Issue003 | Date: February 2021 | Tel:01463 218822 | Email:info@scotvetref.co.uk
PRACTICE UPDATE
Since our last newsletter we have been busy
making changes at Scottish Vet Referrals and
have recently converted a previous office into
our third consulting room.
SURGERY
We are pleased to announce the return of an orthopaedic and soft tissue surgical service to Scottish Veterinary Referrals.
Our surgeon, Scott Rigg, is an RCVS recognised advanced practitioner in small animal surgery. Scott founded a surgical referral service in Aberdeen over 10 years ago, and with the help of his colleagues grew it into an award-winning, multi-disciplinary veterinary referral hospital.
Initially we will be offering largely elective surgeries, with expansion planned as the year proceeds. As a guide we will offer services including:
- Lameness investigation and treatment with access to an onsite CT scanner and arthroscopy
- Cruciate ligament surgery by Tibial Plateau Levelling Osteotomy or other techniques if indicated
- Patellar luxation treatment
- Triple Pelvic Osteotomy to treat hip dysplasia in selected cases
- Soft tissue surgeries such as Total Ear Canal Ablation/Lateral Bulla Osteotomy and mass removals.
In some instances, depending on availability, we may be in a position to offer spinal decompressive surgery or fracture repair.
DERMATOLOGY AND ACUPUNCTURE
Another exciting addition to our team is Dominique. Dominique Baranska is a VWAG accredited Veterinary Acupuncturist and is currently completing her post graduate certificate in Dermatology. She has completed the theory modules and is due to sit her examination in May 2022. Dominique will visit the practice every Thursday and Friday, offering the following services:
Dermatology investigations including:
– Coat brushing
– Skin scraping
– Tape impressions
– Trichograms
– Cytological examinations
– Biopsy
– Dermatophyte culture and PCR
– Wood’s lamp examination
– Bacterial culture
– Blood tests
– Allergy testing
– Immunotherapy
Acupuncture for:
– Orthopaedic and neuropathic conditions
– Pre and post operative pain
– Skin conditions
– Urogenital conditions
– Behavioural changes
– Musculoskeletal pain and tension
If you have a case where you think referral would be suitable, please contact our reception team on 01463 218822. A referral can be made by sending a covering email, with full medical history and any lab results/images attached, to info@scotvetref.co.uk
CASE STUDY
Abby, an 8yr 11mo old female neutered Chihuahua was referred with a history of a heart murmur, cough and variable respiratory effort. Initial investigations by the referring vets had identified evidence of increased ventricular wall tension (ProBNP: 3724pmol/L).
On presentation: Abby collapsed in her owner’s arms. She was bradycardic and hypotensive. Thoracic auscultation revealed generalised rales and muffled heart sounds (Grade IV/VI left apical systolic heart murmur). Abby was stabilised with intravenous furosemide, pimobendane and oxygen supplementation before further investigations were carried out.
Electrocardiography – A 6 lead ECG revealed a normal sinus rhythm.
Echocardiography – Revealed a mitral valve leaflet thickening, septal leaflet flail and regurgitation with resultant left atrioventricular dilatation. A small volume of pericardial effusion and linear pericardial clot were noted. Abby’s right heart side of the heart was smaller and her right atrium collapsed inwards during systole.
Diagnosis – Chronic mitral valve degeneration (CMVD) & left atrial tear.
The results of the investigation show severe CMVD complicated by a left atrial tear. If Abby survived beyond a week, atrial tears can do surprisingly well on appropriate heart medication, but her prognosis was pessimistic. Abby was hospitalised and monitored overnight. The following morning she was clinically stable. A follow up echocardiography was performed and showed no evidence of worsening pericardial effusion.
Abby was sent home on Pimobendan, Libeo, Kaminox and strict rest.
Abby has done very well following her atrial tear. She was rechecked 3 months later and although there had been some progression of her chronic mitral valve degeneration, Abby’s pericardial haemorrhage, clot and atrial tear were no longer present.
