Winston the Wonder Dog - Miracle or Modern Medicine

Corrie & Dr. Bricker pose with Winston

shortly before he is released to go

home.

That silent communication between dog and owner came into play one Friday evening when Winston’s family brought him in to Circle City’s Emergency Hospital. Early testing revealed nothing dramatic, but intuition drove them and set them on a path where, faith, perseverance, and advanced medical treatment combined to save his life.

Winston was suffering from a septic abdomen, a deadly invasion of bacteria inside his abdominal cavity typically caused by a foreign body or traumatic injury. An ultrasound revealed diseased lymph nodes so emergency surgery to remove the tissue causing the infection was performed, and treatment to clear the infection began. Survival rates for septic abdomens are less than 50% but quick action to rid Winston of the deadly infection gave his doctors and family hope for a speedy recovery.

Winston, however, was plagued with all the complications you don’t want to happen and he spent the next week in critical care with his doctors fighting each new obstacle that came along. Once his biopsies came back it was clear that the underlying cause for his condition was cancer. At the time, veterinary oncologist, Dr. Childress, was available for consultation here and the needed cancer drugs on site so chemotherapy began immediately. Winston turned the corner in short order and was released from the hospital, returning only as an out-patient for continued chemotherapy.

Faced with such an uphill battle, everyone involved would have understood had Winston’s family decided to let him go, but somehow that wondrous non-verbal communion between dog and owner signaled them both to keep trying. Speaking with Winston’s family, and seeing how they interact with him, makes it clear that the human/animal bond enriches our world and encourages a belief in something greater.

Winston Home Again

Call it luck or divine coincidence, it is also clear that without the advanced medical treatment immediately and locally available, Winston’s chance of survival would have been slim to none. Winston was not stable enough to transfer to another facility and could not have survived further delays. He is almost finished with his chemotherapy now and enjoying life with his family for as long as he is meant to. With recent changes in Purdue University’s policy regarding outside consultations by their faculty, however, the opportunity to continue treatment for cancer patients closer to home has been interrupted. Because 15% to 20% of the cases referred into our Emergency & Critical Care Department are diagnosed with some form of cancer, we are committed to once again provide family veterinary hospitals and pet owners accessible options for treatment…and miracles.

Simple Dreams – An Engine of Ideas

Good ideas begin with simple dreams! An anonymous donation from a local Good Samaritan coupled with the creative minds and generous spirits of homegrown experts will be making a huge difference in the health and welfare of companion animals in Indianapolis! Our hats are off to Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine, Elanco Companion Health, and several local, privately held, veterinary practices in Indianapolis! The creation, implementation, and participation in the Good Samaritan Endowment Program will help provide financial assistance for families who have been unable to afford good, thorough, veterinary care for their pets.


Purdue University’s Announcement Article talks about the “win-win” for all local participants and we couldn’t agree more! Numerous outside marketing messages minimize the ‘value’ of the family veterinarian, forcing this profession to compete as a ‘commodity’. There is an old, and scary, political maneuver that states if you tell the public a lie long enough, they will believe it. We hope this new program will bring back awareness and encourage pet owners to seek care for their pets in full-service general practices. In doing so, pet owners may once again see the advantages of developing that life-long bond with a family veterinarian who knows and values their pet beyond the quick examination and assembly line vaccinations.

We look forward to seeing this program in action!

Walking With Sunshine



"Now what?"

 Watching this one year old and hearing her story makes the heart want to sing, “I’m walking with Sunshine…” Bulldogs already risk potential health challenges but this little girl seemed to be cursed with more than her fair share. Sunshine’s first few weeks of life hold a dark history, but things began to turn around the minute Betty met her and saw a gentle, worthy soul, behind those physical handicaps.




"For me?"

 Life was not easy for Sunshine even then. After months of intervention and several surgeries Sunshine was still unable to walk more than a few painful feet at a time. Most would have understood had Betty chosen to stop there. Some might even have considered it merciful to end Sunshine’s ‘suffering’. Something told Betty to keep trying, however, and that is where Circle City’s Veterinary Specialists come in. Kate Fitzwater, DVM, MS, DACVS, and Bobby Werbe, CCRP, began seeing Sunshine.  Determining that Sunshine would most likely be unable to walk any distance without assistance, they custom fit a wheelchair just for her!



"Look at me now!"

 The old saying, “Pictures are worth a thousand words”, rings true here. Look closely. Sunshine’s expression before her fitting clearly shows anxiety and hesitation, perfectly understandable after all she has been through. Once fitted comfortably in her wheelchair, however, her demeanor changes.  In the video below watch Sunshine experience what it is like to really walk for the first time in her life!

As of the publishing of this blog, Sunshine is active and happy, and can even walk longer distances without her wheelchair. 

 ”…oh yeah, and don’t it feel good!”

"BB's" Battle - They thought he was safe...

"BB" after his surgery

“BB’s” owners thought he was safe when they let him outside one night. No one had reason to suspect danger was lurking in the familiar shadows of their own back yard. That night quickly became a life and death struggle for “BB” and turned into days of anguish for his family when this tiny terrier was savagely attached by a coyote!  “BB’s” owners ran out to find him bleeding, in shock, and struggling to breath. They knew he was gravely injured and rushed him to our emergency hospital where he was stabilized and placed in an oxygen unit. Their quick action along with highly skilled emergency personnel and advanced equipment gave “BB” and his family a chance for hope.

It was soon understood, however, that “BB’s” battle was far from over when his radiographs revealed massive internal injuries. Dr. Fitzwater, our boarded veterinary surgeon, was called in and when she took him into surgery she discovered even more damage. The force of the attack had torn “BB’s” abdominal wall and his diaphragm so severely that his organs had herniated under his skin and into his chest cavity! Other nasty bites put his right kidney in jeopardy and pulled his skin, from head to tail, completely away from the connecting tissue and muscle!

 

"BB" 5 months after his attack

That coyote meant to kill “BB” and it almost succeeded, but with the necessary training and expertise for just this kind of scenario, Dr. Fitzwater put “BB” back together again. With supportive care around the clock for the next five days, “BB” improved and was released to his family. After several follow up visits, he was given the ‘all clear’ and today he is back to normal, enjoying the good life. 

“BB’s” coyote attack is not rare. Many cats and dogs have been attacked, and often killed, by wildlife in their own backyard. Coyotes are prominent throughout Indiana and not only in rural areas. Below are some tips posted by the DNR that may help discourage them from visiting your neighborhood.

• Feed pets indoors whenever possible; pick up leftovers if feeding outdoors and store pet and livestock feed where it’s inaccessible to wildlife
• Eliminate water bowls and other artificial water sources (if possible).
• Position bird feeders in a location that is less likely to attract small animals or bring the feeders in at night (to keep coyotes from feeding on the bird food or the other animals).
• Do not discard edible garbage where coyotes can get to it. Secure garbage containers
• Trim and clean shrubbery near ground level to reduce hiding cover for coyotes or their prey
• Do not allow pets to run free and provide secure nighttime housing for them
• If you start seeing coyotes around your home, discourage them by shouting, making loud noises or throwing rocks but NEVER corner a coyote – always give the coyote a free escape route.



What May Feel Sultry to Us Can Be Deadly to Them



Lincoln

Meet Lincoln. Typically Lincoln is a happy-go-lucky fellow who loves life and everybody in it! This picture depicts another side to Lincoln’s life, however, and reminds us that these hot summer months bring with it very real and scary risks for our pets. Lincoln first came to our emergency hospital last summer after overheating while boarding. He was just being himself, but his excitement, the heat, and the fact he is brachycephalic, (short-nosed), quickly put him in a life threatening state.



Truman

Lincoln, Truman (also pictured), Boxers, Boston Terriers, and Pugs are some of the breeds with a higher risk of overheating. Their skull bones are shortened in length, but their soft tissue structures are not proportionately reduced, resulting in narrowed air passages and a challenge to breath. This challenge jumps to critical when they cannot get sufficient air to help them stay cool. When an animal suffers from hyperthermia, heat stroke or exhaustion is a risk and there is little time before serious damage, or even death, can occur. It is important to remember that heat stroke can even occur on a mild day!

This summer when Lincoln came into our emergency hospital with heat exhaustion, he had been at home…and inside the house! True to his nature he was playing and having a great time until his respiration became stressed. Soon he fell into a vicious cycle – the harder he worked to breath, the hotter he became – the hotter he became, the harder it was for him to breath. With supportive medical care, Lincoln recovered again, but his family wanted to lower his risk of repeated episodes and elected to have surgery. Lincoln had his nares (front part of his nose) opened up a little wider, his soft palate resected (shortened) and his laryngeal saccules (fine membrane in the larynx) removed. This gave him more room for air to pass so he can better control his body temperature.

Lincoln and his fellow short-nosed breeds need special consideration during the summer, but all of our pets can suffer hyperthermia. Avoid any type of outdoor exercise on a hot day and make sure pets have access to ample fresh, cool water and shade. Never leave your pet alone in a car on a warm day, regardless of whether or not the windows are open. Signs of heat stroke include: panting or difficulty breathing, dark red and dry gums, thick saliva with excessive drool, disorientation, lying down with an unwillingness to rise, collapse, seizures, elevated rectal temperature, and increased heart rate.

If you suspect your pet is suffering from heat stroke, remove him/her from the source of the heat and place him/her in front of a fan or in air conditioning, contact your veterinarian and make plans for transport immediately. You can begin cooling your pet with luke warm to cool wet rags, concentrating your cooling efforts on the head and feet. DO NOT use ice or cold water – extreme cold will cause blood vessels in the skin to constrict, preventing the body’s core from cooling. Cooling measures will be continued at the veterinary clinic where IV fluids, oxygen therapy and testing will be performed. A long hospital stay with repeat testing to check organ function is often necessary.

COURAGE DOESN'T ALWAYS ROAR...

We are pleased to announce that Bobbie Werbe, RVT, BS, CCRP, CERP joined our Surgery and Physical Rehabilitation Departments this month and brings with her just about as much knowledge and expertise as you can get in this field! The list of credentials behind Bobbie’s name gives you a good sense of her dedication to the world of veterinary physical rehabilitation!

Bobbie received her BS in Veterinary Technology from Purdue University and went on to become a ‘Certified Practitioner’ in both Canine and Equine Rehabilitation at the University of Tennessee. She is also pursuing a Vet-Stem Certification, is a published author, and has traveled the country to participate in symposiums on veterinary rehabilitation and physical therapy. What motivates Bobbie to achieve this level of proficiency? Could it be a little ten pound Dachshund named Billie?

Bobbie’s interest in rehabilitation began when, as a competitive runner, she injured her ankle and was told her running days were all but over. That challenge, combined with her love for animals, paved her way to explore and contribute to this emerging veterinary specialty.

She and Billie crossed paths in 2006 after Billie suffered a herniated disc, leaving her paralyzed and without a place to call home. Two weeks after Billie’s surgery, she was fitted with a wheel chair and Bobbie began rehabilitation with her twice a day, every day. Although there are no set rules for how long it takes a patient to regain mobility, Billie’s condition was not showing significant signs of improvement. Bobbie did not give up on her, however, and began taking daily activities and developing them into therapeutic exercises. Bobbie credits Billie, saying it was her little dog’s brave heart that motivated them both to continue. A year later, Billie took her first independent steps and went on to become a certified therapy dog through HABIT (Human Animal Bond Initiative in Tennessee). In 2009 she suffered a second herniated disc. This time Bobbie began rehabilitation just twelve hours after surgery and within three days, Billie was back in the underwater treadmill and walking on her own! Soon she and Bobbie were again visiting hospitals and bringing hope to others.

Today Bobbie is still a competitive runner and she and Billie share their home with a second rescued Dachshund named Winnie. She intends to enlist both the ‘girls’ in a pet visitation and therapy program here in Indiana once they have settled in. Bobbie admits she has ‘fallen’ for this breed, admiring their tenacity and courageous spirit. Hmmmmm…might this describe Bobbie as well?

...SOMETIMES COURAGE IS THAT QUIET VOICE AT THE END OF THE DAY SAYING, "I WILL TRY AGAIN TOMORROW".

Clinical Trials Prove Beneficial to Suffering Patients

A series of Pfizer clinical trials conducted in Circle City’s Dermatology Department have benefited several patients who otherwise would have little choice but to suffer through chronic pruritus (itching) and infection caused by allergic skin disease (atopic dermatitis). Pictured here is “Cal”, a patient and participant in this detailed 3-part trial that concluded recently. Cal is one of the select few who have been approved by Pfizer and the FDA to continue use of this experimental drug under ‘compassionate care’ guidelines. Many patients were involved in these trials and responded positively. Cal has been given special permission to stay on the drug while it continues through the FDA approval process because he failed to show adequate response to other conventional forms of treatment. If Cal was not allowed to stay on this experimental medication, he would most likely revert back to his suffering with little hope of success. Cal’s owners, Christy and Michael, are relieved that he has been approved for compassionate use of the test article. Christy stated Cal was, “…running out of options. Since he has been on this medication his hair has returned, he is back to his old self, and leading a normal life again.” Sixteen patients who participated in this trial have preliminary approval from the FDA to continue under a compassionate care agreement. Three are currently enrolled and the rest are in the final stages of this rigorous application process.

Circle City’s practice owner and head of the Dermatology Department, Terry Grieshaber, DVM, Diplomate, ACVD, has been involved with this clinical trial since the beginning. Pfizer’s site monitoring and compliance leaders have recognized Dr. Grieshaber and his support staff for their attention to detail, compliance with study guidelines, and professional standards and have utilized Circle City as a training site for their team members. Because of this success, Pfizer has asked them to participate in additional trials evaluating new alternative modalities for the treatment of Atopic Dermatitis.

A 4th ‘discovery’ trial is now in the process of closing and a completely new trial is tentatively scheduled to begin in June. The details of this 5th trial remain sketchy; however Dr. Grieshaber has been advised that training for his team should occur in the middle of May. Details will be provided as they become available. As with previous trials, clients will be compensated for their participation. Interested parties should call Circle City’s office and ask to speak with Shawna Zeilstra.