Saturday, February 8, 2020

4079. Raptors, eagles in Singapore

7 Feb 2020  14th day of CNY. Eve of Chap Goh Mei.

















-------------------------------------



INTERNET IMAGES

common buzzard 1

common buzzard 2

Add caption

Shikra

greater spotted eagle

goshawk


Friday, February 7, 2020

4078.. An old poodle loses weight and is hunched. Periodontitis, Kidney and Liver Disorder



HOOK
Have you ever suffered from toothaches? You feel a very painful sensation when you drink cold water or eat food. You need a dentist. Animals can't talk and may show different signs.



In one of my unusual signs, a Miniature Bull Terrier in 2008 had frequent seizures (3 images BELOW) for a few months as he jogged with his master.  Only after my extraction of the loose and decayed teeth did he live a normal life without fits!  He was able to continue his daily jog and the owner was very happy. 

This is a rare case of seizures caused by dental disease. Your older dog or cat will have bad breath, eat lesser amount of the dry food or eat just soft food. A common sign is weight loss (image) and moving his head away to prevent you examining his mouth. 




A TYPICAL CASE
In Feb this year, the owner of this 14-year-old male neutered poodle would want just vaccination for his dog every year as diseases like distemper, parvovirus and leptospirosis are still present in some dogs in Singapore. He would decline dental work and blood tests. A quickie vaccination and go home. 



Lethargic, scrawny and protruding spinal backbone




Weight loss and bad breath

"Your old dog is scrawnier this year," I told him. "His backbone spines are protruding. He is hunched as if he has abdominal pain. "He moves his head away when I try to open his mouth to examine his teeth and gums," I continued. "This is a sign of severe oral pain as he has been eating less every day."


Mr Tan got the news that his dog suffered from kidney and liver disorder (blood test results) after a blood test. 


"When can you do the dental work so that your dog can eat without mouth pain and put on weight?" I phoned Mr Tan as he did not phone us for any advices after knowing the blood test results.

"I know he has liver and kidney disorders as shown in his blood test," he said. "Will he die under general anaesthetic during dental work?"

"No vet can guarantee there will be no anaethestic risk," I explained to him. "Your dog has a strong normal heart and lungs. From my experience, if I use only isoflurane gas anaethesia and no IV sedation and have no deaths from this method. "

Mr Tan gave his consent. The dog had 4 bad teeth extracted and was awake within 5 minutes at the end of gas anaesthesia. My assistant opened his mouth and showed Mr Tan the white teeth. The dog has no objection to his mouth being opened this time. A special therapeutic diet called Hills K/D needs to be fed as it is formulated for liver and kidney disease. The dog should now gain weight and live longer with a good quality of life.   


ANAESTHESIA AND DENTAL WORK (video)

CONCLUSION
IT IS IMPORTANT FOR THE VET TO FOLLOW UP AS THE OLD DOG NEEDS HELP. The owner can then ask questions about the anaesthesia and be well informed of the risks. If he is assured of the chances of success, he will permit his dog to be given dental work. 


----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------




IMAGES TO BE USED 








Most dogs with bad teeth and gum infections will eat little as in the following case. The dog becomes very thin. He does not want his mouth to be opened, a sign of painful mouth as in this case study
Losing weight. One reason is oral pain due to dental disease.




This male neutered 14-year-old poodle came for his annual vaccination every year. I showed the protruding spinal backbone which stood out above the back. The dog washunched as if he was having abdominal pain (image).
He moved his head sideways and upwards as he objected to his mouth being opened by me - a sign of oral pain. Bad breath wafted from his mouth. The back teeth were encrusted with solid brown tartar.






BLOOD TEST
Abnormally high ALT, high urea and creatinine levels suggestive of a liver and kidney disorders.
Polydipsia (drinks a lot more) and polyuria (pees a lot more) are present, indicating liver and kidney disorders. A therapeutic diet, Hills K/D is recommended for such patients.


Lethargic, very thin and drinks a lot

Came for yearly vaccination. Now 14 years old.
Needed dental work. 

Thick tartar on teeth and inflamed gums indicating chronic gingivitis

MINIMISE ANAESTHETIC RISKS

Isoflurane gas at 3%. No sedatives IM or IV. This method is safer as it reduces the risk of death due to respiratory depression.  0.5 ml of furosemide IV given as the some lung sounds were present and the dog had a history of "asthmatic" attack occasionally.

VIDEO OF TOA PAYOH VETS OPERATING ROOM











Before dental work - Thick tartar and chronic gingivitis

White" teeth. One decayed tooth extracted (arrow)





















TIPS AND ADVICES

1.  He should be eating healthier diet. The Hills prescription diet is formulated for patients with  kidney and liver disorders.   


The dog will be reviewed every 6 monthly.

2. During annual vaccinations, some owners do not want dental work to lower the veterinary costs.
Early detection of dental disease, liver and kidney orders would enable the dog to live a longer life.

3.  The dog recovers fast from gas anaesthesia (video footage) and the owner is pleased with the "white" teeth.

VIDEO


Monday, February 3, 2020

4077. Reyna to edit video*****. Overgrown fronth teeth, molar spurs and jaw abscess in a guinea pig

https://2010vets.blogspot.com/2016/11/a-5-year-old-male-guinea-pig-has-large.html

Edit footage to give a concise account



--------------------------------















Overgrown  front teeth (incisors) had been trimmed. No images were taken, but the video shows
the process.







Extraction of the abscessed molars would be done 7 days later if the guinea pig is fit for anaesthesia.
I had drained and lanced the left jaw abscess. It was filled with foul-smelling pus.
The owner did not return for dental work.



--------------------------------------------
In December 2015, the guinea pig had overgrown incisors and molar spurs clipped short by Dr Sing Kong Yuen one year ago and had good appetite.  No dental X-rays were taken as the owner wanted the least cost.

From July - September 2016,  the father and son would bring the guinea pig to cut short the overgrown front teeth only every month. This was an inexpensive procedure compared to more detailed dental X-rays. The guinea pig would eat again.

But in Nov 8, 2016, they consulted me as the 5-year-old guinea pig was emaciated, anaemic and was not eating. There was a gigantic left jaw abscess. Two treatment options are available.

1. Marsupialisation - opening up a big hole, drain the abscess and stitch the mucosa (inside layer) of the abscess to the skin, creating an open wound. The wound can be flushed daily.
2. Remove the capsule of the encapsulated abscess. This would permit the pus to be drained

At Toa Payoh Vets, I incised and drain the abscess. The decayed molar tooth can be extracted when the guinea pig is in better health.  The owner has to return for this dental work. The owners did not return for follow-up.

In conclusion, three procedures are needed when the guinea pig has overgrown front teeth and is not eating and loses weight.
1. Physical examination for jaw abscess and dental malocclusion
2. Examination of molar spurs using the otoscope.
3. Skull X-rays, using oblique views to see the teeth.    

4076. Reyna to edit. How a male guinea pig is neutered in Toa Payoh Vets. To edit




4075. REYNA TO EDIT. A guinea pig has a swollen abdomen - gastric distension



bullied by being humped by sibling
Ileus

4074. ***Reyna: The guinea pig has become emaciated - malocclusion and dental abscess. DRAFT

DRAFT. Needs editing in 2020!



https://youtu.be/ilVZL7vJqP0
Edit the video to be educational. May be 5 or more than 15 minutes but edited. Best to split into Part 1 (history and diagnosis and Part 2 (treatment and outcome)




https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TskAWOfFPVw
Another similar video? Pl check.



-----------------------------------------

Video link


 The owner just wanted only clipping of the overgrown incisor teeth for the past 3 months at monthly intervals. Yet the guinea pig became thinner and lost weight. He came in Nov 8, 2016. l noted a left jaw abscess or dental abscess. Physical examination, otoscopic examination of the molars showed molar spurs and skull radiography showed lysis of left mandibular jaw bone - causing an abscess on the left jaws. Clipping of overgrown front teeth is much cheaper but the guinea pig suffered a more serious illness now, being emaciated. The owner agreed to X-rays and hospitalisation. This video shows Day 5 of hospitalisation. The molar spurs were trimmed. The abscess is still be flushed daily. Antibiotics, painkillers and SC and oral fluids daily. Ears cleaned. Nails clipped. The guinea pig now is active and pooping a lot. This guinea pig had never been groomed at all.








A 5-year-old guinea pig is emaciated and had stopped eating and pooping. For the past 3 months, around a month, the father and son would bring the pet for cutting short the front teeth. It was inexpensive. The guinea pig had overgrown molar spurs clipped short by Dr Sing Kong Yuen one year ago and had good appetite. Around 6 months later, the front teeth overgrew and so the owners decided on just asking the vet to clip the front teeth every month for the past 3-4 months. The guinea pig would then be able to eat. But in Nov 8, 2016, they consulted Dr Sing as the guinea pig was not eating and was very thin.




Video link



Very thin guinea pig. The owner had given him corn and he ate corn almost exclusively. Isoflurane gas anaesthesia by mask was given. The incisors were clipped short. A lower right molar spur is seen and videoed to show the owner.




Tues Dec 1, 2015. The guinea pig's front teeth had been clipped. To be thorough, the molars need to be examined. The right lower molar had overgrown to become a molar spur which is videoed for the owner's education. The molar spur is clipped under anaesthesia. The owner is to hand feed the guinea pig by hand and introduce the pellets and hay more than the corn pieces.


https://youtu.be/ilVZL7vJqP0
Some overlap of video creation. Check and let me know. 


5 days of hospitalization and treatment shown. Overgrown incisors trimmed, molar spurs trimmed. Guinea Pig resumes eating as there is no more oral pain and dental malocclusion Jaw abscess will be drained. X-ray of teeth is done.
-------------------------------------------




This 36-minute video has the left jaw abscess footrage!
In December 2015, the guinea pig had overgrown incisors and molar spurs clipped short by Dr Sing Kong Yuen one year ago and had good appetite. No dental X-rays were taken as the owner wanted the least cost. From July - September 2016, the father and son would bring the guinea pig to cut short the overgrown front teeth only as it was an inexpensive procedure compared to more detailed dental X-rays. The guinea pig would eat again. But in Nov 8, 2016, they consulted Dr Sing as the 5-year-old guinea pig was emaciated, anaemic and was not eating. There was a gigantic left jaw abscess. Two treatment options are available. 1. Marsupialisation - opening up a big hole, drain the abscess and stitch the mucosa (inside layer) of the abscess to the skin, creating an open wound. The wound can be flushed daily. 2. Remove the capsule of the encapsulated abscess. This would permit the pus to be drained At Toa Payoh Vets, I incised and drain the abscess. The decayed molar tooth can be extracted when the guinea pig is in better health. The owner has to return for this dental work. In conclusion, three procedures are needed when the guinea pig has overgrown front teeth and is not eating and loses weight. 1. Physical examination for jaw abscess and dental malocclusion 2. Examination of molar spurs using the otoscope. 3. Skull X-rays, using oblique views to see the teeth.











X-rays


jaw abscess




molar spurs

outcome of treatment

Advices: Proper diet of hay. Not solely corn 

The blog is here:



https://2010vets.blogspot.com/2016/11/a-5-year-old-male-guinea-pig-has-large.html


This blog does not show the complete situation. But use the script, edit it if you feel it is not good, to save time.  Make it Part 1 and Part 2. So it will not be so boring.









hook

The vet uses a rodent cheek dilator to open the mouth wide for examination
What did he see?  The lower cheek teeth (X) have overgrown excessively long!
Similarly with the upper cheek teeth


Swelling below the jaw - dental abscess. What happened?
X rays showed bone lysis - infection of the bone area  in the back cheek teeth











USE THESE UPDATED IMAGES









It will be very difficult to diagnose properly without
an X-ray

X-rays are necessary for dental diseases. There is lysis (breakdown of the bone due to infection) of
the mandible (lower jaw) as shown by the dark areas in the roots, below the cheek teeth. 



Anatomy - the adult GP has 20 teeth
















Gas anaesthesia without injectable sedatives were much less risky for emaciated
guinea pigs. A gas mask Is used and careful monitoring by the 
assistant is required.  


cheek dilator spreads out the cheeks. Molar cutter trims the excessive length of the
premolars and molars




Narrate and explain the uses of each piece of equipment




Molar spurs are the excessive length of the premolars and molars. The molar cutter trims the
molars. Without the sharp spurs, the guinea pig is able to chew his food normally and put on weight