Small Animal/Exotics Work

Cassie Hoy, Ross University

Hello! 5th semester student at Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine hoping to go into mixed animal medicine after graduation here. I had the opportunity to intern at a Small Animal/Exotics practice over break with a PDF Scholarship. The veterinarians and technicians I worked with were incredibly supportive of my learning more hands-on skills, I'm much more confident with phlebotomy and placing endotracheal tubes now! Every day was something different: allergy dogs, diabetic cats, bird wing clips and even a rabbit neuter - seeing concepts learned in classes like Clinical Pathology and Immunology in the real clinic setting was exciting. While I didn't know everything going on, this was the first time I was able to follow why certain diagnostic tests were being run or how the medication was going to help our patients. We even went over disaster preparedness rules from my Public Health course with hurricane Dorian looming in, that was the only clinic I've been in that was built for evacuation use. The practice owner gave me some awesome tips for handling problems with panicky pet owners - everyone needs to stay calm in situations like that! Overall, I truly enjoyed having the chance to intern and would love to go back. I'm incredibly thankful for the experience and I know what to expect from my future career!

Beautiful Pet Portraits

Check out these incredible pet portraits created by Alena Naimark from Tufts University!

  

Alena enjoys creating these as stress relief from school. If you want one of your very own, contact us here at The Vet Gazette, and we can get you in contact with Alena! 

Cutaneous Mass: A Case Report

Honorable Mention, Cases/Abstracts
Jacquelyn Horner, University of Georgia

1. Subjective:

Chance

4 YO male neutered boxer

Wt: 29 kg

Resides in Georgia

Chance is a blood donor for the UGA CVM Teaching Hospital. He undergoes yearly health screenings, which include physical examination, vaccination, and parasite testing. He is presenting today for his annual visit. He is bright, alert, and responsive. There are no abnormalities noted on physical exam, with the exception of a small, cutaneous mass on the lateral right hind leg. He has a BCS of 4/9. His lungs are clear and his heart is loud and strong. The owner states that the mass has been present for at least one year and has not changed in size during that time. It does not seem to bother Chance. The owner has noticed that upon manipulation, the mass undergoes temporary changes such as swelling and redness.

Chance was previously seen for routine bloodwork to be evaluated as a canine blood donor candidate approximately 6 months ago. A series of blood/diagnostic tests were run including: CBC, chemistry, urinalysis, tick panel, parasite smear, fecal flotation, heartworm test, and blood typing. There were no abnormalities found. The superficial mass was noted in the records at that time, but was not further evaluated.

Due to the patient history, breed, and physical exam findings, a fine needle aspirate was taken from the cutaneous mass.

Objective:

Chance has a cutaneous mass measuring 1cm X 1cm on his right lateral stifle. The fine needle aspirate cytology (Wright’s stain) revealed large numbers of round cells with purple intracytoplasmic granules:

Fine needle aspirate was attempted at the regional popliteal lymph node as well, but it was unsuccessful.

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Chronic Quadriceps Contracture in an Adult Cat

Winner, Cases/Abstracts
Ashley Nichols, Ross

Cloe is my three-year-old, spayed, Domestic Short Hair, feline that was adopted in 2010 at the age of one. When Cloe was adopted from the shelter, she displayed a hind limb deformity. The right hind limb deformity resulted in a permanent extension of the right hind limb (Figure 1). It was suggested by the shelter that the “cat was abused or hit by a car prior to arrival.” Subsequently, I have not seen nor taken any radiographs of the right hind limb. Since 2010, there have been no clinically observable changes in the condition of the right hind limb and Cloe has been up to date on all medications, and vaccines. On December 17^th, 2012, Dr Paula A. Schuerer DVM saw Cloe as a new patient. She was seen for a physical exam and baseline radiographs.

Physical Examination

Cloe’s weight, 9 lbs, and body condition score (3.5/5) put her in the overweight category.  Nevertheless, with exception to abnormalities being in the muscular skeletal system, the rest of physical exam findings were within normal limits. Examination of Cloe’s movement demonstrated an abnormal gait. Yet, she had no difficulty in moving around the exam room, including an attempt to jump off the exam table. When in a sitting position, it was observed that Cloe’s right hind limb was in a fixed position and abnormally protruded from the body.

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Ready for Anesthesia

By: Melissa Baker

Ross University, Class of 2012

If only they could come to school and make all those dots for you!