Lives Saved
Acupuncture & Holistic Care
Canine Reproduction
Emergency & Urgent Care
Exotic Pets
Internal Medicine
Oncology
Canine Reproduction
Emergency & Urgent Care
Exotic Pets
Internal Medicine
Oncology
Our lives are touched every day by the animals we treat and the families who care for them. It never ceases to amaze us how these remarkable animals beat the odds under extraordinary circumstances - providing kisses, purrs and tail-wags along the way.
It is not surprising that these pets have survived because of the love and devotion of their caretakers and the veterinarians who have treated them. It is because of the incredible animal-human bond that many pets have endured the unthinkable and we can write about them today.
Many of the stories below were written by our clients or the doctors who have treated them. If you would like to share your pet’s story please submit your story and picture to erin@webvets.com
Acupuncture and Holistic Care
I had looked at each puppy cage with care but the puppy eyes staring out at me had yet to melt my heart. That is until I came to the cage of one sad looking pup. His eyes told a story of sorrow and I reached out to his cage, opened it, and stuck my hand in. Instantly I was met with one exuberant puppy; he was licking my arms, wagging his tail and I soon found him in my arms. He was the one.
Three days later, Christmas Day, in fact, the one puppy that stole my heart was soon breaking it. Buddy had parvo and his outlook was not very good. After a week in ICU at the first vet hospital we could find, Buddy recovered, though it was not easy sailing after that. Countless visits followed; mites, allergies, yeast infections, chronic ear infections. Fed up with our (then) current vet who only seemed to want to pump more chemicals that were already not working into Buddy, I began my search for a new vet.
Dr. Gilman was the first doctor we saw at Bishop Ranch and boy did he have his work cut out for him. He listened to our rants and raves and walked along with us on our journey. We tried different medicines and approaches and also began to see Dr. Utchen when Dr. Gilman wasn’t available. He too, listened to our long list of woes. Finding ourselves still frustrated at the lack of results, but certainly not with the doctors that were actually listening to us (as no longer were steroids being pushed, and not only did my husband and I want a solution, but so did the doctors which was a welcome relief itself). I started to do more research and then made an appointment to see Dr. Easton. By this time I had begun a small list of holistic regimens, such as a raw diet, in the hopes of aiding Buddy on his road to health. With the advocacy of Dr. Easton and support of Dr. Utchen we began a new regimen that included Traditional Chinese Medicine. There were many questions that arose along the way, but I am happy to report that Buddy has never been healthier or happier. Check-ups with both doctors end on happy notes and both doctors remain supportive and patient, as my questions have surely not stopped.
People often ask why we travel so far to see our vet, and maybe sometimes they think we’re one of those crazy dog people. Honestly, I really do not see any other option. We are treated like family at Bishop Ranch Veterinary Center, and it is because of the hard work and patience of Dr. Gilman, Dr. Utchen, and Dr. Easton that we have a happy, healthy dog- we couldn’t ask for more and the Kelly clan is forever grateful.
Nicole Kelly
Dr. Gilman was the first doctor we saw at Bishop Ranch and boy did he have his work cut out for him. He listened to our rants and raves and walked along with us on our journey. We tried different medicines and approaches and also began to see Dr. Utchen when Dr. Gilman wasn’t available. He too, listened to our long list of woes. Finding ourselves still frustrated at the lack of results, but certainly not with the doctors that were actually listening to us (as no longer were steroids being pushed, and not only did my husband and I want a solution, but so did the doctors which was a welcome relief itself). I started to do more research and then made an appointment to see Dr. Easton. By this time I had begun a small list of holistic regimens, such as a raw diet, in the hopes of aiding Buddy on his road to health. With the advocacy of Dr. Easton and support of Dr. Utchen we began a new regimen that included Traditional Chinese Medicine. There were many questions that arose along the way, but I am happy to report that Buddy has never been healthier or happier. Check-ups with both doctors end on happy notes and both doctors remain supportive and patient, as my questions have surely not stopped.
People often ask why we travel so far to see our vet, and maybe sometimes they think we’re one of those crazy dog people. Honestly, I really do not see any other option. We are treated like family at Bishop Ranch Veterinary Center, and it is because of the hard work and patience of Dr. Gilman, Dr. Utchen, and Dr. Easton that we have a happy, healthy dog- we couldn’t ask for more and the Kelly clan is forever grateful.
Nicole Kelly
Canine Reproduction
Age: 4 years
Breed: Pug
Diagnosis: C-section / Puppy Evaluations Lola was bred through artificial insemination. After her initial ultrasound exam (which revealed 5-7 fetuses), progesterone testing and ovulation timing, Dr. Cain was able to predict an accurate c-section date One month later, Dr. Cain successfully delivered all seven puppies via c-section. The ability to accurately schedule a c-section date ensures that the puppies are delivered healthy and without the complications of a natural delivery. Today Lola is doing well and her puppies have been placed in pet and show homes. Summary
Lola was closely monitored by Dr. Cain from the time of her initial exam to delivery. Dr. Cain also provided veterinary evaluation exams when the puppies were six weeks old. Veterinary evaluation exams include a physical exam and a thorough report detailing the puppy’s weight, health, physical condition, treatments given, vaccinations and microchip information. These reports provide invaluable information for the breeder, and for the new owners when selecting a puppy for adoption.
Age: 3 years
Breed: Belgian Tervuren
Procedure: Transcervical Insemination Marji's owners came to Dr. Cain to breed their maiden bitch with frozen semen from an accomplished dog that had since passed away. During their first pre-breeding exam, Marji's owner requested she be inseminated using the Surgical Insemination method. Marji's owners elected to try the TCI procedure and committed to driving several hours every other day to San Ramon for progesterone testing. . Marji's owners elected to try the TCI procedure and committed to every other day progesterone testing. The frozen semen was sent in advance and after interpreting the progesterone results and determining the right time for breeding, Dr. Cain successfully performed two TCI procedures 24-hours apart.
Marji returned for a mid-term ultrasound appointment which revealed she was carrying 5-6 fetuses. Marji delivered 5 happy and healthy puppies a few weeks later. Summary
Dr. Cain works with her clients to develop customized breeding programs and will recommend procedures that work best for owners and their pets. In Marji's case, there were two options available for insemination. Both the surgical and TCI methods achieve the same result by allowing deposition of semen into the uterus, however, anesthesia is not required for TCI -- thus reducing the risks to the pet. In addition the owner will appreciate another benefit of TCI: the cost is significantly lower than surgery.
Emergency & Urgent Care
Age: 9 years
Breed: Rottweiler
Diagnosis: Pancreatic Abscess Brutus Adams, a 9 year old male Rottweiler came to Bishop Ranch Veterinary Center & Urgent Care because he was vomiting, lethargic and had a decreased appetite. Initially, Brutus had been seen by a general practitioner a few days earlier, who did standard diagnostic tests and started conventional treatment. After a few days, it appeared this treatment was not enough for Brutus -- he was getting worse. His family decided they needed a second opinion from a Veterinary Internist. Dr. Cain examined Brutus and used 'x-ray' and ultrasound for a more thorough diagnosis. Dr. Cain located a mass on the pancreas and he was immediately scheduled for surgery to remove the abscess. Dr. Cain managed Brutus's post-operative care by closely monitoring his medications and blood work. Brutus continued to improve and is still doing well today. Brutus continues to see Dr. Cain for rechecks and his family is very happy with the outcome.
Age: 15 years
Breed: Mixed
Diagnosis: Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus (GDV or Canine Bloat) Pepe is a 15 year old mixed breed who was admitted to the hospital for emergency care because he had been repeatedly vomiting and was very uncomfortable. After his initial examination and x-rays, Dr. Leanne Taylor determined that Pepe's stomach had twisted around on itself and was rapidly distending with gas. He was diagnosed with Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus (GDV), or Canine Bloat. Pepe was immediately prepped for surgery due to the seriousness of his condition. After two hours of surgery and two days of hospitalization he made a full recovery. We are pleased to report that Pepe is happy and doing well today. Summary: Canine Bloat is a life-threatening condition. In this case, a number of factors contributed to saving Pepe's life, especially the quick action taken by his owners in recognizing a potential emergency. The ability of our doctors to quickly diagnose patients using advanced technologies such as digital radiography and ultrasound equipment, the capability to perform immediate on-site blood testing, and the skill and training required to perform these complicated emergency surgeries all contributed to Pepe's rapid diagnosis and life saving treatment. Our extended hours meant that Pepe could be treated by his regular veterinarian in a familiar setting, rather than having to drive to a separate emergency clinic. Click here to download our GDV client handout.
Age: 8 weeks
Breed: Newfoundland
Diagnosis: Canine Parvovirus Moby’s owners had recently adopted him from a breeder who informed them that the litter of puppies had been exposed to Canine Parvovirus, a serious and highly contagious virus that attacks the gastrointestinal tract of puppies and dogs. Although initial tests performed shortly after being exposed to the virus came up negative, Moby later began vomiting and developed diarrhea. He was admitted to Bishop Ranch Veterinary Center & Urgent Care for emergency care and this time tested positive for the Parvovirus. Moby spent six days in the hospital in critical condition on IV fluids. He received multiple plasma transfusions in addition to intravenous antibiotics, anti-viral medications, medications to control vomiting, and pain medications. After the most critical week of his young life, Moby made a complete recovery and is on his way to a full, healthy life. Summary: The Parvovirus causes a life-threatening illness in dogs. However, Moby was lucky; his owners were proactive in bringing him to the vet to be checked when he first became sick, which meant his disease was diagnosed in the early stages. Moby also received 24-hour patient care, which allowed our veterinarians and technicians to observe his condition continually and administer medications frequently. Our in-house laboratory allowed us to monitor blood and protein levels to determine if and when transfusions were needed. Because Parvovirus is contagious, Moby was cared for in our Isolation Ward for his own well being and for that of the rest of our hospitalized patients. Today, Moby is fully recovered and is a happy and normal dog. In fact, his owners plan on returning the favor and will be enrolling Moby in the Bishop Ranch Veterinary Center & Urgent Care Blood Donor Program so he can help other puppies and dogs in need. Click here to download Parvovirus Handout
Age: 4 years
Breed: Pembroke Welsh Corgi
Diagnosis: Pancreatitis Last Thanksgiving day our family drove up to Lake Tahoe with our two Corgis in tow to spend a few days. By Thursday evening Zaha did not seem like herself. She refused to eat dinner. She went to bed early and woke up at 1 a.m. and vomited quite a few times. She stayed up for the next few hours vomiting and running outside with horrible diarrhea. We were very worried about our girl, but there was not a 24-hour vet anywhere close by. We waited until the next morning and brought her to a vet in Lake Tahoe. Luckily he was able to see her right away; he did blood work and x-rays and diagnosed her with acute pancreatitis. He said she would require an overnight hospital stay. I asked if they had 24-hour staff to stay with her throughout the night. He said no, she would be “on her own” during the night. This was not acceptable to us. If our baby was sick enough to stay in the hospital someone better be there to watch her. We asked the vet to get her started on an IV and we decided to drive her to Bishop Ranch that day. I knew that you had 24-hour staff and that was the only way we felt comfortable leaving our girl overnight. We called the office that morning and told them that we would be coming later in the day. We arrived that afternoon and the staff was completely ready for us. The doctor assigned to her case was wonderful! She spent a lot of time talking with us and reviewing the other vet's notes to get the complete picture of the case. She was very thorough and agreed that Zaha should stay the night. A few hours after we left Zaha, the doctor called us to let us know that Zaha was doing well, and that she was leaving for the night. She told us that we were welcome to call the hospital at any hour of the night to speak to the tech and check on Zaha. This call really put my mind at ease. Just knowing that I could call at any time was just the peace of mind I needed. Pancreatitis can be fatal. The doctor called the next morning to let us know that Zaha was doing great. She spent a lot of time on the phone with me answering my questions. She wanted to keep her for a few more hours, but we were able to pick her up later that day. Zaha was back to her sassy self when we came to get her; she looked great. The doctor also called us the day after we got Zaha home to see how she was doing -- I really appreciate that kind of follow-up -- I felt like she really cared about her. We completely trust your facility to give our babies the best of care. Sybil Slavin
Age: 4 years
Breed: Domestic Short Hair, Black
Diagnosis: Hit by car, fractured skull I found out first hand just how important it is to have a state of the art veterinary facility here in San Ramon. A few years ago, my cat Raider was hit by a car. I was sure that he was dying. It was before 9 a.m., but I knew that Bishop Ranch Veterinary Center had emergency care. I rushed him to the hospital and within minutes a doctor had checked him over. Raider's skull was cracked from the top of his head to the roof of his mouth. They seemed very confident and assured me that at this facility and with their experienced staff, Raider had a good chance of survival. Raider was placed in an incubator and was given medication to help with the swelling of his brain. They kept him snuggled up in blankets and continually checked on him. The vet techs would even come in on their days off to hold him and make sure he was comfortable. I was constantly updated on his condition whether I was there or not. I knew that everything was being done to help Raider recover. Recovery was very difficult, but the staff was always there for me every step of the way. They supported me and helped me so much through this extraordinary journey. Raider is still improving today and is still very loving. The devotion and knowledge of Bishop Ranch Veterinary Center & Urgent Care is unsurpassed. I am so thankful to Bishop Ranch for saving my cat Raider, he is my best friend. Susan Wenner
San Ramon, CA
Age: 5 years
Breed: Mixed
Diagnosis: Rattlesnake bite We would like to thank you and your dedicated staff for the treatment and care you gave Brownie after being bitten by a rattlesnake. The staff was most impressive in their professionalism and the affection they displayed while attending her. We also appreciate that you allowed us to stay with her for most of the day and into the night. It's obvious by the affection given her, while showing the same for the many other animals they were caring for at the same time that your staff truly loves animals and are committed to providing the best care and comfort possible.
Castro Valley, CA Read about the Rattlesnake vaccine and Brownie’s Story that appeared in the Contra Costa Times by: Clicking Here
Age: 4 years
Breed: Newfoundland
Diagnosis: Heatstroke On September 15, 2010 Tucker and I set out for Starbucks -- a common and often visited destination of ours. It was a warm day, but not unusually hot -- he has walked in much hotter conditions many times before so I did not think the weather was a problem when I checked the temperature. Upon returning home, Tucker was drooling and panting as he always does, but he was walking abnormally and was non responsive when I talked to him. I feared heatstroke as I had just read about it the day before at our vet's office. We immediately hosed him down to cool him off as much as possible and lifted our unresponsive 140 lb dog (this was so difficult emotionally and physically) into the car and rushed him to our vet's office, Bishop Ranch Veterinary Center. When we got there, they were waiting for us in the parking lot with a stretcher! His temperature was at least 110 degrees – the thermometer only goes to 110 so it may have been higher! Dr. Michele Dodd and her team were very concerned and honest in telling us that they have never seen a dog survive this condition with this high of a temperature -- the situation was grave and his survival did not look promising -- but they would do everything they could to save him! Over the next two days he was in critical condition as his organs/system had shut down and he was bleeding internally – unable to clot. He was on numerous machines, getting IV's and Plasma units around the clock; it was serious and very frightening. The entire hospital staff could not have been more kind, sensitive, thorough, patient and concerned for Tucker. We received frequent phone calls with updates from the doctors and nurses and there was always someone available to talk to in the middle of the night when I would call unable to sleep. They let us visit him whenever we wanted and we would stay with him as long as we liked. Dr. Dodd was incredibly professional -- going the extra mile -- she even consulted with holistic doctors for other healing options. I know Tucker was not her only patient but she sure made us feel like he was! By the third day, we were so thankful to learn that Tucker was going to survive -- only time would tell if he would have any long-term health concerns. He remained at the hospital for another three days until his vitals were consistent and he was healthy enough to come home. We are truly so thankful and blessed that Tucker had the care he received as he would likely not be with us today if he had been elsewhere. Thanks to everyone at Bishop Ranch Veterinary Center, we still have our sweet beast! Tucker enjoys going to the hospital and seeing all his friends and fans! Each time he does he reminds them that because of their efforts and care, he is a "survivor"! Megan K.
Exotic Pets
Topper and Brumby Kennedy
Breed: Guinea Pigs
Diagnosis: Bladder stones Brumby and Topper, two guinea pigs, didn’t realize how lucky they were when they were rescued by Deb Kennedy. Many people don’t understand their charm, but guinea pigs have distinct personalities and behaviors that make them wonderful, entertaining pets. Deb is a dedicated owner and provided them with a large enclosure, lots to eat, and everything they could possibly need. One day, however, Topper started squealing randomly as if he was in pain. Examination and ultrasound revealed a stone in his urinary bladder, which was causing difficulty urinating and discomfort. Topper was taken to surgery that day and the stone was removed. Overnight hospitalization and good nursing care at home led to a full recovery. Maybe he resented the special attention that Topper received during his convalescence, because not to be outdone, almost exactly a year later, Brumby developed bloody urine and squealing. His exam and ultrasound revealed the same problem, a stone in his bladder. Just like his brother, he went to surgery, had the stone removed, and made a full recovery. Guinea pigs have unique anatomy and require some special husbandry and medical care, but their health problems can be the same as dogs and cats. While specialized treatment and technique can be required for their veterinary care, they can make full recoveries through major illness and surgery, as shown TWICE, by Deb Kennedy, Brumby, and Topper.
Breed: Guinea Pigs
Diagnosis: Bladder stones Brumby and Topper, two guinea pigs, didn’t realize how lucky they were when they were rescued by Deb Kennedy. Many people don’t understand their charm, but guinea pigs have distinct personalities and behaviors that make them wonderful, entertaining pets. Deb is a dedicated owner and provided them with a large enclosure, lots to eat, and everything they could possibly need. One day, however, Topper started squealing randomly as if he was in pain. Examination and ultrasound revealed a stone in his urinary bladder, which was causing difficulty urinating and discomfort. Topper was taken to surgery that day and the stone was removed. Overnight hospitalization and good nursing care at home led to a full recovery. Maybe he resented the special attention that Topper received during his convalescence, because not to be outdone, almost exactly a year later, Brumby developed bloody urine and squealing. His exam and ultrasound revealed the same problem, a stone in his bladder. Just like his brother, he went to surgery, had the stone removed, and made a full recovery. Guinea pigs have unique anatomy and require some special husbandry and medical care, but their health problems can be the same as dogs and cats. While specialized treatment and technique can be required for their veterinary care, they can make full recoveries through major illness and surgery, as shown TWICE, by Deb Kennedy, Brumby, and Topper.
Lightening Hendricks
Breed: Desert Tortoise
Diagnosis: Trauma to legs and abdomen Having a pet in the family for over 50 years seems nearly impossible, but the Hendricks estimate that Lightening, their not-so-speedy California Desert Tortoise, is probably over 60 years old. She has lived in their yard for, literally, decades. Last September, however, they found her not moving, with large gaping wounds in front of both of her rear legs. The wounds were deep, all the way through the skin, perhaps entering the belly, and filled with debris and maggots. Lightening was understandably painful and ill, not moving much and losing interest in eating. She was sedated and her wounds were cleaned aggressively. She was hospitalized for two weeks with daily wound care, antibiotics, and force feedings, when finally the wounds looked clean enough to try to surgically close them. Under anesthesia, the wounds were surgically closed and a feeding tube placed so that the Hendricks could continue to medicate and feed her at home. Lightening seemed to be recovering at home when it started to get cold outside and her instinct to brumate (reptile version of hibernate) took over. At the end of October, her wounds were still not healed, but the feeding tube needed to be removed and she needed to be allowed to brumate. The Hendricks kept their fingers crossed that their aggressive care before her brumation would allow her to wake up in the spring still healthy and healing. In March of this year, Lightening “woke up” and started to eat on her own. A recheck revealed that the sutures could finally be removed. There were still small defects in the incision but they appeared to be healing without complication. The Hendricks still needed to clean the wounds and apply topical medication but it appeared Lightening would make a full recovery. As of June 2010, a final recheck has shown that Lightening has healed completely. The Hendricks are finally able to take a break from tending to her wounds, and are both happy and unhappy to report that she is healthy enough to be breaking into their garden and stealing green beans off their plants. While dogs may take weeks to heal, reptiles can take months or longer, but can recover from severe injuries given the proper care and time.
Breed: Desert Tortoise
Diagnosis: Trauma to legs and abdomen Having a pet in the family for over 50 years seems nearly impossible, but the Hendricks estimate that Lightening, their not-so-speedy California Desert Tortoise, is probably over 60 years old. She has lived in their yard for, literally, decades. Last September, however, they found her not moving, with large gaping wounds in front of both of her rear legs. The wounds were deep, all the way through the skin, perhaps entering the belly, and filled with debris and maggots. Lightening was understandably painful and ill, not moving much and losing interest in eating. She was sedated and her wounds were cleaned aggressively. She was hospitalized for two weeks with daily wound care, antibiotics, and force feedings, when finally the wounds looked clean enough to try to surgically close them. Under anesthesia, the wounds were surgically closed and a feeding tube placed so that the Hendricks could continue to medicate and feed her at home. Lightening seemed to be recovering at home when it started to get cold outside and her instinct to brumate (reptile version of hibernate) took over. At the end of October, her wounds were still not healed, but the feeding tube needed to be removed and she needed to be allowed to brumate. The Hendricks kept their fingers crossed that their aggressive care before her brumation would allow her to wake up in the spring still healthy and healing. In March of this year, Lightening “woke up” and started to eat on her own. A recheck revealed that the sutures could finally be removed. There were still small defects in the incision but they appeared to be healing without complication. The Hendricks still needed to clean the wounds and apply topical medication but it appeared Lightening would make a full recovery. As of June 2010, a final recheck has shown that Lightening has healed completely. The Hendricks are finally able to take a break from tending to her wounds, and are both happy and unhappy to report that she is healthy enough to be breaking into their garden and stealing green beans off their plants. While dogs may take weeks to heal, reptiles can take months or longer, but can recover from severe injuries given the proper care and time.
Benjamen Cook
Breed: Netherland Dwarf Bunny
Diagnosis: Stasis Rabbits have exquisitely sensitive intestinal tracts, and even a slight decrease in appetite or fecal production can be a sign of significant illness. Kathleen Cook monitors her beloved Netherland Dwarf Bunny, Benjamen, very carefully, as he has had numerous bouts of stasis, a condition in which the intestines fail to move properly, and is life-threatening in rabbits. Stasis can be caused by a variety of factors, most commonly inappropriate diet, but hairballs, dehydration and internal disease can also be factors. In some cases, like Benji, there is no definitive reason. Kathleen has learned to quickly recognize when he is off of his food, or when his feces become scant. He generally responds well to treatment, but usually requires hospitalization with force feedings, medication, and IV fluids. At the end of each episode, he is back to his normal self, resisting his force feedings and thumping at us in his cage, but his recovery is dependent on his astute owner and her quick action. While dogs and cats may miss a meal without causing much concern, a rabbit that is not eating is considered an emergency and should be seen by a veterinarian immediately.
Breed: Netherland Dwarf Bunny
Diagnosis: Stasis Rabbits have exquisitely sensitive intestinal tracts, and even a slight decrease in appetite or fecal production can be a sign of significant illness. Kathleen Cook monitors her beloved Netherland Dwarf Bunny, Benjamen, very carefully, as he has had numerous bouts of stasis, a condition in which the intestines fail to move properly, and is life-threatening in rabbits. Stasis can be caused by a variety of factors, most commonly inappropriate diet, but hairballs, dehydration and internal disease can also be factors. In some cases, like Benji, there is no definitive reason. Kathleen has learned to quickly recognize when he is off of his food, or when his feces become scant. He generally responds well to treatment, but usually requires hospitalization with force feedings, medication, and IV fluids. At the end of each episode, he is back to his normal self, resisting his force feedings and thumping at us in his cage, but his recovery is dependent on his astute owner and her quick action. While dogs and cats may miss a meal without causing much concern, a rabbit that is not eating is considered an emergency and should be seen by a veterinarian immediately.
Internal Medicine
Indiana Age: 3
Breed: Alaskan Malamute
Diagnosis: Prostatic Cystic Disease Indiana was a new patient to Bishop Ranch Veterinary Center and was scheduled to see Dr. Cain for a reproductive semen freezing procedure. Upon collection of the semen sample it was noted that there was a considerable amount of bright red blood in his semen. Indiana’s owner indicated that he had had chronic blood drainage from his penis intermittently for approximately a year. Indiana had been treated for a urinary tract infection (UTI) by his primary veterinarian, but his condition had not improved. Dr. Cain recommended a prostate and ultrasound exam which revealed cysts within the prostate. Prostatic cysts are uncommon and are usually found in older dogs. Unfortunately, Indiana had numerous cysts, many of which were larger in size. Indiana was immediately started on a course of antibiotics and Finasteride, a human male prostate medication. One month later there was no blood present in his semen and by his second follow-up appointment the number and size of the cysts had been greatly reduced. Today Indiana is doing great and has put on 15 pounds of muscle. Summary Indiana’s condition went undiagnosed until he was brought to Dr. Cain for a reproductive procedure. A common course of treatment might have been to neuter Indiana however, Dr. Cain was able to avoid this by formulating a treatment plan that will allow Indiana, a valuable-winning show dog to remain intact as a potential breeding dog.
Breed: Alaskan Malamute
Diagnosis: Prostatic Cystic Disease Indiana was a new patient to Bishop Ranch Veterinary Center and was scheduled to see Dr. Cain for a reproductive semen freezing procedure. Upon collection of the semen sample it was noted that there was a considerable amount of bright red blood in his semen. Indiana’s owner indicated that he had had chronic blood drainage from his penis intermittently for approximately a year. Indiana had been treated for a urinary tract infection (UTI) by his primary veterinarian, but his condition had not improved. Dr. Cain recommended a prostate and ultrasound exam which revealed cysts within the prostate. Prostatic cysts are uncommon and are usually found in older dogs. Unfortunately, Indiana had numerous cysts, many of which were larger in size. Indiana was immediately started on a course of antibiotics and Finasteride, a human male prostate medication. One month later there was no blood present in his semen and by his second follow-up appointment the number and size of the cysts had been greatly reduced. Today Indiana is doing great and has put on 15 pounds of muscle. Summary Indiana’s condition went undiagnosed until he was brought to Dr. Cain for a reproductive procedure. A common course of treatment might have been to neuter Indiana however, Dr. Cain was able to avoid this by formulating a treatment plan that will allow Indiana, a valuable-winning show dog to remain intact as a potential breeding dog.
Persia
Age: 1
Breed: Saluki
Diagnosis: Colitis Persia had been having abnormal stools and a suppressed appetite for several months. Her owner noted she would have severe stomach gurgling followed by bloody, mucoid diarrhea. Concerned she was not improving under her current treatment plan, she sought a second opinion from Dr. Cain. Initial blood work indicated a deficiency of vitamin B12 – a sign of intestinal disease. Persia was started on B12 supplements to help increase her appetite and improve the digestion of her food. She improved considerably but when she had a relapse, Dr. Cain performed a colonoscopy and biopsy results confirmed colitis.
Colitis is an inflammation of the colon and causes a variety of bowel problems. Most often, colitis causes diarrhea but it can also cause constipation – causing dogs to strain and pass very little stool. Some dogs lose weight and can become debilitated without treatment. The goal in treating chronic colitis is to suppress the inflammation in a pet's colon and prevent recurrence through diet change and drug therapy.
Summary
Dr. Cain instituted a specific treatment plan for Persia and regularly communicated with her owners via phone and email -- monitoring her progress every-step-of-the-way. Because colitis can be tricky to manage, the communication between client and doctor was essential for a successful outcome –allowing them to make adjustments in Persia’s diet and/or medications when needed. Today, Persia is thriving and her colitis is under control.
Age: 1
Breed: Saluki
Diagnosis: Colitis Persia had been having abnormal stools and a suppressed appetite for several months. Her owner noted she would have severe stomach gurgling followed by bloody, mucoid diarrhea. Concerned she was not improving under her current treatment plan, she sought a second opinion from Dr. Cain. Initial blood work indicated a deficiency of vitamin B12 – a sign of intestinal disease. Persia was started on B12 supplements to help increase her appetite and improve the digestion of her food. She improved considerably but when she had a relapse, Dr. Cain performed a colonoscopy and biopsy results confirmed colitis.
Tango
Age: 1
Breed: DMH Orange and White Tabby
Diagnosis: Epilepsy Tango was one of 4 kittens born to a feral cat living in a Livermore neighborhood. His mother had broken into an attic through a hole in the wall and had 4 kittens. Two fell into the wall and had to be cut out. Traps were set to capture mom and the remaining two kittens, but she was smart and moved them underneath a neighbor's house. It took several weeks to trap Tango as he became semi-feral due to the lack of human contact. Once trapped, Tango was in a foster home provided by Safe Cat Foundation where he was socialized, neutered, and provided with vaccinations. Tango thrived in his foster home and was adopted out at12-weeks-old. Not long after his adoption, Tango began twitching which eventually turned into seizures. Unfortunately, the family that adopted Tango already had a special-needs pet and it was too much for them to keep him, so he was returned. Tango's seizures became frequent and severe. Tango was eventually diagnosed by Dr. Michele Dodd with Epilepsy – a very rare disease in young cats. After months of veterinary visits, lots of telephone calls, and numerous tests and trials with medications, Tango's epilepsy was finally controlled. Safe Cat Foundation funded these medical expenses to diagnose and treat his epilepsy so that he was not euthanized. Tango's treatment included two medications, 3 times a day… for life. On medication, Tango lived like a normal kitten -- he was active, playful and loving. Best of all, Tango was seizure free. Tango is now over a year old and was recently adopted into his forever home. He is still playful, energetic, and very happy. He loves dogs, cats, and children. Looking at Tango today, you would never know the severity of his epilepsy or to what extent his foster family, Safe Cat Foundation, and Dr. Michele Dodd went to in order to save his life. It is an amazing story of dedication, devotion, faith, and love.
Age: 1
Breed: DMH Orange and White Tabby
Diagnosis: Epilepsy Tango was one of 4 kittens born to a feral cat living in a Livermore neighborhood. His mother had broken into an attic through a hole in the wall and had 4 kittens. Two fell into the wall and had to be cut out. Traps were set to capture mom and the remaining two kittens, but she was smart and moved them underneath a neighbor's house. It took several weeks to trap Tango as he became semi-feral due to the lack of human contact. Once trapped, Tango was in a foster home provided by Safe Cat Foundation where he was socialized, neutered, and provided with vaccinations. Tango thrived in his foster home and was adopted out at12-weeks-old. Not long after his adoption, Tango began twitching which eventually turned into seizures. Unfortunately, the family that adopted Tango already had a special-needs pet and it was too much for them to keep him, so he was returned. Tango's seizures became frequent and severe. Tango was eventually diagnosed by Dr. Michele Dodd with Epilepsy – a very rare disease in young cats. After months of veterinary visits, lots of telephone calls, and numerous tests and trials with medications, Tango's epilepsy was finally controlled. Safe Cat Foundation funded these medical expenses to diagnose and treat his epilepsy so that he was not euthanized. Tango's treatment included two medications, 3 times a day… for life. On medication, Tango lived like a normal kitten -- he was active, playful and loving. Best of all, Tango was seizure free. Tango is now over a year old and was recently adopted into his forever home. He is still playful, energetic, and very happy. He loves dogs, cats, and children. Looking at Tango today, you would never know the severity of his epilepsy or to what extent his foster family, Safe Cat Foundation, and Dr. Michele Dodd went to in order to save his life. It is an amazing story of dedication, devotion, faith, and love.
Oncology
Orthopedic Surgery
Each time I take one of my three Yorkies to the Bishop Ranch Vet Center & Urgent Care it is always a positive experience. The front desk staff and the doctors are always friendly and helpful. One experience I had with Cody, my little 6 lb. boy, was a traumatic one, but Dr. Pogrel helped Cody and I through it and turned a bad accident into a successful recovery.
When Cody was 8 months old he jumped out of my arms. He landed on the carpet at home, but he broke both of his front legs. He cried out in so much pain that I screamed too. I brought Cody in to see Dr. Pogrel. He scheduled Cody for surgery and gave us a few options, one of which was fastening metal rods with pins to Cody’s leg bones. Cody’s surgery went very well and I brought him home to heal for a month.
At his check-up Dr. Pogrel was concerned that Cody’s legs were depending too much on the metal rods rather than healing strong. He explained that normally the metal rods would be removed after the bones healed. In Cody’s case he recommended that the rods stay in permanently holding the bones together with four pins instead of eight. That would allow Cody’s bones to become stronger and rely less on the metal rods. Cody then had another surgery to remove the four pins from each leg and casts were put from his toes to his elbows allowing him to walk around and bend his legs.
Dr. Pogrel, the staff and the surgeons helped my little guy through a very traumatic experience and I’m grateful to all of them for their skill, dedication to caring for animals, and most of all their kindness. Cody may have been scared while at the vet center, but I know he was well cared for during his stay. He is now 5 years old and is doing extraordinarily well after all that he has been through. Cody is a happy little Yorkie with very strong legs! He is “The Bionic Dog”!
Cindy Bennett
Patient Care
Flannagan Dennis
Age: 8 years
Breed: Rough Coated Collie
Diagnosis: Neurologic Disease/ Stroke One night, Laura and Steve Dennis found their dog, Flannagan, a beautiful 8 year old rough coated collie, recumbent on the floor and unable to get up. He had been fine earlier in the day and they had no idea what could have caused him to acutely collapse. They rushed him to Bishop Ranch Veterinary Center, where he was assessed and it was determined that he suffered from some kind of acute neurologic disease. He was placed in the hospital overnight for supportive care and observation, but his neurologic status seemed to only worsen as the night progressed. By morning, he was disoriented, rolling in his bed, and was clearly distressed. The Dennis family decided that they wanted to do whatever they could for Flannagan, and that meant a MRI to determine the specific cause of his brain disease. Working closely with specialists, we were able to refer Flannagan to the local neurologist and by that afternoon we had learned that he had suffered an ischemic infarct, a blood clot in the brain, basically, a stroke. Dogs, just like people, can recover from strokes, but again, just like people, we cannot predict what level of permanent damage has occurred. Without knowing whether Flannagan would ever be able to walk again, the Dennis’ decided that they would give him time. He stayed at the specialty hospital for a week with only a little improvement. He was able to sit up slightly, was able to eat and drink, but could barely move his legs and was definitely not able to get up. While they weren’t able to take on the task of nursing care at home, they also weren’t ready to give up on Flannagan, so he was transferred back to Bishop Ranch Veterinary Center & Urgent Care for further nursing care. While he was weak, he always seemed to have a spark in his eye. The doctors and staff worked with him multiple times a day. They loaded him into slings and used a lift table to get him used to feeling his feet under him. He started to move his feet slightly after a couple of days, then amazingly, a few days later, pulled himself up and took a few steps. It was a long road to recovery, but now Flannagan looks like a normal dog. He trots and plays, goes on long walks, and the Dennis family couldn’t be happier. They never gave up on Flannagan and he never gave up on himself, leading to a full recovery with the cooperation and efforts of the Dennis family, local specialists, and the staff at Bishop Ranch Veterinary Center.
Age: 8 years
Breed: Rough Coated Collie
Diagnosis: Neurologic Disease/ Stroke One night, Laura and Steve Dennis found their dog, Flannagan, a beautiful 8 year old rough coated collie, recumbent on the floor and unable to get up. He had been fine earlier in the day and they had no idea what could have caused him to acutely collapse. They rushed him to Bishop Ranch Veterinary Center, where he was assessed and it was determined that he suffered from some kind of acute neurologic disease. He was placed in the hospital overnight for supportive care and observation, but his neurologic status seemed to only worsen as the night progressed. By morning, he was disoriented, rolling in his bed, and was clearly distressed. The Dennis family decided that they wanted to do whatever they could for Flannagan, and that meant a MRI to determine the specific cause of his brain disease. Working closely with specialists, we were able to refer Flannagan to the local neurologist and by that afternoon we had learned that he had suffered an ischemic infarct, a blood clot in the brain, basically, a stroke. Dogs, just like people, can recover from strokes, but again, just like people, we cannot predict what level of permanent damage has occurred. Without knowing whether Flannagan would ever be able to walk again, the Dennis’ decided that they would give him time. He stayed at the specialty hospital for a week with only a little improvement. He was able to sit up slightly, was able to eat and drink, but could barely move his legs and was definitely not able to get up. While they weren’t able to take on the task of nursing care at home, they also weren’t ready to give up on Flannagan, so he was transferred back to Bishop Ranch Veterinary Center & Urgent Care for further nursing care. While he was weak, he always seemed to have a spark in his eye. The doctors and staff worked with him multiple times a day. They loaded him into slings and used a lift table to get him used to feeling his feet under him. He started to move his feet slightly after a couple of days, then amazingly, a few days later, pulled himself up and took a few steps. It was a long road to recovery, but now Flannagan looks like a normal dog. He trots and plays, goes on long walks, and the Dennis family couldn’t be happier. They never gave up on Flannagan and he never gave up on himself, leading to a full recovery with the cooperation and efforts of the Dennis family, local specialists, and the staff at Bishop Ranch Veterinary Center.
Preventive Care
Sandy Ramsey
Age: 8 years
Breed: Golden Retriever
Diagnosis: Benign abdominal tumor Sandy is an 8 year old Golden Retriever whose “job” is the important work of Search and Rescue for Contra Costa County. Although she appeared healthy, during her annual physical exam it was recommended to do blood work due to her age. Sandy is considered middle-aged and it is recommended that any pet over the age of 7 years have annual blood work performed. The blood work revealed that Sandy had elevated liver enzymes. As a result of those blood test results, an abdominal ultrasound exam was done and a cantaloupe-sized mass was discovered growing on her liver. Due to the location and size of the mass, a surgical specialist was called in to remove it. Sandy’s surgery went well and she was discharged from the hospital the next day. Luckily the tumor turned out to be benign, but had it been left untreated it likely would have ruptured, leading to life-threatening internal bleeding. Sandy was an apparently happy, healthy dog and without a routine annual blood screening we may not have detected the tumor until it was too late. Today Sandy is back to doing what she knows and loves: search and rescue.
Age: 8 years
Breed: Golden Retriever
Diagnosis: Benign abdominal tumor Sandy is an 8 year old Golden Retriever whose “job” is the important work of Search and Rescue for Contra Costa County. Although she appeared healthy, during her annual physical exam it was recommended to do blood work due to her age. Sandy is considered middle-aged and it is recommended that any pet over the age of 7 years have annual blood work performed. The blood work revealed that Sandy had elevated liver enzymes. As a result of those blood test results, an abdominal ultrasound exam was done and a cantaloupe-sized mass was discovered growing on her liver. Due to the location and size of the mass, a surgical specialist was called in to remove it. Sandy’s surgery went well and she was discharged from the hospital the next day. Luckily the tumor turned out to be benign, but had it been left untreated it likely would have ruptured, leading to life-threatening internal bleeding. Sandy was an apparently happy, healthy dog and without a routine annual blood screening we may not have detected the tumor until it was too late. Today Sandy is back to doing what she knows and loves: search and rescue.
Betsey Johnson Birch
Age: 10 years
Breed: Cocker Spaniel
Diagnosis: Benign mass Betsey came in for an annual dental cleaning, as she had done the year before. Prior to administering the anesthetics necessary for the procedure, a comprehensive blood panel was performed in-house to make sure she was in good health. Betsey’s blood work revealed she had a low platelet count. Platelets are the cells that help form normal blood clots. The dental cleaning procedure was postponed and a blood sample was sent to an outside reference laboratory, which confirmed that Betsey had an autoimmune disease called ITP (immune-mediated thrombocytopenia), a condition where an animal’s immune system attacks and destroys its own platelets. This can lead to life-threatening internal bleeding. Betsey was immediately started on medications to prevent her immune system from destroying her own platelets. Today Betsey’s platelet count is back to normal levels and she is doing great at home. If not for doing routine pre-anesthetic blood work, Betsey’s disease would have gone untreated, with possible life-threatening complications.
Age: 10 years
Breed: Cocker Spaniel
Diagnosis: Benign mass Betsey came in for an annual dental cleaning, as she had done the year before. Prior to administering the anesthetics necessary for the procedure, a comprehensive blood panel was performed in-house to make sure she was in good health. Betsey’s blood work revealed she had a low platelet count. Platelets are the cells that help form normal blood clots. The dental cleaning procedure was postponed and a blood sample was sent to an outside reference laboratory, which confirmed that Betsey had an autoimmune disease called ITP (immune-mediated thrombocytopenia), a condition where an animal’s immune system attacks and destroys its own platelets. This can lead to life-threatening internal bleeding. Betsey was immediately started on medications to prevent her immune system from destroying her own platelets. Today Betsey’s platelet count is back to normal levels and she is doing great at home. If not for doing routine pre-anesthetic blood work, Betsey’s disease would have gone untreated, with possible life-threatening complications.
Rescue Pets
Jinx
Age: 4 years
Breed: Domestic Long Hair Siamese
Diagnosis: Hit by car, broken rear legs Jinx was a beautiful Himalayan-mix found lying on the side of the road at a busy intersection in Livermore. A local resident noticed him and thought he was dead until she saw him lift his head as she drove by. Livermore Animal Services arrived shortly thereafter and took him to an emergency hospital in Dublin, where it was determined that Jinx had two broken back legs and was in extreme pain. Unfortunately, Jinx had no microchip identification or collar and would be euthanized in the morning if no one claimed him or accepted financial responsibility for his veterinary care. In an effort to save Jinx, the Livermore resident contacted all her friends, trying desperately to raise enough money to commit to the medical costs needed to save him. Eventually, her email was forwarded to Safe Cat Foundation, a non-profit animal rescue group in San Ramon, where a member agreed to take Jinx into their foster program. The next day, Jinx was taken to Bishop Ranch Veterinary Center & Urgent Care where it was determined that his legs might be saved, but he needed surgery immediately. Dr. Leanne Taylor and Dr. Frank Utchen graciously donated their time for his surgery, and after seven long hours, and implanting several pins and many wires, Jinx's legs had been repaired. Dr. Utchen and Dr. Taylor then spent many additional hours caring for Jinx, providing care at reduced costs for his weekly follow-up appointments, bandage changes and numerous x-rays. After several months, the pins were removed from his legs. Today, Jinx is walking and jumping and only has a slight limp. It took over four months to recover from his injuries. Despite all he has been through, Jinx has always been sweet and gentle. He loves attention and constantly purrs and rolls on his back for belly rubs. He is truly a miracle cat. Read about Jinx's Story in the San Ramon Valley Times by: Clicking Here
Age: 4 years
Breed: Domestic Long Hair Siamese
Diagnosis: Hit by car, broken rear legs Jinx was a beautiful Himalayan-mix found lying on the side of the road at a busy intersection in Livermore. A local resident noticed him and thought he was dead until she saw him lift his head as she drove by. Livermore Animal Services arrived shortly thereafter and took him to an emergency hospital in Dublin, where it was determined that Jinx had two broken back legs and was in extreme pain. Unfortunately, Jinx had no microchip identification or collar and would be euthanized in the morning if no one claimed him or accepted financial responsibility for his veterinary care. In an effort to save Jinx, the Livermore resident contacted all her friends, trying desperately to raise enough money to commit to the medical costs needed to save him. Eventually, her email was forwarded to Safe Cat Foundation, a non-profit animal rescue group in San Ramon, where a member agreed to take Jinx into their foster program. The next day, Jinx was taken to Bishop Ranch Veterinary Center & Urgent Care where it was determined that his legs might be saved, but he needed surgery immediately. Dr. Leanne Taylor and Dr. Frank Utchen graciously donated their time for his surgery, and after seven long hours, and implanting several pins and many wires, Jinx's legs had been repaired. Dr. Utchen and Dr. Taylor then spent many additional hours caring for Jinx, providing care at reduced costs for his weekly follow-up appointments, bandage changes and numerous x-rays. After several months, the pins were removed from his legs. Today, Jinx is walking and jumping and only has a slight limp. It took over four months to recover from his injuries. Despite all he has been through, Jinx has always been sweet and gentle. He loves attention and constantly purrs and rolls on his back for belly rubs. He is truly a miracle cat. Read about Jinx's Story in the San Ramon Valley Times by: Clicking Here
Tristan
Age: 4 months
Breed: Domestic Short Hair, Gray
Diagnosis: Three broken legs, amputation Tristan, a 4 month old kitten, used up nearly all of his nine lives in a very short period. The stray kitten that was rescued from the Contra Costa Animal Services in Martinez by Safe Cat Foundation had three broken legs when he came into the shelter. Thought to have been hit by a car, this kitten suffered a broken leg in the front as well as both back legs. After numerous surgeries Tristan's rear leg was amputated as his injuries were too severe. Doing well and even walking without his back leg, Tristan went back into foster care. While recovering, post operative complications led to Tristan bleeding out from his neck.
The foster immediately rushed him to the hospital for emergency care. Tristan had lost so much blood that he was nearly dead. A blood transfusion was his only hope and Tristan has Type-B blood, which is extremely rare (97% - 99% of cats are type A). Fortunately, Vinnie, part of Bishop Ranch Veterinary Center's Blood Donor program was a match and was rushed to the hospital to give blood. Type-B blood is extremely rare and is usually only found in exotic cats, it is even more uncommon that both Vinnie, a domestic orange tabby, and Tristan, a Russian Blue, were both Type-B.
Today, Tristan is doing well and living a happy and healthy life with his new permanent home. His owners have renamed him Zim-Lindiwe (aka Zim) which means "we have waited for you" in Zulu.
Watch the news story on Tristan, seen on KPIX, Channel 5
Age: 4 months
Breed: Domestic Short Hair, Gray
Diagnosis: Three broken legs, amputation Tristan, a 4 month old kitten, used up nearly all of his nine lives in a very short period. The stray kitten that was rescued from the Contra Costa Animal Services in Martinez by Safe Cat Foundation had three broken legs when he came into the shelter. Thought to have been hit by a car, this kitten suffered a broken leg in the front as well as both back legs. After numerous surgeries Tristan's rear leg was amputated as his injuries were too severe. Doing well and even walking without his back leg, Tristan went back into foster care. While recovering, post operative complications led to Tristan bleeding out from his neck.
Grady
Age: 3 years
Breed: Pug
Diagnosis: Liver shunt, bladder stones, intestinal At Bishop Ranch Veterinary Center, we believe that part of our role in the community is lending a helping hand to animals in need. We work with several rescue groups to provide medical services for their foster pets. PROS Pug rescue has been a part of our family at BRVC for several years and is a group that is very near and dear to my heart. This group is led locally by Gena Austin and Jan Grover, and is comprised of a team of volunteers, who open their hearts and homes to Pugs of all ages and levels of need. All their rescue dogs have their medical conditions addressed, big or small. We routinely perform dental procedures, palate surgeries, knee surgeries, and ear/eye/skin treatments on their foster Pugs in addition to routine services like vaccines and heartworm tests. If they have an older Pug with multiple health problems or a special needs Pug that is difficult to place in a permanent home, PROS Pug rescue will place it in a permanent foster hospice home so that he/she can spend their final years in the comfort of a real family. It seems there is nothing they won't do to alleviate the discomfort of a foster dog, and their compassion and dedication know no bounds. In May of 2009, Grady, a 3 year old Pug, came to me, barely able to lift his head or move. He was dehydrated, vomiting, and had a painful abdomen. I knew from his history that he was born with a liver shunt, an abnormal blood vessel that allows blood that has not been filtered to bypass the liver and go straight back into the general circulation, but he had been doing well living with this condition. The owner reported that he had been getting increasingly ill over the last few days, that he couldn't urinate, and that he may have eaten some q-tips. She, unfortunately, could not afford any testing or treatment, and he was critically ill. The owner had already been in contact with PROS Pug rescue, and without hesitation, Jan Grover told me to do whatever was necessary, no matter the cost. Jan assured me that they would foster him once he had recovered. Testing showed he had several bladder stones. One had lodged in his urethra and blocked his ability to urinate, causing severe pain, risk of bladder rupture, and insult to his kidneys. X-rays revealed he had indeed eaten a large amount of q-tips that had lodged in his stomach, and of course, he still had the liver shunt he was born with. We were able to push the urethral stone back into his bladder and place a urinary catheter to empty his bladder. Grady was started on fluids, pain medications, and antibiotics, and started to feel a little better. In a stroke of luck, a surgeon was available later in the day and performed three different procedures on this tough little Pug. In a two hour procedure, he had the bladder stones removed, the q-tips taken out of his stomach, and the liver shunt closed. Grady is a fighter and made an amazing recovery and was eating, urinating, and wagging his tail 48-hours later and was discharged from the hospital into the care of a foster home. Grady has had multiple follow up visits since then. His liver shunt appears to be resolved, his kidneys normal, and he has not eaten any other foreign material. He did, unfortunately, develop bladder stones again in September 2009 and needed another bladder surgery. As always, he did very well with a wagging tail through all of it. We appear to have figured out the reason for his recurrent disease and are hoping that future bladder problems will be avoidable. Despite all Grady has been through, he has a wonderful personality and finally, a clean bill of health. He has been with a dedicated foster, but is finally ready for his forever home. If you are interested in adopting him, please see the PROS Pug website www.pugpros.org/available.html and check out Grady. Both the surgeon and BRVC extended significant discounts for Grady's surgeries and care, but his medical costs still came to approximately $4,600. Like many rescue groups, PROS Pug rescue suffered a difficult year in 2009. If you are able to help with a donation for his medical care, please see the website www.pugpros.org/donate.html to make a donation. Every little bit counts. The love and dedication of these volunteers and the boundless joy of each foster Pug never ceases to amaze me. I wanted to take this opportunity to thank them all for letting me be a part of their efforts to help one of my favorite patients find his forever home. Shann Ikezawa, DVM
Age: 3 years
Breed: Pug
Diagnosis: Liver shunt, bladder stones, intestinal At Bishop Ranch Veterinary Center, we believe that part of our role in the community is lending a helping hand to animals in need. We work with several rescue groups to provide medical services for their foster pets. PROS Pug rescue has been a part of our family at BRVC for several years and is a group that is very near and dear to my heart. This group is led locally by Gena Austin and Jan Grover, and is comprised of a team of volunteers, who open their hearts and homes to Pugs of all ages and levels of need. All their rescue dogs have their medical conditions addressed, big or small. We routinely perform dental procedures, palate surgeries, knee surgeries, and ear/eye/skin treatments on their foster Pugs in addition to routine services like vaccines and heartworm tests. If they have an older Pug with multiple health problems or a special needs Pug that is difficult to place in a permanent home, PROS Pug rescue will place it in a permanent foster hospice home so that he/she can spend their final years in the comfort of a real family. It seems there is nothing they won't do to alleviate the discomfort of a foster dog, and their compassion and dedication know no bounds. In May of 2009, Grady, a 3 year old Pug, came to me, barely able to lift his head or move. He was dehydrated, vomiting, and had a painful abdomen. I knew from his history that he was born with a liver shunt, an abnormal blood vessel that allows blood that has not been filtered to bypass the liver and go straight back into the general circulation, but he had been doing well living with this condition. The owner reported that he had been getting increasingly ill over the last few days, that he couldn't urinate, and that he may have eaten some q-tips. She, unfortunately, could not afford any testing or treatment, and he was critically ill. The owner had already been in contact with PROS Pug rescue, and without hesitation, Jan Grover told me to do whatever was necessary, no matter the cost. Jan assured me that they would foster him once he had recovered. Testing showed he had several bladder stones. One had lodged in his urethra and blocked his ability to urinate, causing severe pain, risk of bladder rupture, and insult to his kidneys. X-rays revealed he had indeed eaten a large amount of q-tips that had lodged in his stomach, and of course, he still had the liver shunt he was born with. We were able to push the urethral stone back into his bladder and place a urinary catheter to empty his bladder. Grady was started on fluids, pain medications, and antibiotics, and started to feel a little better. In a stroke of luck, a surgeon was available later in the day and performed three different procedures on this tough little Pug. In a two hour procedure, he had the bladder stones removed, the q-tips taken out of his stomach, and the liver shunt closed. Grady is a fighter and made an amazing recovery and was eating, urinating, and wagging his tail 48-hours later and was discharged from the hospital into the care of a foster home. Grady has had multiple follow up visits since then. His liver shunt appears to be resolved, his kidneys normal, and he has not eaten any other foreign material. He did, unfortunately, develop bladder stones again in September 2009 and needed another bladder surgery. As always, he did very well with a wagging tail through all of it. We appear to have figured out the reason for his recurrent disease and are hoping that future bladder problems will be avoidable. Despite all Grady has been through, he has a wonderful personality and finally, a clean bill of health. He has been with a dedicated foster, but is finally ready for his forever home. If you are interested in adopting him, please see the PROS Pug website www.pugpros.org/available.html and check out Grady. Both the surgeon and BRVC extended significant discounts for Grady's surgeries and care, but his medical costs still came to approximately $4,600. Like many rescue groups, PROS Pug rescue suffered a difficult year in 2009. If you are able to help with a donation for his medical care, please see the website www.pugpros.org/donate.html to make a donation. Every little bit counts. The love and dedication of these volunteers and the boundless joy of each foster Pug never ceases to amaze me. I wanted to take this opportunity to thank them all for letting me be a part of their efforts to help one of my favorite patients find his forever home. Shann Ikezawa, DVM
Surgery
Rico White
Age: 8 weeks
Breed: German Shepherd
Diagnosis: Congenital Esophageal Constriction/Blockage Rico came to Bishop Ranch Veterinary Center & Urgent Care at 8 weeks old for vomiting and stunted growth. A barium x-ray showed he had a Persistent Right Aortic Arch, which is a congenital anomaly of the blood vessels near the heart that are inappropriately wrapped around the esophagus, creating a constriction of the esophagus and restriction of food passage to the stomach. Our doctors were able to quickly diagnose Rico's condition by performing a barium study with our digital radiography system. The digital x-rays were uploaded on-line for review by a Board Certified Veterinary Radiologist associated with the Veterinary School at the University of California at Davis.
Rico was then scheduled for surgery, where a Board Certified Surgeon performed the surgery. Bishop Ranch Veterinary Center was able to perform Rico's surgery and facilitate his recovery, sparing him and his owner the additional expense and stress of moving to another hospital for his procedure and post operative care.
Summary
After a successful surgery and several days of recovery in the hospital, Rico, now 7 months old, is an active and happy puppy, and is expected to have a completely normal, full life span.
Age: 8 weeks
Breed: German Shepherd
Diagnosis: Congenital Esophageal Constriction/Blockage Rico came to Bishop Ranch Veterinary Center & Urgent Care at 8 weeks old for vomiting and stunted growth. A barium x-ray showed he had a Persistent Right Aortic Arch, which is a congenital anomaly of the blood vessels near the heart that are inappropriately wrapped around the esophagus, creating a constriction of the esophagus and restriction of food passage to the stomach. Our doctors were able to quickly diagnose Rico's condition by performing a barium study with our digital radiography system. The digital x-rays were uploaded on-line for review by a Board Certified Veterinary Radiologist associated with the Veterinary School at the University of California at Davis.
Spencer Barcelos
Age: 6 years
Breed: German Shepherd
Diagnosis: Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus (GDV or Canine Bloat) Spencer has been a patient at Bishop Ranch Veterinary Center & Urgent Care since he was 8 weeks old. Having owned Great Danes in the past, his owner was familiar with the dangers of Canine Bloat (Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus, or GDV), a life-threatening condition that can occur to any large breed dog where the stomach abnormally twists around, fills with gas, and cannot un-twist by itself. Without emergency surgery in this event the condition is fatal. Fortunately, Spencer's owner learned about a procedure performed at Bishop Ranch Veterinary Center & Urgent Care called a laparoscope-assisted gastropexy—a minimally invasive preventative surgical procedure in which the stomach is permanently "tacked" in the correct position, thereby preventing the twisting of the stomach that occurs with Canine Bloat. By performing this procedure laparoscopically, only two small abdominal incisions were necessary. Spencer's preventative surgery was performed as an outpatient procedure. He recovered well and went home that same day. Two years later his owner noticed signs of abdominal distension and discomfort in Spencer. She rushed him to Bishop Ranch Veterinary Center & Urgent Care where Dr. Taylor examined him and quickly took an x-ray. It revealed that although Spencer's stomach had begun filling with gas, it was still securely fixed in place by the previous gastropexy surgery. The procedure had effectively prevented the fatal twisting of the stomach that can occur in this instance. As a result of having had minimally-invasive preventative surgery two years earlier, what could have easily become a life-threatening case of Canine Bloat turned out instead to only be a mild case of "gas". After receiving some medications to relieve the gas, Spencer went home that same night and quickly returned to normal.
Age: 6 years
Breed: German Shepherd
Diagnosis: Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus (GDV or Canine Bloat) Spencer has been a patient at Bishop Ranch Veterinary Center & Urgent Care since he was 8 weeks old. Having owned Great Danes in the past, his owner was familiar with the dangers of Canine Bloat (Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus, or GDV), a life-threatening condition that can occur to any large breed dog where the stomach abnormally twists around, fills with gas, and cannot un-twist by itself. Without emergency surgery in this event the condition is fatal. Fortunately, Spencer's owner learned about a procedure performed at Bishop Ranch Veterinary Center & Urgent Care called a laparoscope-assisted gastropexy—a minimally invasive preventative surgical procedure in which the stomach is permanently "tacked" in the correct position, thereby preventing the twisting of the stomach that occurs with Canine Bloat. By performing this procedure laparoscopically, only two small abdominal incisions were necessary. Spencer's preventative surgery was performed as an outpatient procedure. He recovered well and went home that same day. Two years later his owner noticed signs of abdominal distension and discomfort in Spencer. She rushed him to Bishop Ranch Veterinary Center & Urgent Care where Dr. Taylor examined him and quickly took an x-ray. It revealed that although Spencer's stomach had begun filling with gas, it was still securely fixed in place by the previous gastropexy surgery. The procedure had effectively prevented the fatal twisting of the stomach that can occur in this instance. As a result of having had minimally-invasive preventative surgery two years earlier, what could have easily become a life-threatening case of Canine Bloat turned out instead to only be a mild case of "gas". After receiving some medications to relieve the gas, Spencer went home that same night and quickly returned to normal.
Phoenix Marr
Age: 9 years
Breed: Domestic Short Hair, Black & White
Diagnosis: Degloving injury When my husband and I got married, I decided to leave Phoenix at my parent's house. After all, Phoenix loves running around outside with the dogs, Jackrabbits and deer. Unfortunately, last year Phoenix was hit by a car in front of my parent's home. Luckily, instead of running away and hiding, Phoenix jumped over the fence and waited for help in our backyard. My parents found him the next morning with his back right leg swollen and open, exposing his tendon. They immediately took him to Bishop Ranch Veterinary hospital where he was seen by Dr. DeLano. Phoenix's leg was so swollen that Dr. DeLano wanted to make him as comfortable as possible and wait for the swelling to go down before he tried to close the wound. It was not until later that day that I found out Phoenix was hit by a car. As soon as I found out, my husband and I went to see him at Bishop Ranch. It seemed like he was going to be okay, but then I received a call on Sunday stating Phoenix was not improving. On Sunday, Dr. DeLano had called my dad to let him know that Phoenix's leg was not looking any better and that we might have to amputate his leg. Phoenix is just as active as any dog, so I was faced with the decision to amputate or possibly euthanize him, since I knew he would be miserable not being able to run around and play. On Monday, I decided to visit him before work. Phoenix had stood up on his injured leg on Sunday night, so Dr. DeLano decided that he was going to perform surgery. The soft tissue surgery that Dr. DeLano performed was successful at first. Unfortunately because we had kept his leg bandaged for ten days without giving the wound exposure to the air, the skin started to die which in turn made his wound bigger. Because of this, Dr. DeLano had to approach this soft tissue wound in a different way. The new game plan was for me to drop off Phoenix every morning at Bishop Ranch where they would uncover his leg and monitor him. Phoenix had to wear a large E-collar, have his tail and the majority of his body wrapped up when his bandage was not on his leg so that none of his hair could get to the wound. Every night Dr. DeLano would bandage his leg and I would pick him up and take him home. The most amazing thing to me is that after Dr. DeLano's son's graduation, he still came by the hospital, to check on Phoenix's leg and personally wrap it. I do not know many people that would take time out of their personal lives to bandage a cat's leg when he could have had another veterinarian or a technician do it. Dr. DeLano's aggressive treatment was working. As the months passed, we began taking Phoenix to see Dr. DeLano a few times a week and then once a week. I started to be able to change the bandages at home because his skin was finally growing back. It has been almost a year now since Phoenix's accident and I am happy to say he is fully recovered and as active as ever. He no longer goes outside and Phoenix now lives with my husband and me in our home in Dublin. Every time I think of Phoenix's accident and the intense recovery, I think to myself Dr. DeLano was at Bishop Ranch that day for a reason. I think of Dr. DeLano as Phoenix's Guardian Angel. He went above and beyond for me and Phoenix for such a long time and no matter how busy he was, he was always there for us. He is truly one of the most remarkable people I have ever met and he will always have a special place in my heart. Janae (Marr) Blotzer
Age: 9 years
Breed: Domestic Short Hair, Black & White
Diagnosis: Degloving injury When my husband and I got married, I decided to leave Phoenix at my parent's house. After all, Phoenix loves running around outside with the dogs, Jackrabbits and deer. Unfortunately, last year Phoenix was hit by a car in front of my parent's home. Luckily, instead of running away and hiding, Phoenix jumped over the fence and waited for help in our backyard. My parents found him the next morning with his back right leg swollen and open, exposing his tendon. They immediately took him to Bishop Ranch Veterinary hospital where he was seen by Dr. DeLano. Phoenix's leg was so swollen that Dr. DeLano wanted to make him as comfortable as possible and wait for the swelling to go down before he tried to close the wound. It was not until later that day that I found out Phoenix was hit by a car. As soon as I found out, my husband and I went to see him at Bishop Ranch. It seemed like he was going to be okay, but then I received a call on Sunday stating Phoenix was not improving. On Sunday, Dr. DeLano had called my dad to let him know that Phoenix's leg was not looking any better and that we might have to amputate his leg. Phoenix is just as active as any dog, so I was faced with the decision to amputate or possibly euthanize him, since I knew he would be miserable not being able to run around and play. On Monday, I decided to visit him before work. Phoenix had stood up on his injured leg on Sunday night, so Dr. DeLano decided that he was going to perform surgery. The soft tissue surgery that Dr. DeLano performed was successful at first. Unfortunately because we had kept his leg bandaged for ten days without giving the wound exposure to the air, the skin started to die which in turn made his wound bigger. Because of this, Dr. DeLano had to approach this soft tissue wound in a different way. The new game plan was for me to drop off Phoenix every morning at Bishop Ranch where they would uncover his leg and monitor him. Phoenix had to wear a large E-collar, have his tail and the majority of his body wrapped up when his bandage was not on his leg so that none of his hair could get to the wound. Every night Dr. DeLano would bandage his leg and I would pick him up and take him home. The most amazing thing to me is that after Dr. DeLano's son's graduation, he still came by the hospital, to check on Phoenix's leg and personally wrap it. I do not know many people that would take time out of their personal lives to bandage a cat's leg when he could have had another veterinarian or a technician do it. Dr. DeLano's aggressive treatment was working. As the months passed, we began taking Phoenix to see Dr. DeLano a few times a week and then once a week. I started to be able to change the bandages at home because his skin was finally growing back. It has been almost a year now since Phoenix's accident and I am happy to say he is fully recovered and as active as ever. He no longer goes outside and Phoenix now lives with my husband and me in our home in Dublin. Every time I think of Phoenix's accident and the intense recovery, I think to myself Dr. DeLano was at Bishop Ranch that day for a reason. I think of Dr. DeLano as Phoenix's Guardian Angel. He went above and beyond for me and Phoenix for such a long time and no matter how busy he was, he was always there for us. He is truly one of the most remarkable people I have ever met and he will always have a special place in my heart. Janae (Marr) Blotzer
Jordie
Breed: Domestic Short Hair
Diagnosis: Urinary Blockage Jordie had always been a mellow, happy-go-lucky cat but one day, his family noticed that he seemed to be going in and out of his litter box much more often than normal. He appeared to be painful and straining to urinate. Examination at his regular veterinarian revealed that he was "blocked". He had a medical condition that caused him to form blood clots and crystals in his urine that lodged in his urethra, causing an obstruction, making him unable to urinate. This condition is an emergency and patients can become critically ill in a short amount of time. A urinary catheter was placed to relieve the obstruction and he was treated for his urinary disease, but for the next two weeks, his episodes recurred and he continued to require emergency care and assistance to empty his bladder. His regular veterinarian determined that the best option for Jordie was a surgical procedure called a perineal urethrostomy which involves removing the end of the penis and widening the opening of the urethra. This surgery is a detailed and delicate procedure and not available at all veterinary hospitals. On a recommendation, Jordie came to Bishop Ranch Veterinary Center & Urgent Care worried about the health of their wonderful cat. Jordie's family moved forward with surgery. His surgery was technically difficult because the urethra was traumatized and swollen from two weeks of catheters and treatment. There was some concern that he may have too much trauma to heal well, but Jordie was a tolerant patient and did well with his post operative nursing care. Three days later he was discharged to his family with strict instructions on the care of his sensitive incision. His family followed instructions carefully and Jordie's recovery was quick and without complication. His family reports that he is back to his old self and his bright personality has returned. His owner felt so inspired by his cheerful demeanor that he wrote a song in Jordie's honor and shared it online with us. The link is listed below.
Breed: Domestic Short Hair
Diagnosis: Urinary Blockage Jordie had always been a mellow, happy-go-lucky cat but one day, his family noticed that he seemed to be going in and out of his litter box much more often than normal. He appeared to be painful and straining to urinate. Examination at his regular veterinarian revealed that he was "blocked". He had a medical condition that caused him to form blood clots and crystals in his urine that lodged in his urethra, causing an obstruction, making him unable to urinate. This condition is an emergency and patients can become critically ill in a short amount of time. A urinary catheter was placed to relieve the obstruction and he was treated for his urinary disease, but for the next two weeks, his episodes recurred and he continued to require emergency care and assistance to empty his bladder. His regular veterinarian determined that the best option for Jordie was a surgical procedure called a perineal urethrostomy which involves removing the end of the penis and widening the opening of the urethra. This surgery is a detailed and delicate procedure and not available at all veterinary hospitals. On a recommendation, Jordie came to Bishop Ranch Veterinary Center & Urgent Care worried about the health of their wonderful cat. Jordie's family moved forward with surgery. His surgery was technically difficult because the urethra was traumatized and swollen from two weeks of catheters and treatment. There was some concern that he may have too much trauma to heal well, but Jordie was a tolerant patient and did well with his post operative nursing care. Three days later he was discharged to his family with strict instructions on the care of his sensitive incision. His family followed instructions carefully and Jordie's recovery was quick and without complication. His family reports that he is back to his old self and his bright personality has returned. His owner felt so inspired by his cheerful demeanor that he wrote a song in Jordie's honor and shared it online with us. The link is listed below.
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