A Note From Joey and Maggie: Vet Time

Maybe if I lay perfectly still Dad won't lift me out of bed this morning.

We apologize for no update yesterday, but Dad had to take your 'Long and Short of it All' host 'Joey' to the veterinary specialty center for his monthly DOCP shot for his Addison's Disease before Dad went to work. 'Maggie' came along for the ride. Joey has been having issues with his anal glands for about a week as well, so had those looked at - even though his groomer expressed them a few days before Thanksgiving, they were still bugging him.
Everyone at the veterinary specialty center was happy to see Joey back and that he is doing so well after his troubling surgery. All the girls came out from behind the front desk on his arrival to get down on the floor and say hello to him. He loved the attention.  Maggie did her best to hide under the waiting room chairs.
Joey got weighed in and is maintaining his weight quite well at 20.5 pounds for the last several months.  They didn't take his temp because of his anal gland issues.  They drew blood to check his sodium and potassium, and the levels looked right on target so he got his monthly shot.  Ouch! 
The good doctor commented that Joey looked fantastic - he noticed how well Joey's coat is growing back, which is a good sign that things are going well for him.  He also commented that Joey didn't seem so afraid of him this visit and was happy to see him - he had commented before that Joey seems to like everyone in the hospital but him, and he wanted to get on Joey's good side.  It probably didn't help that the anal gland expression was next though.
Sure enough, his left gland is impacted and infected.  The good doctor tried to express it, and Joey yelped out in pain.  They ran a culture of some of the stinky discharge to find that there is an infection which will worsen if they don't clean the glands out.  Joey was going to be sedated to have the procedure done - a tube would be inserted through his anus and into his glands, and an antibiotic solution would be used to flush the glands out several times.  This is a more routine procedure that the veterinary specialty center doesn't normally do though, and sure enough, they didn't have the antibiotic solution in stock.  Joey was given the gift of time.
So, he will be seeing his regular veterinarian tonight for the procedure.  Poor little guy is still in pain today, as he continues to chase his nether-region in circles.  Hoping all goes well tonight.

Wednesday, December 01, 2010

Presenting Complaint
Joey was presented on 12/1/2010 at 10:32 AM for recheck. 

History
Joey is a 9 yr m/n Dachshund.  He has a history of splenectomy, bilateral adrenalectomy, pulmonary thromboembolism and pancreatitis.  Joey is currently doing very well at home.  Joey is on Prednisone 0.75 mg daily, Ursodiol 100 mg daily, and DOCP 21 mg IM every 28 days.  He has been scooting for the past 2 weeks after a grooming and anal gland expression.

Physical Examination
Temperature: na,  Pulse na/na, Respiration:  na
Weight:  9.318 kg, 20.5 lbs, 0.44 m2
Appearance:  normal
Eyes:  normal
Ears:  normal
Nose:  normal
Oral Cavity:  normal
Heart/Lungs:  normal
Abdomen:  normal
Musculoskeletal:  normal
Neurological:  normal
Skin:  normal
Lymph nodes:  normal
Other Comments:  WE LOVE JOEY!!!

Diagnosis
Bilateral adrenalectomy
Splenectomy
Biliary sludge
Infected and impacted left anal gland

Hospital Services
Joey was admitted into the hospital.
Blood was drawn for an I-Stat:  I Stat EC8+

Joey's anal glands were checked and expressed.  An in-house cytology was performed due to suspected infected anal gland.  TNTC (too numerous to count) cocci, no neutrophils noted.
DOCP 21 mg IM

Prognosis
Joey's prognosis is good.

Instructions to Owner
Recheck appointment in 28 days to ultrasound Joey's abdomen.  Recommend follow up appointment with regular veterinarian for anal gland expression, flush, injection, and antibiotics.

Thank you for bringing Joey to VSC.  It was great seeing you both and Maggie. 

If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact us.