Monday, June 18, 2012

Day 19: Fungal Infection Pneumonia, Coyote Bite, Hypothermia


                When I first came in today, I saw we had a black-coated retriever named Jett who was in a closed cage receiving a humidifier-like treatment.  Pat told me she had some sort of pneumonia (the doctors thought it may have been a fungal infection because the x-rays showed a white fuzz-like substance throughout the lungs, and Jett had some lesions [wounds] on her body that looked like fungal lesions; but they weren’t able to tell for a fact that it was indeed a fungal infection), and the saline nebulizer was acting as a humidifier to help try and break up her congestion and all the junk that was in her lungs.  She was also receiving oxygen, as well as the antibiotics Baytril (helps treat respiratory infections), Doxycycline (helps fight bacterial infections), and Clindamycin (helps fight severe bacterial infections in the lungs by stopping the growth of bacteria).  She’s a bit lethargic and having a little difficulty breathing, but other than that she doesn’t seem to be doing too bad, so hopefully that continues and she will be able to fight off the pneumonia.
Jett recieving the 'humidifier' (saline nebulizer) treatment.

X-rays #1 (on the left) and #2 (on the right) of Jett's lungs.  Some white, foggy spots/swirls can be seen in the lungs, which id the fluid/possible fungal infection.  #1 was taken when Jett first came in yesterday, and #2 was taken today to see if there was any improvement.

More X-rays of Jett's lungs, taken at a different view.

One of the lesions (most likely fungal) on Jett. 

                The other two major patients we had today (it was another slow day with no surgeries) were a poodle named Daisy and a Domestic Short-Haired kitten named Tex.  Daisy had been bitten by a coyote a couple weeks ago (she had gone to a different animal hospital when that happened), and received a broken rib as well as a few other minor injuries that required some sutures.  She had a large chest bandaging/cast to stabilize her ribs, and she was getting the bandage and sutures off today as well as re-check x-rays.  She was a very nervous little poodle.  Her owners were supposed to bring the first x-rays that were taken at the other hospital so we could compare them, but they didn’t so we had nothing to compare our x-rays to.  Dr. Amanda thought the x-rays looked okay, though, so she told the owner that Daisy seemed to be healed and could go home without getting any re-bandaging.  Tex is here because he has hypothermia (extremely low body temperature), hypoglycemia (glucose deficiency in the blood), and excessive diarrhea.  He is in a heated incubator with heating pads and blankets, and he is on the medication metronidazole (used to treat urinary and anal infections, so to help with the diarrhea).  He was also being given (and force-fed, since he didn’t feel well and didn’t want to eat) lots of food as well as some sugary substances to raise his glucose levels. Hopefully he will be getting better as well.
Daisy the Poodle.

Tex, the Domestic Short-Haired cat.

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