A case study is shown.
A large tumour requires more anaesthetic and takes a longer time for surgery. This increases the risk of anaesthetic death. In this case, the pet rat survives and is OK at home.
Monday, June 5, 2017
3082. A pet rat has a large mammary tumour. What to do?
It is best to get the pet rat's tumour removed by your vet when it is much smaller.
A case study is shown.
A case study is shown.
Friday, June 2, 2017
3081. Slipped disc in a 9-year-old, female intact Miniature Schnauzer
Jun 1, 2017
Miniature Schnauzer became paralysed on hind legs yesterday. Vet 1 did X-rays (below) and showed "slipped disc". Prescribed meloxicam for 4 days.
Owner was a vet nurse and consulted me for second opinion. I did the spinal palpation (pain from between shoulder blade area to middle of back) , placing and pedal reflexes and pinched the toes.
Prognosis is not so good as there is no reaction to the pinching of toes of the back legs and needle pricking of skin behind the groin to the paws of back area. Poor reflex seen on left front paw. .
X-RAYS
IVDD at lumber 4 and 5.
Spurs seen in these 2 vertebrae.
BLOOD TEST
June 2, 2017.
1. No bacterial infection as total white cell count and neutrophils ae within normal range.
2, No anaemia. Platelet count 1852 (200-500) is very high with platelet clumping noted and large platelets seen.
Large platelets are abnormal and the cause may be genetic, traumatic or auto-immune disease such as immune thrombocytopenic purpura (in this case, platelet count is low and not high as in this case).
3. Glucose 2.5 (3.9-6) is low. May be due to stress and painful slipped disc.
4. Kidney and bone/joint function normal
5. Liver has elevated AST but normal ALT. May be due to stress and pain.
Blood test to be done 4 weeks later.
DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS
Fracture, dislocation in the spinal area, neoplasia, bony spurs, herniated disc (slipped disc).
DIAGNOSIS
IVDD L4-L5 causing paraplegia
TREATMENT
CONCLUSION
IVDD
It is possible that the dog had fallen down from the steps as the painful area is extensive, from behind the shoulder blades to mid-lumbar area. The bony spurs may or may not cause IVDD.
VIDEO
Miniature Schnauzer became paralysed on hind legs yesterday. Vet 1 did X-rays (below) and showed "slipped disc". Prescribed meloxicam for 4 days.
Owner was a vet nurse and consulted me for second opinion. I did the spinal palpation (pain from between shoulder blade area to middle of back) , placing and pedal reflexes and pinched the toes.
Prognosis is not so good as there is no reaction to the pinching of toes of the back legs and needle pricking of skin behind the groin to the paws of back area. Poor reflex seen on left front paw. .
X-RAYS
IVDD at lumber 4 and 5.
Spurs seen in these 2 vertebrae.
BLOOD TEST
June 2, 2017.
1. No bacterial infection as total white cell count and neutrophils ae within normal range.
2, No anaemia. Platelet count 1852 (200-500) is very high with platelet clumping noted and large platelets seen.
Large platelets are abnormal and the cause may be genetic, traumatic or auto-immune disease such as immune thrombocytopenic purpura (in this case, platelet count is low and not high as in this case).
3. Glucose 2.5 (3.9-6) is low. May be due to stress and painful slipped disc.
4. Kidney and bone/joint function normal
5. Liver has elevated AST but normal ALT. May be due to stress and pain.
Blood test to be done 4 weeks later.
DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS
Fracture, dislocation in the spinal area, neoplasia, bony spurs, herniated disc (slipped disc).
DIAGNOSIS
IVDD L4-L5 causing paraplegia
TREATMENT
1. Surgery and MRI. In USA, MRI $2,500.Surgery US $5.000-7,500. Surgery to be done within first few days as early as possible. It is doubtful there are experienced vet surgeons in Singapore with sufficient number of cases to refer to.
2. Conservative treatment in this case
2.1 Cage rest 3 months and pain medication.
2.2 Therapy - sling to walk on front legs and try standing on hind legs. Owner will purchase online a wheelchair from China, arriving on Jun 13, 2017.
2.3 Carry to grass as dog will not eliminate indoors. Dog pees and poops on Jun 3, 2017.
2.4 Clean back area after urination and defeacation.
2.5 Turn him on sides every 4 hours to prevent bed sores. Sternal recumbency (rest on chest area instead of lying sideway) means recovering well.
2.6. Painkillers when needed esp. first week.
2.7. Lactulose to loosen stools and prevent constipation.
2.8. Good quality food with high fibres and neurobion.
2.2 Therapy - sling to walk on front legs and try standing on hind legs. Owner will purchase online a wheelchair from China, arriving on Jun 13, 2017.
2.3 Carry to grass as dog will not eliminate indoors. Dog pees and poops on Jun 3, 2017.
2.4 Clean back area after urination and defeacation.
2.5 Turn him on sides every 4 hours to prevent bed sores. Sternal recumbency (rest on chest area instead of lying sideway) means recovering well.
2.6. Painkillers when needed esp. first week.
2.7. Lactulose to loosen stools and prevent constipation.
2.8. Good quality food with high fibres and neurobion.
CONCLUSION
IVDD
It is possible that the dog had fallen down from the steps as the painful area is extensive, from behind the shoulder blades to mid-lumbar area. The bony spurs may or may not cause IVDD.
VIDEO
Tuesday, May 30, 2017
3080. A pet mouse has a black-spotted red tumour excised.
This approximately 1-year-old pet mouse was one of 3 adopted by the young lady 2 weeks ago.
The female mouse had a large subcutaneous tumour. Anaesthesia by isoflurane gas was needed before a very low dose (0.01ml) of Zoletil 100 IM. Maintenance by gas. Tumour was excised. 4 stitches using 5/0 nylon. The pet mouse goes home on the same day.
Sunday, May 28, 2017
3079. A 1.5-year-old Syrian hamster has a 71g tumour
Sunday May 28 2017
A pair cream Syrian hmasters produced 5. 3 were eaten by the mum.
Some mths ago, the dam had a large right neck tumour 70% size of a golf ball. Operated by Dr Daniel and now Ok.
A pair cream Syrian hmasters produced 5. 3 were eaten by the mum.
Some mths ago, the dam had a large right neck tumour 70% size of a golf ball. Operated by Dr Daniel and now Ok.
Friday, May 26, 2017
Thursday, May 25, 2017
3077. A 10-year-old Maltese has difficulty breathing, coughs a lot and cannot lie down overnight
Congestive heart failure - left ventricle failure leading to pulmonary edema as seen in the X-rays.
Dog had high white cell count and neutrophils. T=37.6 deg C which is below normal.
Oxygen therapy, IV furesmide to clear pulmonary edema. The dog had bacteraemia.
Dog had high white cell count and neutrophils. T=37.6 deg C which is below normal.
Oxygen therapy, IV furesmide to clear pulmonary edema. The dog had bacteraemia.
Saturday, May 20, 2017
3076. A 1.5-year-old hamster's tumour grows bigger and bigger fast. How Toa Payoh Vets remove a tumour.
May 20, 2017
Hamster owners in Singapore do surf the internet to look for hamster vets to operate on the pet's tumours as illustrated in this case. "The tumour was small at first," the young man said. "But the vet did not do any surgery even when it grows fast."
Hamster owners in Singapore do surf the internet to look for hamster vets to operate on the pet's tumours as illustrated in this case. "The tumour was small at first," the young man said. "But the vet did not do any surgery even when it grows fast."
This tumour is large at 1.5 cm x 1.5 cm x 1.0 cm. Therefore the anaesthetic risks are much higher as it takes a longer time to operate as compared to a small one at 0.5 cm. All was OK as the hamster recovered and went home.
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