Your candidates for the week of January 11 through January 15th:

Last week's voting was exciting!  Annie came in for first with 166 votes and wins the Pet of the Week.  Will your baby win this time???  Vote directly over here  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~>>>>

Jaguar

CASE HISTORY:
Jaguar, a 2-1/2 year old German Shepherd was referred to us by Dr James Herring at Wedington Animal Hospital.  Jaguar had his Right Total Hip Replacement back in January of 2009.  His family and Dr. Herring decided that it was time for his Right Hip to be corrected.

TREATMENT:
Dr. Dew used the craniolateral approch for Jaguar's Left Total Hip Replacement.  He used a Titanium 26mm cup, Small Femoral Stem, and 30mm Stem Screws from Kyon in the replacement.  After the procedure, we did an x-ray.  Dr. Dew observed good bone implant interface and good implant alignment.

Elvis

CASE HISTORY:
Elvis is a French Bulldog.  At 2-1/2 years of age, he weighs in at 20 pounds.  Dr. Darrell Riffel Countryside Animal Hospital referred him to us.  Elvis has had a history of upper airway problems. These have improved since Dr. Riffel completed soft palate resection and stenotic nares revision.  During the last 2 weeks, he has been vomiting and getting progressively worse.  The only thing this baby could keep down was corned beef.  Water is even expelled after a short period of time.  Dr Riffel did a Barium series which showed esophageal deviation, but this is normal within the brachycephalic (short nosed) breeds.  The barium passed through esophagus to the stomach to the small intestine in a normal period of time.  There was a possible Hiatal Hernia.  Due to findings on barium series, clinical signs IBD, hiatal hernia or pyloric dysfunction were discussed with Elvis' owner.  Due to poor body condition and small hepatic size on radiographs Dr. Dew suggested submitting bile acid assay prior to endoscopy or exploratory surgery. Bile acids returned normal. Discuss abdominal exploratory as best means of assessing hiatal hernia, pyloric hypertrophy and obtaining biopsies for IBD. Ms. Spiva wishes to proceed with abdominal surgery today.

TREATMENT:

Dr. Dew used a ventral celiotomy approach for the abdomial exploration.  There was no abdominal fat noted, his liver was small, and the small intestine was thickened. There was no hiatal hernia present, index finder passed through the pylorus, the gall bladder was easily expressed, and his urinary system appeared normal.  Dr. Dew performed a liver biopsy; pending the results of this biopsy, he also placed a duodenal feeding tube.

Smokey

CASE HISTORY:

Smokey the 8 year old 80lb Labrador Retriever comes to us from Dr Stephen Redding with Animal Clinic of Oxford in Mississippi.  He has a history of left forelimb lameness for over 3 months and has been nonresponsive to NSAIDs and restricted activity.  The x-rays did not show anything conclusive. 

TREATMENT:

Dr. Dew performed an arthrotomy and coronoidectomy on Smokey's Left elbow using a medial approach.  There was joint effusion noted during arthrotomy.  Due to turbidity & volume, it was submitted for cytology and culture.  His prognosis is good for improved elbow comfort and reduction of the lameness previously noted. Exercise restriction will play an important role in uncomplicated healing.

Buddy Wiser

CASE HISTORY:

Buddy is a 20lb 4 year old Wire Fox Terrier, sent to us by Dr. Marilyn Baeyens of North Hills Animal Clinic.  He had an acute onset of left rear lameness 4 weeks ago. Dr. Baeyens has identified a left CCL rupture.  Dr. Dew was in agreement and discussed with the owners the TTA (Tibial Tuberosity Advancement) Procedure as well as the EFS (External Fascial Strip).  Buddy Wiser's family decided to go with the TTA.

TREATMENT:

Dr. Dew used a medial approach for Buddy's TTA.  His meniscus was intact.  Implants included a 6x16 basket, 3 hole plate and fork, and 4 titanium screws supplied by Kyon.  A bone graft was placed under the basket to promote healing of bone.  With the TTA procedure, it is not uncommon to see some bruising and edema around the hock (ankle) and on the inside of the leg below the incision.  These changes are not painful and will resolve without treatment within 3 - 10 days.

Vincent

CASE HISTORY:

Vincent, an 18 lb 9 month old Miniature Schnauzer, came to us from Dr Howard Foggo at Benton Veterinary Hospital.  He had a history of malaise, seizures, vomiting and most recently circling behavior. Dr. Foggo had tentatively diagnosed a PSS. After review of clinical history and laboratory work, Dr. Dew discussed PSS (Portosystemic Shunt) and microvascular dysplasia, shunt banding with ameroid or cellophane, recovery and prognosis. Ms. Clark wishes to proceed with surgery today.
TREATMENT:
Dr. Dew procedes ventrally to perform the PSS surgery.  Vincent had an extremely large shunt vessel which also included gastric duodenal vein.  There was an 8mm ameroid ring placed on the mesenteric vessel, along with a cellophane band on the vessel entering the cava.  There was also a mass found in his stomach with dimensions of approximately 4x8 cm.  It was a trichobezoar mass:  essentially, a hairball.  The prognosis for an uncomplicated recovery after shunt surgery is fair.  The accumulation of abdominal fluid (ascites) and some abdominal discomfort may be noted. The long term prognosis will be dictated by the liver's response to an increased blood supply. The prognosis for significant long-term improvement in liver function is good.

Fritz
CASE HISTORY:

Fritz is a 6 year old 100 pound German Shepherd sent to us by Dr Jo Cochran of Park Avenue Animal Hospital.  He had an acute onset of right rear lameness, and had no improvement with exercise restriction and NSAIDs.  Fritz was transported to our Russellville facility for anesthesia, radiographs and stressed radiographs, and possible partial or complete tarsal arthrodesis.

TREATMENT:

After determining that the x-rays of rear limbs demonstrates low grade degenerative changes in both tarsi, stifle are clean and mild degnerative changes in the right coxofemoral joint.  The stressed views did not demonstrate any instability. After discussing these results with Fritz's owner, Dr. Dew suggested arthrocentesis to better characterize hock effusion.  The fluid obtained during the artrocentesis was .5ml in volume, and was cloudy.  This has been sent to the state lab for cytology.

Ruger

CASE HISTORY:

Ruger's owner brought him in because he had demonstrated right rear lameness for the past 4 weeks. Dr. Dew discussed TTA and EFS procedures with her as his examination concluded that Ruger had a Right CCL tear.  Due to age and activity level, his owner chose to proceed with a right TTA.

TREATMENT:
Dr. Dew used a medial approach for Ruger's TTA. His meniscus was torn and at a Grade II. Implants included a 9x19 basket, 5 hole plate and fork, and 4 titanium screws supplied by Kyon. A bone graft was placed under the basket to promote healing of bone. With the TTA procedure, it is not uncommon to see some bruising and edema around the hock (ankle) and on the inside of the leg below the incision. These changes are not painful and will resolve without treatment within 3 - 10 days.

Maebelle

CASE HISTORY:

Miss MaeBelle came to us by way of Dr Paul Noble of Bryant Veterinary Clinic.  She had previously seen Dr. Dew and was diagnosed with a Left CCL injury.  She was dropped off today by her family for a Left TTA.

                                    TREATMENT:

Dr. Dew used a medial approach for MaeBelle's TTA. Her meniscus was also torn and was at a Grade II.  Implants included a 9x22 basket, 5 hole plate and fork, and 4 titanium screws supplied by Kyon. A bone graft was placed under the basket to promote healing of bone. With the TTA procedure, it is not uncommon to see some bruising and edema around the hock (ankle) and on the inside of the leg below the incision. These changes are not painful and will resolve without treatment within 3 - 10 days.

Belle
CASE HISTORY:Belle was referred to us by Dr Dale Collier at North Arkansas Veterinary Services.  She has had progressive stridor and exercise intolerance for the past 2 years. Upon exam with Dr. Dew, there was marked stridor at rest, and intermittent tongue cyanosis was evident. He discussed laryngeal paralysis and tumor as possible differentials, suggest laryngeal exam and arytenoid tieback if indicated.  Belle's owner wished to proceed with disease confirmation and tie-back procedure if indicated. 

TREATMENT:

Dr. Dew confirmed laryngeal paralysis, and used a lateral approach for Belle's surgery.  He identified her muscular process, cricothyroid disarticulation, and proceded with Laryngeal Tieback procedure.  Belle  has a good prognosis for an uncomplicated recovery and improved quality of life. For the first 24 hours, the chance of airway edema would be present, therefore it is recommended that she be watched at a 24-hour facility.