Dr. B's Veterinary Buzz
Friday, September 7, 2012
Dog Fun on Pinterest!
All the same pinterest gives you a nice little escape and way to organize all these super cute projects that you can do for you family and for your pets. Below are just a few of my favorite pins for dog crates! Enjoy and I would love to hear what projects you've done or dreamed about doing for your pets.
Using a old t.v. console to make a cute little dog bed. From: http://whenthedinnerbellrings.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2012-06-24T10:25:00-05:00&max-results=1&start=10&by-date=false
Cute combination of dog crate and night stand. This blog link has a whole bunch of super cute creative. From: http://wooftalkkw.wordpress.com/2012/07/06/cool-creative-way-to-design-dog-beds/
I loved this in and outdoor mudroom kennel system. No link for this one (that happens sometimes on the boards), but still a very nice idea.
Cute crate combined with a kitchen eating area. Found at: http://www.countryhome.com/decorating/realliferedo/remodelingstory_6.html.
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Canine Mast Cell Tumors.
This is follow up from my first case which is found at :
http://drbsvetbuzz.blogspot.com/2012/02/what-is-your-diagnosis-case-1-lumpy-lab.html
This is a case that is dear to my heart as it is my own dog, Tahoe. Tahoe is a 11 year old lab mix that I have had since I was a senior in veterinary school. She is often in the clinic with me, or in my Subaru Outback waiting to go for a run. She is the best dog I have ever had (and I have had a lot), a real one of kind dog. She has one major flaw though, she gets lots and lots of tumors. Tahoe's growths are typically what is called a mast cell tumor (MCT).
I have a saying that you might hear me use in the exam room, "A lump is just a lump until I stick a needle in it.". Not sure when and why I started saying this, but it is true all the same. Your pets growth or lump you've felt while petting is just a growth until a fine-needle aspirate is taken. A fine needle aspirate, is a simple procedure that typically can take place in the exam room. A small gauge needle will be inserted into the mass, and a small amount of cells will be retrieved. The cells will then be stained or sent to a special lab and may eventually look something like the cells in the image above.
Mast cells are cell of the immune system and can be found throughout the body and skin. As seen in the image above they are cell that has tiny granules containing different chemicals that cause inflammation. Probably the most important mast cell chemical affecting the skin is histamine. Mast cell tumors are the most common skin tumor in dogs, accounting for roughly 20% of all reported skin tumors. These tumors are often single firm growths that may be coming form the skin (cutaneous) or under the skin (subcutanous). They may or may not be haired, ulcerated, reddened or painful. They may feel like a lipoma (a simple benign fatty tumor) if located below the skin. Like I stated before, these are like any other lump until I stick a needle in it and they are just a lump.
Both professionally (on patients) and personally (on my own pets) I have seen that MCT can behave a little differently. They will be a firm mass one day and then almost gone the next day. Then a few days later they are back and firm. This is because they are such a reactive type growth and the release of histamine and heparin can make the growth change several times.
Once I stain my aspirate and look at it under the microscope, the diagnosis is made. Sometimes I will send these a pathologist (a veterinarian that specializes in diagnosis of diseases or pathology), for another opinion or further classification of the diagnosis. MCT's are very unpredictable in their behavior, meaning that they can be a tumor that has a very slow growth rate or they can be a tumor that is extremely aggressive. Sending it to a pathologist can often tell me what grade the tumor is, and allow me to form a better treatment plan.
MCT's can have metastatic sites, areas where cancerous cells have spread to but it is not very common. In the next follow up blog post, I will talk about the treatment for mast cell tumors and also other factors that would influence how a patient would do if they had a MCT.
The take away points are:
- A growth is just a growth until you stick a needle in it! Any growth that you find should be pointed out to your veterinarian and if possible a fine needle aspirate taken. All types of tumors are easier to remove when smaller, and a cure can be achieved. And yes I know some dogs have ALOT of lumps and bumps, and luckily most of these will be benign but, I have removed 7 MCT from my own dog so you never know.
- Mast Cell Tumors (MCT) are the most common skin tumor in the dog.
- Mast Cell Tumors (MCT) are composed of mast cells which are cell of the immune system and they are a granular cell that contains histamine and heparin.
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Running with Rover.
Monday, April 16, 2012
Its Good to Be Back!
Last week was my first week back to work and it seems fitting then that I get my blog back up and running too. I couldn't have a veterinary blog and not mention my children though, as they shape me as veterinarian and visa versa. For me life isn't divided into nice little seperate pieces one aspect of my life always seems to influences the other pieces or in a more messy way they spill and splatter carelessly back and forth.
When I was a little girl, and even a teenager I never really thought about children. I didn't babysit. I was the youngest in the family so there was no younger sibling to take care of. Friends of mine would be drawn to children at social functions, I was drawn to animals. I rarely if ever thought about having children but often thought of my career as a veterinarian. Any maternal feelings were I had were typically placed onto the care of pets and stray animals.
I focused from high-school and then eight years of school on becoming a veterinarian. I had a social life I enjoyed, and later a husband. I still didn't think much about children. I don't know if I just had enough on my plate at the time, or the idea hadn't come to the surface. I simply kept on working (which was plenty) and moving forward. Why the need to have children came to us, I don't know. I blame it on age and biology. Luckily though it did because I most say they are my greatest accomplisment to date. It also brings my husband and I our greatest joy.
That being said, one of the gifts my daughters have given me is that they have helped me realize how truely blessed I am to be a veterinarian. Thats not to say that I don't love being a mother and love being at home with them every chance that I get. But it because both my pregnancies had major complications, I was forced to take 5 months off with each one. The longest periods of time that I have ever had not working in my adult life.
During my time away I do my best to keep busy (as busy as you can be in a NICU or on bedrest). And I sobbed for days before I have to go back to work and leave my daughters at home while I go back to work. All the same, both times after being gone, it all comes back to me the moment I enter an exam room.
I have been blessed to find a profession that I truely love. The joy of talking to clients, the patient with a happy tail or a quick tongue, it all comes back in a flash. I can lose myself in my work and quickly become engrossed in complicated cases, and the simple routine of a veterinary practice. I am eager to see the day move on and keep people and the pets happy and healthy. This is the profession I wanted and dreamed it to be, and I know that there are many people out there that have never been as lucky as I to find their true passion.
The days and nights of a working mom are long, exhausting, and more than a little emotional. Overall though, doing the best I can both at home and at work makes me a better person and stronger veterinarian.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Is there anything more precious?
Monday, February 20, 2012
What is your diagnosis? Case #1 The Lumpy Lab-Mix.
Disclaimer: The information contained here is intended solely for the general information of the reader. It is not intended to diagnose health problems or to take the place of professional medical care. The information contained herein is neither intended to dictate what constitutes reasonable, appropriate or best care for any given health issue, nor is it intended to be used as a substitute for the independent judgment of a veterinarian for any given health issue.
You will see this disclaimer at the bottom of all my post. Obviously I always want you to consult with you veterinarian about any and all of your pets needs. This blog should be fun and entertaining but not replace your professional. The opinions stated in this blog, though supported by medical data, journal articles and my professional experience are only one opinion on a wide variety of topics. I feel that medicine is truly an art and there is not a single answer or cure in any situation. Just as each pet is unique and different, so to is their medical journey.
I hope to have a series of what is your diagnosis blogs. They will be multiple entries or part series. I welcome your comments and questions and will try to respond accordingly. The names and pictures used will have had owner approval or been changed, any coincidence in relation to your own pet is only a coincidence. They may represent several cases combined for better reading. I think we can all learn best from a case base approach!
Case #1-- The Lumpy Lab Mix
The appointment is for checking a lump. Patient is a ten year old lab mix, named Terra. Terra is current on her vaccines, dewormer and flea preventative. Bloodwork was done in the last six months, and was normal. She takes no medications besides her monthly flea and internal parasite control. Per owner she has been happy and healthy lately. Maybe a little slower, but it is winter and she is showing her age a bit more. No change in eating and drinking.
She is a perfect body condition at 33 lbs, and no change from her last visit. Her color is pink, and moist. She has minor dental disease and staining to her back teeth. Her heart and chest sound normal with the stethoscope. Her lymph-nodes all feel normal. Her abdomen palpates normal. Besides the lump or growth on her thigh you don't feel anything else on her, but do notice several scars. She is nervous but, friendly and wants to hide between her owners legs.
She has a soft lump or mass on her left thigh. It is irregular shape but about 1-3 cm. The owner noticed it about two weeks ago when petting her. It is not painful, and can be moved under the skin (we often call this a subcutaneous mass, meaning under the skin (dermis) in the layer before muscle. Terra does have a history of several growths, some which have been removed and some that were determined to be benign. The owner loves her dearly, and wants to make sure this one isn't cancer though it just feels like fat.
What should you do first?
Are there any questions that should be asked of the owner?
What would be the next testing that might help in this case?
Monday, January 9, 2012
Dr. B: The Who, the What and the Why that writes this blog.
The Why: