath and lethargy. X-rays of a serious case of heart disease in a Shih Tzu are as follows:
The heart is much enlarged
Fluid due to heart failure is present in the lungs. Hence the lungs are black as in a normal dog (see Gatsby's normal lungs).
Iron tablets and heart medication to help the heart were given. The dog recovers his normal self 2 days later. He goes for his morning walk, has good appetite and barks when strangers come to the door.
UPDATE:
Gatsby was on heart medication. He led a normal life and would walk when taken out. In 26 May 2023, Gatsby died in his sleep at the age of 17 years. He was cremated. The life span of a Bichon Frise is said to be 12 - 15 years. Gatsby lived to a ripe old age.
INTRODUCTION
2 RECENT CASES IN 2019
1. The 13-year-old Jack Russell
2. The 15-year-old Miniature Schnauzer
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1. The 13-year-old Jack Russell
Case of the Jack Russell with a large ulcerated mammary tumour. Surgical excision showed other nodules have had spread along the thigh. The owner was advised on X-rays of the lungs to check for metastasis.
Nov 14, 2019. Pre-op. Tumour is severely infected and filled with pus.
Blood Test. The dog has leucocytosis and
neutrophilia indicating a bacterial infection as shown in the blood test
Total White Cell Count 24.0 x10^9/L (normal = 6 - 17)
Neutrophils 92.3% (normal = 60 - 70%)
Neutrophils Absolute 22.15 x 10^9/L (normal = 3-11.5).
Platelet count is normal.
Nov 15, 2019. Surgery. Mastectomy of left 5th mammary gland.
Get more pre- and operation images from Hsu
Nov 17, 2019. Video of dog after post-op. It shows the dog has recovered from anaesthesia and is eating. She went home after 5 days of in-patient treatment.
OUTCOME
Dec 5, 2019. Dr Sing phoned owner. Dog is OK but wound has stitch breakdown.
Owner cleans the wound and will WhatsApp image of wound later. Dr Sing advised the owner
to bring the dog in for check-up of the wound.
TIPS AND ADVICES
1. Spay your female dog when she is young. Spayed female dogs rarely develop mammary gland tumours. Spaying your female dog at 1 year of age would have prevented mammary gland tumours as more than 90% do not develop mammary tumours.
2. Early detection and removal is best for the dog and the owner. A mammary tumour becomes infected and itchy. The dog licks it daily, leading to the soiling of the floor of the residence. By that time, surgery is needed as in the above two cases.
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2. The 15-year-old Miniature Schnauzer
Check blood test results Operation image
Similar advices as for Jack Russell.
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OTHER IMAGES
