Pet of the Month Archive

Blood was drawn, x-rays were taken, subcutaneous fluids were administered (for dehydration). Tinker was sent home to await the laboratory results. The following day offered some answers…Tinker’s blood sugar was high, indicating Diabetes Mellitus. His condition was confirmed with a urinalysis that showed glucose in his urine. He began a course of insulin injections and glucose curves and urine tests and diet changes and hospitalization. Over the next few months, his insulin doses changed frequently--this is quite common when animals are first diagnosed with Diabetes Mellitus.

In January 2007, the doctors were still having difficulty determining the best insulin dose for Tinker. By mid-January, Tinker’s complaints had changed: he now seemed painful, but the doctors were unable to exactly pinpoint the origin of the pain. He just seemed to be uncomfortable and was reluctant to be touched or picked up. His owner thought that perhaps his back legs were hurting him, and he was brought back on January 25^th for a complete leg exam. Painful he was!! He was given anti-inflammatories and pain medication and x-rays were taken of his left hind leg. Nothing obvious showed up on the x-ray except mild arthritis; his leg was then shaved and we discovered bruising and severe swelling of his knee!! Poor Tinker! Further testing revealed septic arthritis-a bacterial infection in his joint. He was sent home with an arsenal of antibiotics to fight the painful infection. At his recheck appointment, we noted an excellent response to the medication and a dramatic improvement in his condition.

Most recently, Tinker underwent dental surgery, which included a general anesthetic, teeth cleaning and unfortunately, several extractions. Just as with people, Tinker’s gums were “frozen” with lidocaine to help manage his discomfort after his extractions; as luck would have it, our little Tinker bit his tongue once he got home and had to have yet another anesthetic to repair the laceration!! Fortunately, it hasn’t marred his big, handsome face.

Today, Tinker is doing well. His insulin battles continue, but for those of you living with a diabetic, you know it can be a winding road. He comes in regularly to have his blood sugars checked; his mouth has healed well and he’s maneuvering well on all his legs.

Tinker’s lovable nature makes our jobs easier. Being subjected to countless needles to collect blood isn’t pleasant, but our geriatric kitty rarely complains. He likes to chat-we definitely hear him when he’s hungry! He will be taking advantage of our boarding facilities next week; this time, his stay will include catnip dreams only…no surgery!!

Spencer became a patient with us in May 2005. Brought in for annual vaccines and bloodwork, Spencer appeared to be a healthy senior. His blood results showed that he was hypothyroid (whereas cats are usually hyperthyroid) and was sent home with thyroid medication. His blood
levels are monitored every 4-6 months for any changes.

Months went by. In January 2006, Spencer came in squinting. Tests revealed he had a corneal ulcer and was sent home with some antibiotics. Shortly thereafter, he was back limping. Radiographs revealed he had hip dysplasia and was sent home with more medication to help manage his pain and discomfort (Metacam). Spencer was becoming a regular at the hospital!!!

June 2006 arrived and with it came Spencer!! This time, his condition was much more serious. He had lost weight, was urinating in the house, was lethargic and was drinking more. Blood tests were ordered and we discovered that our beloved Spencer had Diabetes Mellitus, a condition where his blood sugar is too high. Insulin injections were now a part of his drug regimen. His blood sugar levels were checked regularly in order to manage his insulin doses; unfortunately, Spencer’s blood levels were a challenge to regulate and his owner often had to change the amount of insulin he was receiving.

·Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV)
·Feline Immunodifficiency Virus (FIV)
·Kidney disease or other endocrine diseases
·Panleukopenia; Erlichia; Toxoplasmosis
·Toxicity (poisoning)
·Bone marrow cancer
·Malnutrition
·Bone marrow damage (aplastic anemia; red blood cell aplasia)

Tristan was tested for both FeLV and FIV and thankfully both results were negative. In order to rule out bone marrow cancer, Tristan was anesthetized and cells were extracted from the bone marrow in his pelvis; these cells were sent for analysis at the University of Guelph. In the meantime, he was sent home with a steroid to help boost his immune system and increase his appetite while we waited for the laboratory results.

Within a few days, we had an answer: Tristan had a condition known as Aplastic Anemia. Bone marrow produces blood cells; with this condition, the body fails to produce new blood cells. Although we now had an answer for the Gambles family, we did not, however, have a cause. With some animals, several medications are needed to maintain and produce more blood cells. Fortunately for Tristan, he has so far been doing well on a regimen of only steroids. His blood is currently being monitored weekly for any changes.

Tristan was only hospitalized for a few days, but it didn’t take that long before he found his way into our hearts. His calm disposition and loving nature made our work so much easier. Even after a difficult day, he could still manage a purr and a head butt for those who looked after his recovery. Although Tristan may not yet be completely out of danger, we continue to think positively and wish him and his family only healthy days ahead.

An x-ray of Bonnie’s bladder confirmed the diagnosis. She underwent surgery to remove the stones from her bladder and the stones were sent to a laboratory to be analyzed. The results showed that the stones were comprised of both Calcium Oxalate and Struvite -- a difficult and unique situation! Struvite bladder stones can often be dissolved by diet and medication (this can take weeks to months), whereas Calcium Oxalate cannot and must be removed surgically. Bonnie was placed on a special diet and given medication to help prevent the reoccurrence of these stones. She came to the hospital regularly to have her urine tested and for months responded very well to treatment…more on this later!

In October, Bonnie came in to have her right eye examined. Poor girl had developed a deep corneal ulcer (a “hole” in the cornea of her eye) and had to go home with some eye medication. A week later, Bonnie came back for a recheck; unfortunately, she was not responding to the eye medications and her ulcer had worsened. She was quickly referred to an ophthalmologist where she underwent surgery to repair the ulcer.

**If your cat or dog is exhibiting any signs of an eye infection (e.g. squinting, discharge from eye, rubbing at eye, swelling, redness) you should see your veterinarian as soon as possible**

Poor Bonnie! Two surgical procedures in less than 3 months! Healing a corneal ulcer takes a long time and Bonnie continues to have medication instilled every day. Her eye is monitored regularly at the specialist’s -- so far, so good.

Back to Bonnie’s bladder stones! As part of her ongoing care, we routinely tested her urine for any signs of crystals. In February of this year, another bladder x-ray was taken and her urine was rechecked. The results?? BLADDER STONES!! This time, however, we were able to remove the stones using a method called voiding urohydropropulsion, thereby avoiding the need to perform another surgery on her bladder. This method involves inserting a larger catheter into the bladder via the urethra (don’t worry, Bonnie was anesthetized!), filling the bladder with a sterile solution and allowing gravity to pull the stones out. Thanks to her owners’ watchful eyes, her relapse was caught early as the stones were in the very early stages of development. Had the stones been any larger, this method would not have been an option. Bonnie recovered quickly from her procedure and went home the next day.

Currently, we are awaiting the stone analysis results. Bonnie continues eating her special food and taking her medication. Her owners dote on her: anything Bonnie needs, Bonnie gets and rightly so. She is a wonderful girl, always happy and looking for attention. If Bonnie’s tail isn’t wagging, you know something is wrong! We wish her many, many more years-hopefully stone-free!!

Tinker Whittern is inarguably a cat with character.

His story begins almost 12 winters ago when he was found wandering around the Whittern family’s back yard. Although he was a hungry little guy, it took some time and patience before he warmed up to his providers and allowed them to pet and feed him!! Over the next few weeks,
Tinker decided they were harmless and eventually moved in with the Whitterns where he’s been a family member ever since.

Months turned into years. Tinker led the life of Riley, socializing with/antagonizing neighbourhood
cats and guarding his territory. Aside from annual veterinary visits, Tinker only frequented the hospitalwhen he’d had a difference of opinion with another feline friend…i.e.: bite wound abscesses. All that changed the summer of 2006.

July brought Tinker to Smith Veterinary Hospital for an examination. His owners had noticed him vomiting and having diarrhea the past couple of days. His appetite was low and he was lethargic.

Tristan: a strong name for a determined cat.

His journey began December 13, 2006. His owner was concerned about his decreased appetite and brought him here for some answers. Upon his examination, it was discovered that he had developed a heart murmur and arrhythmia. Blood work was ordered as well as an ECG (electro-cardiogram) to uncover the cause of his irregular heartbeat. The ECG showed what appeared to be cardiomyophathy (heart disease) and an Echocardiogram (specialized heart ultrasound) was ordered to determine if any medication was needed at this time. A specialist came in to ultrasound his heart and he recommended that Tristan go home with medication for his condition.

In the meantime, Tristan’s blood results showed a very serious condition: he was suffering from a non-responsive anemia, a condition where his body was not replacing its red blood cells.

There can be several causes of non-responsive anemia; some examples are:

Bonnie is one of a kind. Her soulful eyes draw you in; her continuous tail wag charms you. Never sad or mad, Bonnie lights up a room. She has been a patient of Smith Veterinary Hospital since June 1999. During the past 8 years, Bonnie has enjoyed a charmed life.

Aside from her spay, vaccines, the occasional ear infection, tummy ache and routine grooming, she has led a very healthy life but June 2006 brought our girl in for a visit: she had been urinating more often lately and her owners were concerned. A routine urinalysis showed signs of an infection as well as crystal formation.

**Crystals in the bladder can form stones. The most common type of bladder stones in cats and dogs are Struvite and Calcium Oxalate. Struvite stones in dogs are almost always due to an infection; the organism creating this infection produces an enzyme called urease that results in alkaline urine (pH greater than 7). This combined with minerals in the urine, results in the formation of struvite bladder stones**

This condition can be difficult to manage and often patients need to spend more time in hospital, having their blood sugar levels checked and their insulin doses altered.

At this point, Spencer had cataracts; it is assumed they had developed secondary to his diabetes. Poor Spencer. Questions arose as to why the doctors were unable to control his diabetes with insulin. More blood tests were ordered and we discovered that Spencer had developed Cushing’s disease.

Cushing’s disease (or Hyperadrenocorticism) is a disorder of the adrenal glands in which excessive adrenal hormones (cortisol) are produced. The adrenal glands produce hormones aimed at keeping the body’s systems in balance.
Control, rather than a cure, is the outcome of treatment in most cases of Cushing’s disease. Spencer began a course of medication which included the drug Lysodren. We now need to monitor this condition with regular blood tests.

Today, Spencer is 13 years old and doing well. We continue to monitor his various health conditions closely. He has gained his weight back!! Although his eyesight will not return, his owners report that he is managing the stairs at home well. He has also devised a way to alert them when he needs to go outside: Spencer wears a jingle-bell collar and when it’s time, he shakes his head to ring the bells and voila! The Redden team then knows that it’s time to go outside.
He has taught them the virtue of patience when they take him for a stroll---remember, Spencer not only cannot see, he suffers from hip dysplasia, so walks can be uncomfortable for him. He has taught them to slow down…
Spencer has a quiet strength. He is brave and noble and loving and patient. He is adored by us all. The Redden family wanted us to know how much they appreciated the care and level of competence and professionalism they received here at Smith Veterinary Hospital. A special thank you is extended to Dr. Dana Cox, who kept in constant contact with veterinary experts in order to offer the best care for Spencer.
We look forward to many more years with him and his family.

It’s another story of survival: May’s Pet of the Month is little Asalle, an 8-week old Shih Poo puppy overcoming Parvovirus.

What is Parvovirus?? It is a disease caused by a virus that is very similar to feline panleukopenia. A relatively new disease (appeared for the first time in dogs in 1978), Parvovirus spreads rapidly through unvaccinated canine populations. Once contracted, this disease can be very difficult to treat and is oftentimes fatal; therefore, like Heartworm disease, the best defense is PREVENTION. How do we prevent??? VACCINATE! VACCINATE!! VACCINATE!!!

Asalle was examined at SVH on April 28^th, 2007 for vomiting, diarrhea and anorexia. This situation was especially concerning as she is less than 10 weeks old and puppies and kittens dehydrate much faster than adults do; therefore, she was quickly transferred to the Veterinary Emergency Clinic for medical workup and 24-hour care. There, blood tests were ran, x-rays were taken, she was placed on intravenous fluids and given medication to calm the nausea and decrease the diarrhea.

When her blood results were ready, it was no surprise that the diagnosis was Parvovirus. Although it can affect dogs of all ages, young puppies less than 5 months are usually the most severely affected.

How did Asalle contract this disease? The most common way is by coming in contact with feces of infected dogs. The virus is shed during infection and for about 2 weeks after. Susceptible dogs (puppies, ill, unvaccinated) become infected by ingesting the virus; it is carried to the intestine where it invades the intestinal wall and causes inflammation.

The clinical signs and symptoms of Parvovirus can vary, although severe vomiting and diarrhea are the most common and consistent-loss of appetite, listlessness, depression and fever are also common symptoms.
There is no treatment to kill the virus once it infects the dog; however, the virus does not directly cause death. Rather, it is the severe dehydration, electrolyte imbalance and infection in the bloodstream (septicemia) that lead to death. Intensive care is needed to treat this disease. Rate of recovery depends on how quickly aggressive treatment is begun before severe dehydration and septicemia occur.

Asalle was hospitalized at the VEC for 2 days before being transferred back to SVH. By the third day, Asalle had stopped vomiting and we were able to offer her small, frequent meals. The diarrhea was resolving, she was in good spirits and was feeling much better. Her owners took her home on Day 4 with some antibiotics to combat the infection and a special gastrointestinal diet. She will come back for vaccinations once all signs of the virus are gone.

What will Asalle’s owners do now that she is home?? They will finish her medication, feed her small, frequent meals of the special diet (no table scraps!!) and give her lots and lots of love and attention! Asalle is still considered contagious so she must be kept away from all other dogs for at least a month. She should also not be allowed in public areas (parks, obedience classes, neighbourhood areas) until her full set of vaccines is complete. Puppies receive a Parvovirus vaccination as part of their multiple-agent vaccine given at 8, 12, and 16 weeks of age and again at their first birthday. We now alternate this yearly vaccine with the rabies vaccine.

What do we do at the hospital in order to kill the Parvovirus? BLEACH EVERYTHING-all surfaces, blankets, food bowls and toys!! Unlike most other viruses, Parvovirus is stable in the environment and is resistant to the effects of heat, detergents, alcohol and most disinfectants. It is easily transmitted via the hair or feet of infected dogs, contaminated shoes, clothes or other objects and areas contaminated by infected feces.

**Direct contact between dogs is not required to spread the virus**

Asalle recovered well from her exposure to Parvovirus; detected early, most puppies have a good chance of surviving.

Once again, the best defense is PREVENTION! If you have any questions about vaccination schedules or any infectious diseases, please do not hesitate to ask one of our knowledgeable staff.

Brandy has been chosen as June’s Pet of the Month as she represents the importance of regular blood Wellness testing in our pets. As heartworm testing wraps up for another year, you may have noticed how our staff encouraged all dog owners to have Wellness blood testing as part of their annual heartworm test. This blood panel evaluates kidney function, liver function, blood sugar and muscle function; it also examines the health of white blood cells (WBCs) and red blood cells (RBCs). It was only through this Wellness testing that we were able to discover Brandy’s liver condition.

April 19^th brought Brandy to Smith Veterinary Hospital for annual vaccines, heartworm and Wellness testing. An overall healthy, 10 year old Chow Chow, Brandy presented no major health concerns. Her appetite and energy level were normal and she wasn’t vomiting or having diarrhea. In fact, aside from a fractured tooth, Brandy’s examination was unremarkable! When her blood results came back, elevated liver enzymes were noted: as this was a new finding, further blood tests were ordered to determine the cause. As there are several possible causes for the elevated liver enzymes, an abdominal ultrasound and liver biopsies were scheduled.

On May 8^th, Brandy underwent general anaesthesia in order to obtain biopsies of her liver. In the past, the only method of obtaining these biopsies was to perform a laparotomy (incision into the abdomen)-advances in veterinary medicine now allow doctors to simply insert a small needle into the organ/mass to withdraw tissue for analysis, a much less invasive and risky procedure.

The biopsy results were back in a few days; the diagnosis was a Hepatoma, a common liver tumour in dogs that rarely becomes clinically significant. They do, however, become significant when they get so large that they compress neighbouring organs or when they risk rupturing and bleeding (which can potentially be fatal). In Brandy’s case, the hepatoma was quite large (it weighed just under a pound!!) and the decision was made to have it surgically removed to eliminate the risk of hemorrhage.

On June 4^th 2007, Brandy underwent exploratory surgery to excise her liver mass. She spent the night here to continue her intravenous fluid therapy, her antibiotics and pain medication. Brandy’s family took her home on June 5^th to recover and receive lots of TLC!

Currently, she is doing well and continues to get stronger every day. She is adored by the Fisher family who have shared their lives with her since she was just a ball of fuzzy fur. We wish Brandy many more healthy years-with continued Wellness testing, who knows how many years that could be!!

This month’s focus is on Trillian, a wonderfully spirited 6 year old miniature, short-haired Dachshund.

We’ve all heard this breed referred to as “weiner dogs” on account of their long backs and short legs!!! Unfortunately, as cute as they are, their physical shape can lead to serious medical conditions.

Trillian has been a patient of Smith Veterinary Hospital since 2001. Aside from her spay, annual exams with vaccines, heartworm testing and dental cleanings, Trillian has led a very healthy and happy life with the Neill family. In June 2005, she suddenly had difficulty climbing the stairs at home and was unable to scratch her ears with her hind legs. After a full physical exam and bloodwork, a series of x-rays were taken which uncovered a problem with Trillian’s spine. She was referred to the Veterinary Emergency Clinic/Referral Centre where an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) was performed. The results confirmed our suspicion: Trillian had a calcified disc which was compressing her spinal cord. This explained why she had been having trouble with her hind legs! She underwent surgery where they removed large amounts of prolapsed disc material from within her vertebral canal; surgeons also surgically created more space (fenestration) within her spinal canal in order to help prevent recurrence of this condition in this area.

The cause of Trillian’s discomfort was Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD)-intervertebral discs are located between the vertebrae (bones of the spine). Each disc has 2 parts: a fibrous outer layer and a jelly-like interior. When this interior disc material compresses the spinal cord (due to a herniated disc), the patient experiences signs ranging from mild back or neck pain to paralysis, loss of sensation and loss of bladder/bowel control. Disc disease can be very serious; in some cases, paralysis or fecal/urinary incontinence may be permanent. Intervertebral disc herniations are most common in the long, low breeds like Dachshunds, Basset hounds, Shih tzus, Lhasa apsos, Pekingese and Corgis. They can also occur in cats, but not as commonly as in dogs.

Discs in the neck can have the same types of problems as do the discs in the back. In April of this year, poor Trillian suffered from another prolapsed disc in her neck and was again referred to the VEC for surgery. She has healed quickly and successfully and is back to her normal self. Trillian is a lucky dog; she has very dedicated owners who have taken full advantage of the best veterinary care possible. IVDD can be a recurring condition; however, research shows that more than 90% of affected dogs who have the ability to sense pain in their hindlimbs will walk again after surgery. We here at Smith Veterinary Hospital wish her only the best healthy years ahead!

MORRIS

From the time the Reid’s settled the crew at home, Morris has had loose, bloody bowel movements. Initial fecal tests revealed intestinal parasites and were treated. He was administered several different medications aimed at firming his stool and his diet was changed to a bland Gastrointestinal food. He would respond for short periods of time but inevitably, he would have loose stool again. In May 2006, Morris underwent exploratory surgery to obtain biopsies of his gastrointestinal tract; small pieces of his jejunum, duodenum, cecum and colon were taken and sent to the laboratory at the Ontario Veterinary College for analysis. After an overnight hospital stay, Morris was sent home to await the results. Unfortunately, the results were not good news: Morris was diagnosed with Malignant Lymphoma, a form of bowel cancer.

**Lymphoma is the most common type of cancer found in cats and also the most common gastrointestinal cancer**

The good news is that Morris’ is a slow progressing type of cancer that responds well to steroids and chemotherapy. Morris has been taking both drugs since his diagnosis and has been so far doing very well!!! He is a wonderful cat, very affectionate and loving. We continue to monitor his condition carefully and look forward to many more years with him and his family!!

MILLIE

Millie is a character!! She is strong-willed and silly. From the time the Reid’s settled her into the house, she has had recurrent urinary problems: frequent trips to the litter box, bloody urine and urinating outside the litter box. She has had numerous urinalyses, x-rays and ultrasounds of her bladder, urine cultures (to test for bacterial growth) and countless rounds of antibiotics!!! She has been hospitalized on intravenous fluids for severe urinary infections and endured more blood and urine collections than most!! In April 2007, we decided to perform exploratory surgery on Millie’s bladder.
We wanted to determine why she was having so many urinary problems!! Small biopsies of her bladder were sent to the OVC for analysis; thankfully no masses or calculi (bladder stones) were detected, eliminating two possible causes of her infections/bloody urine (hematuria).
The histopathology results came back: Millie had 2 conditions causing her infections. The first one is Chronic Bacterial Cystitis, a recurring bacterial infection. The second is Interstitial Cystitis where the walls within the bladder are inflamed (the term “cystitis” simply refers to an inflamed bladder). Millie is being treated with antibiotics and has her urine routinely checked for signs of recurring infection. The Reid family has become expert cat “medicators”!!
We are still struggling to find the best solution in regards to treating her urinary problems; so far, we have some months “infection-free” but we continue to strive for better!

MOLLY

Thankfully, little Molly has been the healthiest of the bunch!! Aside from annual vaccinations, we have only seen her for two dental procedures, both involving extractions. The youngest of the Reid crew, she is the most shy: perhaps that is why she remains so healthy in order to avoid coming the SVH!!

The Reid family is to be commended for their dedication and care; they selflessly adopted 2 cats that were brought to the Animal Shelter for serious health issues and have provided them with loving and caring homes. They have adhered to all medical recommendations to ensure the best care for their pets. They strive to do what is in their best interest at all times. We at Smith Veterinary Hospital want them to know that we recognize and appreciate their loyalty both to their pets and to us. We have no doubt that Millie, Morris and Molly have been blessed: the Reid family rescued them all and provided them the best. We hope to spend many more years with them all.

Lola had the detached fragment removed from her elbow; this is the most widely practiced method of treatment for an Ununited Anconeal Process. She is currently being managed with chondroprotectives (glucosamine), a diet high in omega-3 fatty acids (Hill's J/D) and physiotherapy. Unfortunately, even with all these preventive measures in place, there is still a high likelihood that she will develop arthritis in her elbow joint.

In the Spring of 2007, Lola was brought in for an examination for hind end stiffness. She was given a sedative in order to perform a thorough exam on both her knees and her hips and to obtain x-rays. Dr. Adamek palpated her knees to determine if she had ruptured a ligament; there are two cruciate ligaments that cross inside the knee joint: the anterior cruciate ligament, which prevents the tibia from slipping forward out from under the femur and the posterior cruciate ligament, which prevents the tibia from slipping back.

**The key to the diagnosis of a ruptured cruciate ligament in the knee is the demonstration of an abnormal knee motion called a drawer sign where the veterinarian manipulates the knee in a way that the tibia moves forward (like opening a drawer)--this is not possible in a normal knee.**

Unfortunately, both of Lola's knees demonstrated positive drawers which meant she had torn both anterior cruciate ligaments!! Poor Lola!! Poor Alissa!! Without an intact cruciate ligament, the knee is unstable and requires surgery. Lola was referred to an orthopaedic specialist to undergo a complex procedure called TPLO (Tibial Plateau Levelling Osteotomy).
There are three different surgical techniques commonly used to repair ruptured/torn cruciate ligaments; TPLO was Lola's best option as she is over 50 lbs and it is considered to be the best for this size. With this surgery, the tibia is cut and rotated in such a way that the natural weight-bearing of the dog actually stabilizes the knee joint. Orthopaedic metal plates and screws are used to stabilize the tibia. Lola underwent the first TPLO on her left knee on June 26th and the second on August 20th.

Lola's recovery has been remarkable due in part to Alissa's dedication and superior home care. Alissa had to apply ice to her surgical sites to help reduce swelling and follow a strict regimen of physiotherapy outlined by the surgeon. Lola had an arsenal of medication to take, from antibiotics to anti-inflammatories to pain medication. One would never guess the long journey she has been on by seeing her today: you are helpless to stop that tail from wagging!! She has regained muscle mass in both her legs thanks to the skilled physiotherapists and continues strenghthening exercises today.
You can't help but love her once you meet her; although her size may be a bit daunting at first, you can't help but be charmed by her infectious spirit and gentle ways. We all wish them both many, many (healthy and surgery-free) years together.

"Her name was Lola, she was a showgirl..."

Lola is the beloved companion of one of our staff members, Alissa. She is the beautiful offspring of Seth (English Mastiff) and Gertie (Neapolitan Mastiff), born March 23, 2005. In the short time that she's been travelling this Earth, Lola has undergone 3 major orthopaedic surgeries!! Her first was in April 2006 when she had surgery to repair an Ununited Anconeal Process (Elbow Dysplasia) in her left elbow.

**Elbow Dysplasia (the abnormal development of the joint) is the most common cause of front limb lameness in young, large breed dogs. Although it can take several different forms, they have in common that they produce loose pieces of bone and/or cartilage within the joint that act as irritants--similar to pebbles in your shoe. If left untreated, they all invariably lead to arthritis (inflammation of the joint).**

Cali is a beautiful Standard Poodle lovingly owned by the Friedman family. She has been a patient of Smith Veterinary Hospital since she was a wee puppy! We have watched her grow and develop into the spirited seven-year old she is today. Aside from her spay surgery (ovariohysterectomy) and the occasional yeasty ear infections, she has been the picture of health. In January 2003, as a part of her yearly exam, Cali had routine blood sent for analysis where we discovered a slight elevation in one of her liver enzymes. Cali’s liver levels were then monitored yearly in combination with her annual checkups and vaccinations and aside from some slight elevations, overall her liver values were steady.

November 2007 brought Cali in to Smith Veterinary Hospital; her family was concerned as her appetite was low, she hadn’t eaten the night before and her breathing was shallow (panting). Upon her examination with the doctor, we discovered that Cali had a fever and that her abdomen was painful when it was palpated. Although she wasn’t vomiting, she certainly had no interest in food. Blood tests were ordered, abdominal x-rays were taken and Cali stayed with us for the day to be monitored. Her blood results showed that her liver enzymes had dramatically increased and that she was anemic (her red blood cells were low).

**Anemia is a condition whereby the red blood cells are low. Red blood cells carry hemoglobin which is the iron-containing protein that allows for oxygen to be transported to the tissues. Patients with low RBCs lack energy, have poor appetite and pale mucous membranes.**

Cali was admitted to our hospital for further testing and treatment. We placed her on intravenous fluids as she was dehydrated from her lack of food and water intake. We began antibiotic therapy as her blood profile had also shown an increase in her white blood cells, indicating an infection. An ultrasound was performed and an exploratory surgery was scheduled to determine why Cali was inappetent and had a painful abdomen.

On November 15^th, Cali underwent exploratory surgery where biopsies of her liver and small intestine were taken and sent to Guelph for histopathology. As we all anxiously awaited results, Cali was kept hospitalized during her recovery in order for us to continue her antibiotic therapy, keep her comfortable with analgesics and monitor her blood levels. At night, she was transported to our affiliated Veterinary Emergency Clinic to receive after-hour care. On November 17^th, Cali was sent home as she had finally started to eat on her own, her spirits were up and she was feeling better.

Finally, Cali’s results from Guelph came back and the diagnosis was Cholangiohepatitis, a condition where the liver’s cells and bile ducts are inflamed. The most common cause of this disease is infection and is treated with an arsenal of antibiotics. Cali was sent home with several medications as well as lots of hugs and kisses from our staff that had all rallied around her during her illness!

Today Cali is doing remarkably well! She will have her liver levels rechecked once her course of antibiotics is completed and routinely thereafter in order to monitor her progress. Her strong-will and determination inspired us all. Never one to complain, she endured countless blood draws, catheters, thermometers, x-rays and medication. The Friedman family is to be commended for their dedication to Cali. They requested only the best treatment and care in order to ensure she came back home to them---and she did.