16 October 2011

Case 1:

What should a vet do if a puppy that was recently purchased was brought in with complaints of blood in stools?

First few questions we should ask the owners are:

1. When is the onset of the blood in the stools?
2. When is the puppy vaccinated?
3. When did the breeder sell the puppy to the pet shop?
4. When did the pet shop sell off the puppy to the owner?

What the vet should consider:

1. Possible infections or reasons for the problem?
2. Type of tests to look into to find out, or rule out the possible reasons
3. Meanwhile, what should be done to the puppy

My mentor walked me through the case. Firstly, we need to find out the history of the puppy before it was purchased by owner and when the symptom was discovered.

1st Vaccination	13.09.11	Breeder in charge
2nd Vaccination	27.09.11	Pass on to Pet shop
3rd Vaccination	Due on 27.10.11	Owner’s responsibility
Date of purchase	09.10.11
Blood found in stools	15.09.11

Troubleshooting starts by stating the possible reasons for having blood in stools in puppies. Could it be a simple intestinal problem? Or bigger problem like parvovirus infection (Prone in puppies without complete dose of vaccination)? How did the vet think that it is parvovirus infection? According to the history, the puppy is moved from the breeder’s ground to the pet shop before the second vaccination shot was given. Puppy might pick up the virus during transport.

In order to rule out the possibility of being infected by parvovirus, a quick and simple canine parvovirus Antigen test kit was used by testing it with some blood samples. Result was revealed within minutes and showed negative for virus antigen.

So what can be the factor that causes the symptoms? Another blood sample was taken, this time it was sent for a more complete blood test. This test will focus on the cellular level, showing the activity of the immune cells.

Meanwhile, the puppy is required to be hospitalized. In order to re-hydrate the puppy, it was fed with oral electrolytes by syringe; twice a day. Furthermore, to prevent bacteria infection, it was given antibiotics and also multi-vitamins to boost its immune system.

Awaiting blood test results

Puppy under observation in the clinic



Medication provided

Short case of overgrowth frontal teeth of hamsters

A small procedure was done to alleviate the eating problem of the hamsters.



Front view of the teeth



Side view; more obvious cave-in of teeth towards the upper palette



Clippings of teeth after removal



Case 2:

An old dog (8-9 years old) was spotted with swollen paws with dry, scaly skin with the lack of hair coat. Ear edge was found to be crusty.

Possible problems:

1. Scabies mite infection
2. Fungus infection

Solutions:

1. Fur was plucked and analyzed on microscope slide for signs of mites
2. Inflammation injection was given to reduce symptoms on paws

Case 3:

On 11^th September, I met this client whom presented the dog to the vet with the complaint of fits. The pug was sent home with the idea that there is bacteria infection. Recently, the pug returned to the clinic with the same complaint.

History of the fit occurring as follows:

1^st fit occurred during hospitalization after urinary bladder stones removal

2^nd and 3^rd fit occurred at home

Another episode of fit (4^th) lasted 3-4mins on Thursday night (13.10.11)

Current 2 episodes appeared the day after on Friday night (14.10.11), which happens within an hour

Majority of the causes of fits are unknown, may be a metabolic cause, hereditary or induced by food. Need further analysis to rule out those possible reasons.

Admin work completed:

1)     Made electronic copies of bank statements for December 2010 for Toa Payoh Vets

Working hours:

9.45am- 5.30pm