I have had a rather steady two weeks at work. However, my weekends have been rather interesting. Last weekend I threw Alana (my colleague at work) an 80’s dress up farewell party. She is off to the UK in February and I will miss her heaps.
We have a great vet working relationship and have also become close friends.
She plans to torture me with her travel adventures and I hope to exploit her for free accommodation if I decide on a UK holiday trip. The 80’s theme party was inspired by me joking about how big my hair gets if I brush it. And voilà , here I am posing with my hubby ‘Wally’ & thankfully my hair appears contained in this picture:
It has also been stinking hot here and that explains the rather cruisy work schedule. I think everyone is trying to keep cool and keeping their pets out of the heat. However, whenever I run out to do some grocery shopping, I am often shocked to see many people happily walking around with their pooches at around mid day (peak heat). I know the owners have good intentions and want to spend quality time with their dogs. Unfortunately, they seem oblivious to the fact that their pet is actually suffering in silence.
These dogs are often lagging behind the owner and appear like they are cooking and in a bit of discomfort.
Their poor paws must be aching and throbbing from each step they take on the burning surface beneath them. Have you ever tried to walk bare foot on the side-walk between 11 a.m. & 2 p.m. during the summer heat? I implore all pet owners to rethink taking their dogs out when it’s very hot unless they are heading to the lake or beach or park. Geriatric patients especially ones with medical conditions like heart or liver disease won’t cope with the heat. It is best to keep them indoors with a fan or air conditioner switched on.
Unfortunately I had to put down one of my favourite patients ‘Castro’ ,a 12-year-old labrador, with heart failure because he was suffering from heat stroke. Boy did he love his liver treats.
He would hobble around on his stiff hind legs quite happily just to get closer to the liver treat jar.
Rest in peace my handsome boy…
Last week, I was very lucky to meet George, 19-year-old Burmese cat, that presented to me for weight loss and intermittent vomiting.
Yup you heard me 19 years old!
His owner had already resigned herself for the worst possible news purely based on his age. George was so vocal and his coat was so smooth and soft. He was an absolute smooch.
I proceeded with my full examination and found that he was in great nick for his age. However, I did discover he had a very smelly breath due to a few rotten teeth. His owner then informed me that he had had a few dentals in his time and barely has any teeth left. I could see the owner was still very tense and waiting to hear what my recommendations were going to be. I smiled at her and said:
‘I am successfully managing a 21-year-old feisty kitty cat with hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) and so I am more than happy to give George a good go”.
I told her I am fully aware he is quite old and he may be suffering from a serious condition. However, I only base that kind of decision on the quality of life of my patient, my examination and workup. At that stage, the owner was quite relived and keen to take me up on my recommendations of blood work and admitting George into the hospital to get him started on iv fluids to correct his mild dehydration. The blood test was to rule in/out kidney failure or hyperthyroidism to help me decide what was best for Georgy. His blood results showed very mild kidney issues and his thyroid levels were normal.
I was blown away with his good results in light of his age and quickly informed his owner. I then had to get the owner’s consent to go ahead with a general anaesthetic and dental. She knew well the risks involved but wanted to give ‘George’ the best quality of life while he was still plunking along. ‘George’ was initially not too pleased to be kept hostage in a cage.
He kept yowling for attention and as soon as he got it, he was utterly contented.
He made an excellent recovery after his dental. I called his owner a few days after ‘George’ was discharged and she was ecstatic to share the news of him thriving after his dental and not having vomited once. It was such a relief to hear that.
For all you pet lovers who have been advised that your pet is too old to undergo a general anaesthetic. I recommend you take your pet to another vet for a second opinion.
Can you imagine having a rotting and aching tooth or even set of teeth in your mouth? It is not only very painful but also will lead to bacteraemia (bacteria overload) that will spread through you pets’ blood stream leading to heart and kidney disease. Yes older pets undergoing a general anaesthetic have higher risks but it is definitely worth it. I find that many of my clients that have given me the okay to do a dental on their aged pets are always very thankful. They call to tell me they see a huge difference in their pet afterwards: more active, better appetite and simply their beloved pet is so much happier. So please don’t ignore your pet’s dental needs!!!
I better quit babbling. I have another very intersting case to discuss with you next week. So tune in to my post on ‘Sky’, the 3 month old adorable kitten with a prolpased eye:
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Dr Rayya's Online Veterinary Journal 
January 29, 2012 at 12:06 am
Thanks for the ping back. The party sounds fun and I love the wild hair. I enjoy reading your stories about the dogs and cats and am sorry for the loss of Castro.
January 29, 2012 at 1:53 pm
Thanks Ruth :-)… Glad you are still enjoying my blogs. I always worry about my geriatric patients in the extreme weather. Castro really was trying hard to conquer all his medical issues from heart disease to severe arthritis and even dental issues. I will miss his bright soul
January 29, 2012 at 1:00 am
I’m so happy George is doing well!!!! Yay!
Rest in peace Castro.
January 29, 2012 at 8:17 pm
George is one resilient smooch. Castro was a trooper and will be missed heaps.
January 29, 2012 at 1:09 am
That is grat news on George, but how sad about Castro- was he otherwise fine? I mean had he not gotten heat stroke would his heart been fine? What kind of person lets their dog get heat stroke? That was upsetting me to me, he looked like a healthy senior in his adorable picture 😦
January 29, 2012 at 8:25 pm
Her Sherri. Castro was a much loved senior pet. His owners did everything responsible to keep him cool but his heart was the main issue. He was suffering from heart failure & was on several medications to manage his condition. Unfortunately, his heart could not cope with the pressure bestowed upon his body from the heat. I find extreme weather pushes my geriatric patients into shutting down :-(..
January 29, 2012 at 1:42 am
Good voyage, Castro. Beautiful dog. It always hurts to lose one.
I had a ‘volunteer’ Abysynian cat who lived to 22. ‘volunteer’ because she dropped in one day at about 9 months old. Pregnant and beaten up by other cats. After she was patched up she never again had any health issues. Of course I gave her a home. Wonderful cat. She left me one Christmas curled up beneath the tree.
January 29, 2012 at 8:40 pm
Hey Gretchen. It is indeed very sad to lose a patient. Castro was a very special boy but we had to put an end his suffering. Thanks for sharing the brilliant story of your sweet Abyssinian 🙂
January 29, 2012 at 1:48 am
As always love the pics of the animals, I would like to swap George, for the “stray” that has been living like royalty around here for about 14 years..She only has a charming personality when she is in want of something.
January 29, 2012 at 8:43 pm
Hey Jake. George is quite happy with his owners because they obey his orders 🙂 … Cats just love to rule our world!
January 29, 2012 at 1:50 am
George looks like a very fine fellow and what a relief his teeth were the only problem. Do look forward to hearing all about Sky. Is she a Rag Doll?
January 29, 2012 at 8:52 pm
Hello there :-). Ditto your George comment. Sky is a ragdoll cross, her mom was a pure ragdoll.
January 29, 2012 at 6:22 am
Hi,
Such sad news about Castro, he looks like a beautiful dog.
Here in Queensland as you may know, it also gets very hot, even early morning sometimes the footpaths have a bit of heat in them, and early evenings you still have to be careful the cement really does hold the heat. I always walk on the footpath, and my dog “Lucy” walks on the grass, I see other dog owners doing exactly the same thing, in my area. I am happy to say I have never seen anyone in my area walking a dog in the middle of the day. 🙂
George looks adorable, and what great news for the owner, glad to hear everything went well for him.
January 29, 2012 at 8:57 pm
Hey mags. Thanks for soothing my concerns and letting me know queenslanders are switched on about walking their dogs in the heat! I just let out a big sigh of relief****I hope more pet owners become aware…Castro is at peace now. His beautiful & bubbly nature will be missed. As for George, I’m sure he is being pampered heaps at home.
January 29, 2012 at 7:13 am
Castro looked good for an old dog; was his heart failure because of getting heat stroke? RIP big boy.
So glad to know that George came through his dental surgery with flying colours. His owner must be so relieved.
Thanks for the pingback Rayya!
January 29, 2012 at 9:01 pm
Hey Barb. Sadly, it is the other way around. Castro wad already suffering from heart failure & being managed with heart medications. The heat wave was just too much for his heart. :-(. I always enjoy your blogs and so want to get the word out there 😛
January 30, 2012 at 6:58 am
Awww, thanks Rayya, but the feeling is mutual.
Your blog is so interesting to animal lovers, but it also has humour, compassion and education so we can learn more about our pets – and that’s priceless.
You have so much to offer in each post, so I re-post yours often, and everywhere I can!
January 31, 2012 at 10:13 pm
🙂 ohhhh…we are getting all moochy now, aren’t we!hehehehe….It is just amazing to have established this great blogging relationship with you and I hope it continues.
January 29, 2012 at 12:19 pm
Howdy Doc –
Yep – I have no doubt that your hair can get – lets just say “Big”, but you’re right, but you’re right, you have contained it nicely in the photo above.
Thanks for doing the client write-ups again, I always enjoy reading about your clients, and I must say, you have a very interesting client list at times…….
January 29, 2012 at 9:10 pm
Aloha cowboy…I’m glad yoy appreciate my hair was contained. Interesting clients push me to improve on my communication skills. 😉
January 30, 2012 at 4:48 am
Aw I so love to read your blogs Raaya.
January 30, 2012 at 7:53 am
Thanks Rosie. I absolutely thrive on your continued support and regular tweets. 😀
January 30, 2012 at 5:30 am
Sampson will be eight this year and Delilah just turned six. So far neither one of them has had it recommended for dental cleaning. I’m getting a bit nervous as they are getting up in age and it will be a big decision for me.
We do feed them raw and I think the necks are helping keep their teeth clean. I’m keeping my fingers crossed. 🙂
I’m sorry about your sweet Castro, you know I am partial to labs. 🙂
January 31, 2012 at 10:11 pm
Hey Jodi. Fortunately I often find dental disease affects the smaller sized dogs and those that are not on the raw meat diet. However, it is definitely still important to regularly check their teeth and make sure nothing is festering. I am sure Sampson & Delilah have great dental health. I would like to set your mind at ease, I have done heaps and heaps of dentals on very old patients and I have not lost a single one yet 🙂 under general anaesthetic so far. Yes there is always a risk but that applies for everything :-). You would have loved Castro, that’s for sure.
January 31, 2012 at 12:04 pm
you are ADORABLE, rayya!
i’ll add that bacteraemia isn’t just true for poochies and kitties, but also for bulimics! having suffered from periodontitis which could have led to heart disease, i’m so grateful to be healthy. and guess who else is healthy? gwendolyn. she’s four, and her teeth are pearly white! 🙂
so very very sad that you lost a patient. 😦 can you give any “hot” tips for extreme weather conditions? right now, it’s VERY cold here, and i often wonder, when the thermometers hit nine degrees fahrenheit, is it too cold for my princess? and same is true for the heat. when is too hot? i’d REALLY love to see a post on this from you.
i’m posting a link to this article to my blog’s facebook page. excellent as always, and i thank you. xxx
January 31, 2012 at 9:32 pm
Hey Nicole. The feeling is very mutual. Ace to hear you & Gwen are super healthy! Will definitely write a more detailed report about weather extremes & how to keep your pets safe. I’m sure you have a funky snug coat or jacket to keep Gweny warm. 😀
January 31, 2012 at 12:55 pm
Hi Dr. Rayya,
Extreme heat in Australia wow we are drowning in Washington State won’t stop raining. Outstanding blog! :} Have you worked on any donkeys yet in Australia?
January 31, 2012 at 9:51 pm
Hey Melody. Hope your donkeys aren’t spooked by the rain. I have only treated 2 donkeys so far. They are so cheeky, stubborn & intelligent. One of my experiences was challenging as I was called out at 2 a.m. to assist a donkey in feeding her newborn foal. It was dark, the donkey was overprotective & not well handled by the owner. I did the best I could given the circumstances but it wasn’t very much. I was hesitant to sedate her but now I know better for future reference. You live & you learn. Please enlighten me with any donkey secrets I can utilise as a vet. 😉
February 8, 2012 at 11:35 am
Love the 80’s look. Wait, I lived the 80’s look and let me tell you it was something else…lol.
Too bad about Castro. We are always conscious of the heat in summer even though we have working dogs and they are conditioned, you just cannot be too careful. I have seen newbies at hunt tests who keep their dogs in their air conditioned cars and then get them out to run the test. Worst thing you can do. Imagine the shock to their systems.
February 9, 2012 at 12:47 pm
80s look is pretty funky :-P. I totally agree that would be too extreme to take the dog out of an air conditioned car into the heat for a test.