Being a Veterinarian assistant has its UPS and DOWNS. Working with animals....Great.
Being able to HELP Dogs and Cats....Fabulous
Dealing with Staff Conflict...Not so Good.
Telling an Owner that their beloved Pet has
an Incurable Disease..
HORRIBLE.
This is especially difficult when I am dealing with
young dogs and cats.
I am bringing this up as our LAST APPOINTMENT
yesterday was with a cat that was acting
VERY LETHARGIC, TREMBLING, and NOT
EATING OR DRINKING.
These were my findings:
Temp was LOW at 36 degrees Celsius
Pulse 200
Respirations 60
Prolonged Skin Tent ..8% dehydrated
Pale Mucous Membranes.. Shock or Anemia
Pain on Abdominal Palpation..VERY PAINFUL
on palpation of the kidneys.
Neurologic Exam..He had Head Tremors ( something
like a person with a Head Shake)
ANY IDEAS YET?
In the history it was revealed that he is
an outdoor cat, and this is winter in Nelson.
Blood Work...
Urea ..10 times normal
Creatinine 8 times normal
Phosphorus..2 times normal
CBC..Anemia PCV of 25%
Urinalysis..Urine Specific Gravity
( Urine Concentration 1.005)..
DIAGNOSIS..
Acute Renal Failure
MOST LIKELY CAUSE..
Anti-Freeze Toxicity..
This is ONLY treatable in a Cat in the First 4-6 hours after
ingestion. This cat had been ill for the last 48 hours.
I discussed the OPTIONS with his Guardian, and the
POOR PROGNOSIS.
His Guardian Elected for Euthanasia.
This was especially difficult. He was ONLY 2 years
old, very friendly, and a Big Part of this Family.
His entire Family came into the Clinic for the
Euthanasia, and EVERYBODY was crying.
SO WHAT can you do?
1. PREVENT This from happening to your Dog or Cat.
2. USE NON TOXIC ANTIFREEZE.
3. IF you SUSPECT Antifreeze Toxicity, then
TAKE ACTION IMMEDIATELY
4. Get Your Cat to the Veterinarian ASAP.
5. Be AWARE of the CLINICAL SIGNS of
ANTI-FREEZE Toxicity.
Symptoms of antifreeze toxicity will vary between cats and dogs.
In dogs, the first signs of antifreeze poisoning may be minimal,
where the dog is acting normally. As the antifreeze progresses
through the system, the dog can begin staggering, vomiting,
become lethargic, have seizures, enter into a coma, and die.
As few as two laps of antifreeze are enough to begin causing
permanent kidney damage. Cats may appear quiet, may walk as
if they are drunk, or become severely dehydrated.
All a cat has to do to receive a lethal dose of antifreeze is
walk through a spill of antifreeze then groom themselves.
//////////////////////////////////////////////
P.S. To Recognize these EARLY SIGNS you need to be
Comfortable with EXAMINING your Dog or Cat and KNOWING
what is NORMAL.
The MOST EFFECTIVE Way to DO this is to Regularly Examine
your dog or cat at home.
I advise that you do this once a week.
AND how do you do this. You can search the Internet and get some
basic Written Instructions on Doing a Pet health Exam.
P.P.S. USE Non Toxic Anti-Freeze. It could very well
save the life of someones beloved pet.
It's Your Pet. Heal Them At Home!
Best Wishes,
