Patient of the Week

February 8th thru 12th, 2010

With 127 votes, this week’s winner is Bosco!

Congratulations Bosco!

PATIENT SUMMARY:
Bosco is a Mix Breed who is 4yrs old and weighs 90#.  He was referred to us by Dr. Greg Hartman Hartman Animal Hospital, LLC for right rear lameness.  Bosco was diagnosed with a CCL/MPL problem.  Dr. Dew suggested a TTA (tibial tuberosity advancement) to correct both of those issues.
TREATMENT:
Dr. Dew observed Bosco’s meniscus to be intact.  He used Kyon hardware as follows to correct his CCL issue:  9x22mm basket, 6 hole plate & fork, 4 titanium screws.  He also placed a bone graft underneatht he basket to promote good healing.  With post-surgical radiographs, Dr. Dew noted good hardware placement, and that the tibial plateau was perpendicular to the straight patellar ligament.  Bosco’s prognosis is good for healing, improved function and decreased progression of degenerative joint disease (arthritis). Nursing care, physical therapy, exercise restriction and the use of Glycoflex will play critical roles in an uncomplicated recovery and optimization of long term function.

Patient of the Week Candidates

for the week February 8 thru 12, 2010

Wow!!!  Can you believe the voting last week?  Not only did Kiwi win, but that baby’s votes surpassed those of Belle, the POTM for January a few weeks ago pulling in 460 votes… Way to Go, Kiwi!!
Who will it be next?  Vote Here~~~~>>>

PATIENT SUMMARY:

TREATMENT:
Dr. Dew performed a bilateral TTT (tibial tuberosity transposition) on Andre.  He used divergent pins in both of his legs for stabilization.  Due to having both legs corrected simultaneously, Andre may require some assistance rising and walking for several days.  His prognosis is good for healing, improved function and decreased progression of degenerative joint disease (arthritis). 

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Removal of Abscessed Uropygial Gland

on a Penguin at the Memphis Zoo

New Treatment for Hip Dysplasia

BioScaffold Implantation

Azzore Veterinary Specialists is pleased to announce a new minimally invasive treatment for dogs with chronic hip dysplasia: BioScaffold implantation. Bioscaffold is engineered collagen which allows the patient’s naturally produced stem cells to function like fetal stem cells, decreasing inflammation and modifying diseased cartilage, bone and connective tissue to a more normal healthy state. In a series of clinical trials, dogs with chronic hip dysplasia had significantly decreased pain and improved function for over 9 months time with a single implant. Ideal candidates for this procedure would be dogs that are not candidates for total hip replacement due to costs or age, or dogs that are not tolerant of NSAID therapy.

Before and after video:

Patient of the Week

February 1st thru 5th, 2010

Last Week’s winner,

 pulling in 460 votes, was. . .

PATIENT SUMMARY:
Kiwi is a Yorkie who is 11# at 3yrs of age.  Dr. Kristie Austin of Osage Veterinary Clinic sent her to us.  He had a 1-week history of rear limb paresis, and has been responsive to steroids; however paresis has worsened with each episode.  Dr. Dew observed upon examination Grade IV rear limb myelopathy.  There was deep pain present bilaterally, but it was reduced.
TREATMENT:
Dr. Dew used a dorsolateral approach to the Left T12-T13 Vertebrae.
Cerebrospinal centesis:  There was 2ml of clear CSF (cerebrospinal fluid) collected from cisterna magna.
Myelogram:  Dr. Dew injected 3ml iohexol.  He observed column thinning and elevation from T12-13, with a slight deviation of the spinal cord to the right.
Hemilaminectomy:  There was a large amount of acute disc material removed ventral to the cord.  Dr. Dew explored the spinal canal, used lavage for cleaning and applied a free fat graft for healing.  Kiwi’s prognosis is good for healing and improved neurologic function.  A transient worsening of neurologic function can be noted after a myelogram and surgery. This condition will usually resolve to the pre-operative state in 3-10 days. The nervous system is very slow to heal. Improvement can be expected for up to 5 months. Nursing care, physical therapy and exercise restriction all play critical roles in avoiding complications and aiding recovery.

Congratulations KIWI!

Patient of the Week Candidates

for the Week of February 1st thru 5th, 2010

Last week’s winner was Callie with 60 votes.

WAY TO GO!!! 

Remember, the Patient of the Week with the most votes wins an awesome Azzore Patient of the Month Prize Package!

PATIENT SUMMARY: 

Tough is a Bulldog at  73# and 6yr sent to us by Dr. Paul Jenkins from Vilonia Animal Hospital.  He had a Left TTA procedure done by Dr. Dew in 2005.  Tough had been doing well on his Left TTA,
but was now lame on the Right.  Dr. Jenkins identified a Cranial Cruciate Ligament (CCL) and Medial Patella Luxation (MPL) condition in the right stifle.  Dr. Dew discussed the use of the Tibial Tuberosity Advancement (TTA) procedure to correct both conditions simultaneously.

TREATMENT:
Dr. Dew used a medial approach for Tough’s surgery.  Hardware used in his TTA surgery consisted of a 9x22mm basket, 4 hole plate and fork combination, and 4 titanium screws from Kyon.  A bone graft was used to promote healthy healing underneath the cage.  The MPL was also corrected during the tibial tuberosity advancement surgery.  Post-surgical x-rays showed good hardware placement, and tibial plateau was perpendicular to a straight patellar ligament.  Tough’s prognosis is good for healing, improved function and decreased progression of degenerative joint disease (arthritis). Nursing care, physical therapy, exercise restriction and the use of Glycoflex will play critical roles in an uncomplicated recovery and optimization of long term function.

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Patient of the Month

January 2010

Congratulations Belle!
She secured the Azzore Patient of the Month title with 402 votes!

Belle
PATIENT SUMMARY: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. 

The Azzore Tour

Parkway Clinic, Russellville, Arkansas

Have you wondered what our facility looks like, but haven’t been able to make the trip to Russellville, AR to see us yet? Or maybe you are wondering who you’re talking to on the phone, or who is taking care of your pet when they stay with us.  Here’s your opportunity to find out.

Take the Azzore tour.
 

Patient of the Week

January 25th thru 29th, 2010

 And the winner is. . . .

PATIENT SUMMARY:
Callie is a 10# Dachshund sent to us by Dr. Carolyn McCutcheon with Park Avenue Animal Hospital.  She had a history of arched back and intermittent yelping and turning to stifles. Dr. McCutcheon has identified a bilateral MPL luxation. Dr. Dew concurred with Dr. McCutchen and identified a Grade III bilateral MPL. Callie’s owners decided on transport to Russellville facility for Bilateral TTT (Tibial Tuberosity Transposition) surgery.
TREATMENT:
Dr. Dew used a medial approach for Callie’s surgeries. Hardware used were 0.062 and 0.045 divergent pins. Her prognosis is good for healing, improved function and decreased progression of degenerative joint disease (arthritis). Nursing care, physical therapy, exercise restriction and the use of Glycoflex will play critical roles in an uncomplicated recovery and optimization of long term function.

with 60 votes!

Congratulations Callie!

Patient of the Week Candidates

for the week of January 24th thru 29th, 2010

Last week’s vote ended with Joey as the winner of POTW with 27 votes. Who will be the winner of this week’s vote? Remember, the Patient of the Week with the most votes wins an awesome Azzore Patient of the Month Prize Package! 

PATIENT SUMMARY:
Bailey is a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel who weighs 24# and is 2yrs old. She was sent to us by Dr. Greg House at Rodney Parham Animal Clinic. Bailey had demonstrated intermittent rear limb lameness for the past several months. Her owner believes the most discomfort originates from the right side. Dr. House has identified through his radiographs a malunion of the left distal femur, right coxofemoral subluxation and right MPL (medial patellar luxation). Upon Dr. Dew’s examination, he discussed all abnormalities with Bailey’s owner. He suggested addressing the patella correction, as no surgical treatment may be required for the coxofemoral joints or the left stifle.
TREATMENT:
Dr. Dew used a medial approach for Bailey’s Tibial Tuberosity Transposition – (TTT) surgery. Her leg was repaird using a combination of wires, pins and bone transfer. The implants have been designed to maximize the opportunity for successful bone healing and return to function. Her prognosis is good for healing, improved function and decreased progression of degene rative joint disease (arthritis). Nursing care, physical therapy, exercise restriction and the use of Glycoflex will play critical roles in an uncomplicated recovery and optimization of long term function.

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