POTW Candidates Jan 23rd thru Jan 27th, 2011
Patient of the Week Candidates
for the week of January 23rd thru January 27th, 2012
Review the patient summaries below then vote for your favorite patient.
The patient with the most votes wins the “Patient of the Week” title.
Then the POTW with the most votes in a month will be dubbed Azzore’s Patient of the Month, and will receive an extra special prize package from the Azzore Staff.

SAMMY is a Labrador retriever. He is 2yrs 8mo old and weighs 61#. His veterinarian is Dr. Scott Griffin at Animal Clinic of Rogers. Sammy had been hit by a car the previous week, and his wounds were stabilized by Dr. Griffin. The injuries were confined to the left rear limb. There was an 8cm long laceration over the stifle that was temporarily closed, as well as wounds over his hock (ankle area). There was also a tibiotarsal luxation with a partial loss of tissue. Dr. Dew stabilized the luxation with an ESF (external stabilization fixator) and we retained Sammy as an inpatient for open wound management. Sammy’s prognosis is fair for uncomplicated soft tissue healing. Exercise restrictions must be followed to maximize the prognosis for uncomplicated healing. A skin graft may be needed in the future to gain haired dermis over the cranial aspect of the hock.

PRECIOUS is a 13yr 1mo old Shih Tzu. She weighs 18.6#. Her veterinarian is Dr. Stacy Brown at Hot Springs Animal Hospital. Precious had a previous diagnosis of left carpal instability. Dr. Dew performed a carpal arthrodesis, and used an ESF (external stabilization fixator) to stabilize the area. A biopsy was also obtained to identify a tumor. Precious has a fair prognosis for uncomplicated osseous healing, and a good prognosis for improved forelimb function. Exercise restrictions and bandage care instructions must be followed to maximize the prognosis for uncomplicated healing.

GARBAGE is an Australian shepherd. She is 10yr 3mo old and weighs 45#. Her veterinarian is Dr. Katie Baeyens at North Hills Animal Clinic. Garbage has been treated for glaucoma since October 2011. It continued to worsen, and Garbage became non-visual in her right eye. Dr. Hodgson performed surgery to place an intraocular prosthesis on the right side. The surgery was routine, and no intraocular tumor was seen on evisceration. Histopathology of the eye will tell us the etiology of the glaucoma, as it is unknown at this point.

DUFFY a West Highland white terrier. He is 10yrs old and weighs 23#. His veterinarian is Dr. Scott Hamm at Atkins Animal Clinic. Duffy came to see Dr. Hodgson because the tissue under his eye was red and swollen. It was irritated, and there was also a small 8mm round red growth. Dr. Hodgson performed a wedge resection surgery to remove the growth, which was sent to the laboratory for identification.

JESSIE is an approximately 4yr 48.6# Mix breed canine. His veterinarian will be Dr. Carondelet Nollner at Greene Animal Hospital. Jessie was found and rescued. He appeared to have been hit by a car. His injuries consisted of left elbow luxation, right scapular (shoulder) fracture, upper and lower canine tooth and incisor fractures, and a gastric foreign body (identified as a nail by radiograph). Dr. Dew performed an endoscopy to remove the nail. He stabilized the scapula with pins and wire, reduced the elbow luxation, and extracted several fractured teeth. Jessie’s prognosis is good for normal osseous and soft tissue healing. For the first 2 weeks, while the bandages are in place, Jessie may require some assistance rising and walking. Exercise restrictions and bandage care instructions must be followed to maximize the prognosis for uncomplicated healing.

SOCKS is a 10mo old 60# Portuguese Water Dog. His veterinarian is Dr. Jennifer Jaycox at Animal Medical Clinic. Socks presented with a history of left rear limb discomfort, side sitting and difficulty rising. Films previously taken at Dr. Jaycox’s office showed left coxofemoral subluxation. Dr. Dew performed a TPO (triple pelvic osteotomy). Socks’ prognosis is good for normal bone healing, improved function and decreased progression of arthritis. Exercise restriction, nursing care and physical therapy instructions must be followed to maximize the prognosis for uncomplicated healing.

GINGER is a Labrador retriever. She is 13yrs old and weighs 104#. Her veterinarian is Dr. Brett Ziegenbalg at Ozark Animal Medical Center. Ginger’s owner and Dr. Ziegenbalg were concerned over progressive stridor. They suspected laryngeal paralysis in addition to her being obese and on a thyroid supplement. Dr. Dew performed an arytenoid tieback. Ginger has a good prognosis for an uncomplicated recovery and improved quality of life. For the first 24 hours the chance of airway edema is present, therefore it is recommended that Ginger be watched at a 24-hour facility.

MIRA is a Collie. She is 6mo old and weighs 40#. Her veterinarian is Dr. Mark Bell at The Pet Clinic. Her co-owner had noted that her forelimb growth and function were abnormal since 12 weeks of age. Radiographs from a Dr. Bossart demonstrated bilateral elbow subluxation, anterior bowing of the radius, and carpal valgus. Dr. Dew performed bilateral high segmental ulnar ostectomies to preserve growth of radius and allow the elbow to normalize. Mira’s prognosis good for normal osseous healing. Exercise restrictions must be followed to maximize the prognosis for uncomplicated healing. The degree of correction will only be able to be judged over the next 1-4 months.

BREE is a Yorkshire terrier. She is 2yrs old and weighs 5.6#. Her veterinarian is Dr. Gwen Reeder at All Animal Health Center. Bree came in for MPL (medial patellar luxation) revision bilaterally. The surgery went well, and Bree’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.

RYLEIGH is a Shar Pei. She is 1yr 1mo old and weighs 40#. Dr. Bob Hale at Briarwood Animal Hospital is her veterinarian. Ryleigh had entropion, which was affecting her eye tissue. Entropion is usually an inherited condition in dogs where the eyelids are misshapen and turn inward to rub on the cornea. Increased tearing and chronic conjunctivitis develop in mild forms of the condition. Dr. Hodgson performed a temporary tacking of the eyelids to help keep them from rolling inward.

CRUCIATE LIGAMENT SURGERIES:
The following patients were all seen for Cranial Cruciate Ligament rupture or tear.
This is similar to a football player’s ACL injury.
There are two surgeries that Dr. Dew uses to repair/correct CCL injuries:
- TTA (tibial tuberosity advancement)
- EFS (external fascial strip)
With either of these surgeries, each of these babies will have strict confinement for the first 2 weeks after surgery, and then gradually increased exercise (controlled with leash) for the next 8-10 weeks after that. Physical therapy and medical therapy, which could include Glycoflex III (joint supplement) and an NSAID called Previcox if not previously on a different NSAID, will play a critical role in the patient’s recovery.
BUCK is an 11yr old 66# Mix breed canine. His veterinarian is Dr. Allison Patchell at Patchell Veterinary Clinic. Buck had an acute onset of right rear lameness, and Dr. Patchell identified a right CCL rupture. His owners decided on a right TTA.

KAIBA is a 8yr old 97.9# Labrador retriever. His veterinarian is Dr. Chris Gentry at Vilonia Animal Clinic. Kaiba had a history of chronic right rear lameness that had become worse over the previous several weeks. Dr. Gentry identified a CCL injury. Kaiba’s owners wished to proceed with a right TTA.

HARRY is a Jack Russell terrier. He is 7yrs old and weighs 19#. His veterinarian is Dr. Eduard Meyer at Berryhill Animal Hospital. Harry had a history of acute onset left rear lameness. Dr. Meyer identified a left CCL injury. Harry was transported from the Memphis area for a left TTA.

MERLIN is a 22#, 10yr 3mo old Westie (West Highland white terrier). His veterinarian is Dr. Theresa Schluterman at Pointer Trail Animal Clinic. Merlin has been doing very well on both rear limbs since August 2009. Back then, he had a left TTA and right MPL (medial patellar luxation) surgery. More recently, he had become lame on his right rear. Dr. Schluterman identified a right CCL injury. Merlin’s owners were pleased with his history and recovery from left TTA surgery, and opted for a right TTA.








BELLA
JOSIE
MONIQUE
SADIE
MR GABBY
PRECIOUS
LEXIE
NIKKI
EBONY
LADY