the-vet-life

[the-vet-life]

Listen, you need to stop sending me all these pet death stories. I know you’re doing it because even now there’s this need for a sympathetic ear, and believe me I read them all and I do sympathize, but I am flooded, even with anonymous asks turned off. I can’t post and respond to them all. I euthanised three pets in the last 24 hours, and returning to dozens of more pet death stories takes a toll.

But tweets and posts like those above clearly cause a lot of hurt, fresh grief and fear, with pain reaching far beyond those that simply share them for some kind of shock factor, as those reduced to tears retreat into whatever dark space they find themselves in.

I can’t argue against a viral post at every place it appears, but if you know somebody is hurting I offer you my response instead, even if it’s only to copy-paste a reply if your own words are failing you.

We can take away the pain of our pets, and in doing so shoulder that pain ourselves. There is no need to make that pain worse for each other with attention grabbing over-exaggerations. Even if these posts were not meant to harm, they do.

Caption reads:

If you could take away the suffering of one you love and shoulder that pain yourself, would you? We are privileged to be able to do this for our pets, but the pain we carry with us as a result lasts a long time, and careless words can reopen those wounds in an instant. Most pets at euthanasia are not ‘frantically seeking’ their owners. Most are so sick that they barely register what’s going on, and some are sedated. But if the owner is not there, they all get a cuddle or a treat and are told how very good and how very loved they are, cradled by a vet nurse as they drift into a permanent sleep. We have our favorite patients too. Sometimes they get an apology that we could not save them. Take it from this vet: we’re here because we want to minimize pain and suffering. That includes at the very end. That should include the people who have loved and cared for those pets too  

[the-vet-life]

Every New Appointment Ever

“Dog has spot on his neck that seems painful, has been there for years but now bleeds. Also having bloody diarrhea and vomiting. Owner thinks teeth are rotten due to sugar in dog food. RDVM dx with hypothyroidism but hadn’t had labs in 7 years, O wants more medication. Also discuss flatulence and why dog cries at night. O has severe financial concerns. Also nail trim.”

#Truth #veterinary medicine #vet care #vet

[the-vet-life]

Just wanted to add, from personal experience, cat scratch disease is no fun. I had an enlarged cervical lymph node for 2 months, which spread to my axillary lymph nodes. I also had severe migraines for months, and had polyarthritis. The doctors and I were freaking out about lymphoma and did so many tests up until a infectious disease specialist ran a full viral profile of everything. It was mere luck that I tested negative to everything else (including mononucleosis and cytomegalovirus!) that made the diagnosis of CSD so clear to my doctor.

Cat Scratch Disease

The colloquial name for bartonellosis, cat scratch disease (CSD) typically caused by the bacterium, Bartonella henselae, is possibly the most mischaracterized description for any disease out there. Yes; scratches from cats that carry Bartonella spp. can cause bartonellosis in humans, but the name does not identify the actual vector source, namely – cat fleas. In fact, insects are the primary vectors of many Bartonella bacteria that infect humans. For example, Bartonella quintana causes trench fever and spreads through body lice. Bartonella bacilliformis causes Carrión’s disease and is transmitted through certain sand flies in parts of South America.

It is also fascinating that each of these forms of bartonellosis can produce a skin reaction in humans. Trench fever causes a rash along with fevers and headaches. Phase two of Carrión’s disease creates lesions to appear under the skin as nodular growths, then emerge from the skin as red-to-purple vascular lesions that are prone to ulceration and bleeding. CSD can cause pustules in humans.

What about CSD symptoms in cats?

It is estimated that 40% of cats have Bartonella bacteria at some point in their lives. However, although the majority of infected cats are asymptomatic, they are subclinical carriers of CSD. If the disease progresses in cats, it is usually self-limiting (heals on its own) and transient, lasting approximately 48-72 hours. Extremely rare instances of more serious infection include symptoms such as  fever, vomiting, lethargy, red eyes, swollen lymph nodes, and/or decreased appetite.

By the way, cats and dogs can be infected with other Bartonella strains besides CSD, and dogs can also be infected with CSD. Specifically regarding CSD, dogs are more likely to present clinical symptoms as compared to cats, namely, fever, endocarditis and myocarditis, granulomatous lymphadenitis, cardiac arrhythmias, granulomatous rhinitis and epistaxis.  

How do cats transmit CSD to humans?

Always remember that cat fleas are essential to transmit CSD to humans. B. henselae multiplies in a flea’s digestive tract. When the flea defecates, B. henselae bacteria will then survive for several days. So, when cats scratch their bodies and subsequently scratch someone, the person could now be infected with CSD. If a cat grooms and then bites someone, the same result is possible. Additionally, CSD transmission can occur if a flea infested cat licks an open wound.

CSD symptoms in humans

Please bear in mind that CSD in humans is usually self-limiting and progresses slowly. In fact, doctors only test for CSD when the disease is severe, and suspect s CSD based on the patient’s symptoms, medical history and immune system. Otherwise, CSD is typically not treated in healthy people.

After the skin is broken, infection can occur at the site of the scratch within 3-14 days. The site may appear swollen and red, have round lesions and be pus-filled. Fever could also be present as well as headache and poor appetite. Again, it is self-limiting the majority of the time.

If the disease progresses, a person’s lymph node(s) closest to the original scratch or bite can become swollen, tender, or painful.

Only in extremely rare cases does the disease progress to affect the brain, eyes, heart, liver or other internal organs. This is more likely to happen in children or people who are severely immunocompromised or have cancer. Regarding immunocompromised patients, their bodies usually cannot keep the bacteria contained to their regional lymph nodes, thereby allowing to spread to other parts of the body.  

Incidence of CSD in humans

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published a review of cases from 2005-2013.

13,273 patients with a diagnosis of CSD: 12,735 outpatients and 538 inpatients.

Highest average annual CSD incidence for outpatients and inpatients was among children 5–9 years of age.

The largest proportion of diagnoses was made during January, followed by August–November.

Incidence was highest from Texas to Florida, Maryland and Kentucky being the most northern states affected.

Incidence was lowest in the more arid Mountain states.

Clearly, the statistical evidence shows a direct correlation between climate and flea load, which indicates the number of people who might be at risk to develop CSD.

Prevention

Are you thinking you may want to have your cat declawed now? Please don’t. The CDC recommends washing the infected area after the scratching or biting incident occurred. If a child’s symptoms do develop, please go to your healthcare provider. Indeed, declawed cats are four times more likely to bite if they perceive danger. So, the chances of preventing CSD with the declawing option are really not decreased, and may create the opposite situation of increased exposure risk.

The CDC goes on to state for people who are immunocompromised:

If you’re HIV-positive, are being treated for cancer, or have any other condition that might disrupt your immune system, you can keep your cat. Just keep the following points in mind:

Keep the cat indoors.

Avoid rough play with cats and situations in which scratches are likely. Declawing is not recommended.

Promptly wash any cat scratches or bites with soap and water.

Avoid contact with fleas.

Treat the cat with a flea control product recommended by your veterinarian.

It’s not necessary to test or treat a healthy cat for Bartonella.

If you are getting a cat, make sure it’s at least a year old, in good health, and free of fleas (kittens are more likely to carry B. henselae). Avoid stray cats and cats with flea infestations.

New findings include the fact that ticks may also carry the B. henselae bacteria too. So, it really all comes down to flea and tick prevention.

W. Jean Dodds, DVM Hemopet / NutriScan 11561 Salinaz Avenue Garden Grove, CA 92843

References

Bartonella Infection (Cat Scratch Disease, Trench Fever, and Carrión’s Disease). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 21 Mar. 2016, http://www.cdc.gov/bartonella/index.html.

Chomel, Bruno, et al. “Bartonella Spp. in Pets and Effect on Human Health.” Emerging Infectious Diseases, vol. 12, no. 3, Mar. 2006, pp. 389–394., doi: https://10.3201/eid1203.050931.

Hofve, Jean. The Cat Lover’s Anti-Declawing Handbook. Vetwise Publishing, 2017, http://www.littlebigcat.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/ADAH-2018.pdf.

Martell-Moran, Nicole, et al. “Pain and Adverse Behavior in Declawed Cats.” Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, vol. 20, no. 4, 1 Apr. 2018, pp. 280–288., doi: https://doi.org/10.1177/1098612X17705044.

Nelson, Christina, et al. “Cat-Scratch Disease in the United States, 2005–2013.” Emerging Infectious Diseases, vol. 22, no. 10, Oct. 2016, doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.3201/eid2210.160115

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[the-vet-life]

Hey, I really am curious about your opinion in homeopathy, I'm from germany and at both vets I have been working so far some homeopathic remedies were given, even with an effect in some cases. From school I even know that it's the case at most vets around so that's really surprising to me. Is homeopathy something you don't support in any way and is that more of the standard in australia?

I get a lot of questions about why I am so anti-homeopathy (my views being reflected by basically every major medical institution internationally) which really surprises me, honestly. I can only assume it’s because people don’t actually know what homeopathy is, believing it to encompass all types of alternative, ‘natural’, hollistic type treatments, when it’s not the case. Homeopathy is a very specific practice.

So rather than tell you what to think, which is something i generally avoid trying to do, I’ve made a video for you in which I make Homeopathic Food Dye and discuss the practice. I treat the practice as fairly as I possibly can, and you can draw your own conclusions.

[the-vet-life]

This puppy broke her foot when her owner was trying to shut the crate door before she was fully inside the crate. It required two surgical pins to stabilise, and she is on the road to recovery now.

Mid-diaphyseal fractures on metacarpal II, III, and IV in a 3 month old Pomeranian. Any guesses as to how this happened?

[the-vet-life]

I have a 16 year old dog who is generally a happy, healthy boy save for the onset of kidney problems, and it scares me how many lay people hear about this and immediately jump down my throat about his diet. I should point out I am a vet tech and have done 2 semesters on small practice nutrition. He will happily eat Science Diet k/d wet and dry food along with boiled chicken and rice twice a day, there is no need to guilt me about how I can’t spend hours cooking a balanced kidney friendly diet by myself!

For the tax, have pics of the old boy plus a flock of soft release lorikeets from my wires work

Sometimes I think laypeople have so many opinions on nutrition because it’s something they think they understand completely. I wouldn’t worry about it if what you’re doing it working for your old boy.

[the-vet-life]

Mid-diaphyseal fractures on metacarpal II, III, and IV in a 3 month old Pomeranian. Any guesses as to how this happened?

#vet #veterinary #dog #puppy #xray #radiology #orthopaedics #veterinary medicine #vetblr #vetblog #bones

[the-vet-life]

This puppy was castrated on the same day, as he also had abdominal cryotorchidism.

Hip dysplasia in a 10 month old Golden Retriever. Parents were apparently hip scored!

[the-vet-life]

Uhh, that's exactly why I'm scared, not pumped! Like, what will I get this time, a cute little possum, or a raging ibis that has a human eye collection?

I love when wildlife comes in because it always comes in a box and you have no idea what it is until you open it like it could be a tiny baby bird or a frog or a giant raptor or anything and you get to help make them feel better like that’s so exciting??? How do people not get pumped up when the receptionist brings a box out the back I don’t get it

[the-vet-life]

Hip dysplasia in a 10 month old Golden Retriever. Parents were apparently hip scored!

#vetblr #vet #radiography #radiology #xray #thevetlife #goldenretriever #hipdysplasia #orthopaedics

[the-vet-life]

Enzymes - clinical chemistry

ALP: 

Present in liver, bone, intestine, kidney, neutrophils and placenta. 

80% originates from bone. 

If GGT up, ALP from liver. 

If GGT normal, ALP from bones. 

ALP rises with obstruction to the biliary tract. 

ALT: 

Most present in the liver, but also found in other tissues. 

Very high levels suggest, viral hepatitis, diabetes, congestive heart failure, liver damage, bile duct problems, infectious mononucleosis or myopathy.

AST: 

Present in liver, heart, skeletal muscle, kidneys, pancreas, lungs, leukocytes and erythrocytes. 

Increased levels may indicate haemolytic anaemia, rhabdomyolysis, increased leucocyte count etc

Distinction in source can be made via CK and Troponin. 

AST<ALT = hepatic injury

AST>ALT = hepatocyte necrosis - poor prognosis (AST is found in the mitochondria, not spilled out until severe destruction) - CONSIDER MUSCLE SOURCE

AST:ALT Ratio: 

Greater than 2 = Hepatitis.

Less than 2= cholestatic disorder.

GGT: 

Found in both hepatocytes and biliary epithelial cells. 

Sensitive for hepatobiliary disease. 

5 times increase = good marker of alcohol abuse.

GST (Gluthathione S-transferase):

 Isoenzymes of GST are involved in the detoxification and conjugation of several electrophilic compounds with glutathione. 

Found to be a very good marker of acute hepatocellular damage with a half life of 90min. Not widely used.

CK: 

Found in heart, brain, skeletal muscle and other tissue. 

Released when muscle damage. 

Causes range from exercise injury to hormonal disorders.

LDH: 

Found in muscles, liver, heart, pancreas, kidneys, brain and blood cells. 

Used to used to diagnose and monitor heart attacks. 

Five types of isoenzymes can help determine location of damage. 

LDH-1 - heart, red cells, kidney, germ cells. 

LDH-2 - heart, red blood cells, kidney (lesser amounts than LDH-1).

LDH-3 - lungs and other tissues. 

LDH-4 - white blood cells, lymph nodes; muscle, liver (smaller amounts than LDH-5).

LDH-5 - liver, muscle.

Troponin: 

Highly specific marker for myocardial infarction or muscle cell death. 

Also used to diagnose other conditions which relate to cardiac muscle injury.

Lipase: 

Found in blood, gastric juices, pancreatic secretions, intestinal juices and adipose tissues.

Hydrolyses triglycerides  

Acute pancreatitis, pancreatic neoplasia, pancreatic abscesses, and pancreatic duct obstruction can result in high levels of lipase and usually are 2 to 3 times the upper limit of normal.

Amylase: 

Is made by the pancreas and by the glands in and around the mouth/throat. 

Catalyses hydrolysis of starch 

High amylase may indicate the presence of a condition affecting the pancreas. 

In acute pancreatitis the levels are 4-6 times normal and remains high until treated. 

Chronic pancreatitis, levels will be high but will decrease until problem is solved.

Acid phosphatase: 

Prostate cancer - raised in 80% of cases presenting with metastases. 

[the-vet-life]

Cutest baby ever!

#thevetlife #vetblr #biscuit #dog #cockerspaniel #cocker spaniel

[the-vet-life]

The first time I ever diagnosed a hermaphrodite!

#vet #vetblr #hermaphrodite #veterinary #puppy #reproduction

[the-vet-life]

What country are you in?

Australia :)

[the-vet-life]

#new year resolutions #2017

[the-vet-life]

Patreon|Twitter

#2017 #new year

[the-vet-life]

Hello, i am an aspiring vet student but i am just not very smart (below average inteligence) Do you feel i can overcome this by studying or should i just give up?

Hi there, @i-might-be-an-unicorn!

Being book smart is important, but perseverance and determination is just as important. It’s great that you have identified a weakness in your path to be a vet, so all you need to do is find ways to study smarter, not harder. Make friends in vet school, more brains are better than one. Talk to lecturers about problems that you have. Where there is a will, there is a way.

Good luck with your pursuit, and welcome to the industry!

#vetblr #vet #ask #study #studyblr #vetmed #vetschool