Still rested and with fond memories of the glorious New Year's Eve, I started with my first (dreaded) Saturday of the year.
As usually, it starts bright and early at 7 o'clock and it has potential to go on until the next day at 8.30 am when you pass over the phone to the next vet in charge.
Zooming thru the morning rounds, it was 2 minutes past 8 am and there were already 2 early patients waiting in the reception area ready to be seen.
And then it went on and on. I kept seeing people and patients till 2.30 pm. By the end of the session I was mumbling and I personally couldn't understand what I was trying to comunicate with the clients. But that's another issue. Of course, as it happends, in such long hours, one gets to see everything, ranging from sheer drama (road traffic accidents, blood, shock, serious neglect) to sheer nonsence (somebody waited for an hour to see me in order to tell me how her nearly one year dog is shaking her head in a cobra the snake-like fashion the minute she tries to lay down, only this morning. Physical exam was unremarkable,the dog was great, its ears were great, I send them home with the magical words monitoring and partially crying, partially laughing within myself).
Anyway, with the ear hematoma I had to solve next and the afternoon rounds, here I was, ready to go home at 5.30 pm. Which I did...knowing very well I am on call and anything can happen, but secretly wishing it will be quiet, I mean, I had already seen half of George Town that day already...!
So I had time (how God is ironic at times:) to dress up, and actually show for a lovely dinner invitation. Friends around, sparkling conversation;) and I actually had time to eat the salmon prepared by the lovely hungarian, (God is also merciful) and so I was enjoying the dinner and the people around me when....
the unavoidable happens and the phone rings.
I fled the warm dinner within 5 minutes, as it was an emergency, some body's dog had eaten a whole box of chocolates that afternoon while the owner was missing....and for you, non-veterinarian, you must know that chocolate is toxic to our canine friends.
And turns out, the owner brings along not one, but 2 (!) Labradors, that were alone with the offending box of now-gone chocolate.
We spent 3 hours together. Step one: making them vomit. We didn't know how much time had passed since ingestion, and even which one, so it was double trouble; since we don't have here for some reason that magical injection with apomorphine that makes them sick within minutes from the injection without fail (aargh, why not?! bloody regulations) I had to resort to the good old ways. So me and the owner were soaked , first peroxide, then a really saturated salty solution that we were administering orally to 2 very resentful doggies.
Peroxide did nothing, and salty water did the trick in one of them. The other one, stubborn as a mule. N-o-t-h-i-n-g. One of my colleagues has a trick thou, which I used succesfully as my last resort. A single IV full dose of cefazolin, and antibiotic that makes them usually sick if given fast IV. Which I did, which the dog did. Turned out she wasn't even guilty and only the other one had eaten the chocs.
Step two: giving them charcoal orally to absorb the potential remaining chocolate. The owners yellow shirt turned black, I was black, the dogs were annoyed, I was resigned by then knowing I won't make it back to the dinner....
Step three: IV catheters and starting them on IV fluids.
Step four: running a chemistry panel making sure all is Ok. Well, the innocent one was OK, the other one has a few values messed up, but not massively. I hoped the IV fluids will do the trick.
Step five: adieu to the owner (who happend at least to be a very nice and cooperative owner, kudos to him), writing my bill, and off I go, nearly midnight.
The night still had one surprise in store...(ha ha)...at 4.30 am the phone rang. A dog was giving birth and the owner was scared and wondering if the delivery was going well. I asked how much time had passed since the last puppy and she said, few minutes. Ok, I said, call me back in 2 hours if another puppy is not emerging. (Oh, please God, please God, make it alright and make her not call me back...zzzzzzzzz)
The phone didn't ring till next morning around 8.30,with another case (the dog's delivery went very well) when I was quite happy to say "yes, sure, bring it to the clinic" while I was driving myself towards there but only to drop that bloody phone off.....
...and continue with a quiet and sunny relaxing Carribean Sunday of doing almost nothing and soothing my nerves:)))) and pointed with an adventure of diving right outside 7 Mile Beach till underneath the before mentioned yacht so see it's anchor and sheer size from underneath.
Oh, how we have fun as vets:)))
Thursday, 8 January 2009
Tuesday, 6 January 2009
Where the rich and famous spend their holidays
Happy New Year to you all out there!
Latest news from this island out here coming up soon:)
With temperatures ranging from a max 28 C in the daytime and a minimal 24C in the nighttime, no wonder this piece of land is a winter haven, especially at this time of the year.
So, parked right outside 7 Mile Beach, for a few days now, this really large yacht has made its appearance and spent the whole holidays season.....
The picture is probably not doing it justice, but maybe you can get a more of an idea of the size of this baby if you related to the helicopter from the upper right corner.
This, ladies and gentleman, is the 20th largest yacht of the world, called Tatoosh, and belonging to the other Microsoft guy, Paul Allen. It is 300 feet long, helicopter and up to 6 other boats on board, swimming pool, private movie theater and a submarine. And has spent Christmas time in Grand Cayman.
Yes, ladies and gentleman, me and Paul Allen, on the 1st of January, where looking at the same turquoise waters. Me, basking in the sun in a balcony from 7 Mile Beach and looking towards his boat; him, basking in the sun on his yacht, looking towards 7 Mile Beach.
Well....good for me if I can say so myself:)
Of course I will pay very dearly this moments of self enchantment as you will read in my next post and remember myself that I am but a humble vet after all, but more of that in the post to come.
PS My Windows wanted to update so I said why not? Go and update. (although I am pretty sure I did this before...however this time I got caught. Caught for using a not-so-expensive romanian version of it, long story short; now I have a black desktop and the "this copy of windows is not genuine" label ...whatever...) I feel like telling the guy, come on, mate, we practically know each other since we both spent Christmas in the same location.... give me a break will you?!)
PPS Even this very rich guy must have its bad days. What's the use to have such a big boat, if not far from where he is at, the cruise ships park daily unloading their 2-3000 daily visitors. Even his huge boat fades in comparison to those mammut cruise ships:)
Latest news from this island out here coming up soon:)
With temperatures ranging from a max 28 C in the daytime and a minimal 24C in the nighttime, no wonder this piece of land is a winter haven, especially at this time of the year.
So, parked right outside 7 Mile Beach, for a few days now, this really large yacht has made its appearance and spent the whole holidays season.....
The picture is probably not doing it justice, but maybe you can get a more of an idea of the size of this baby if you related to the helicopter from the upper right corner.
This, ladies and gentleman, is the 20th largest yacht of the world, called Tatoosh, and belonging to the other Microsoft guy, Paul Allen. It is 300 feet long, helicopter and up to 6 other boats on board, swimming pool, private movie theater and a submarine. And has spent Christmas time in Grand Cayman.
Yes, ladies and gentleman, me and Paul Allen, on the 1st of January, where looking at the same turquoise waters. Me, basking in the sun in a balcony from 7 Mile Beach and looking towards his boat; him, basking in the sun on his yacht, looking towards 7 Mile Beach.
Well....good for me if I can say so myself:)
Of course I will pay very dearly this moments of self enchantment as you will read in my next post and remember myself that I am but a humble vet after all, but more of that in the post to come.
PS My Windows wanted to update so I said why not? Go and update. (although I am pretty sure I did this before...however this time I got caught. Caught for using a not-so-expensive romanian version of it, long story short; now I have a black desktop and the "this copy of windows is not genuine" label ...whatever...) I feel like telling the guy, come on, mate, we practically know each other since we both spent Christmas in the same location.... give me a break will you?!)
PPS Even this very rich guy must have its bad days. What's the use to have such a big boat, if not far from where he is at, the cruise ships park daily unloading their 2-3000 daily visitors. Even his huge boat fades in comparison to those mammut cruise ships:)
Sunday, 21 December 2008
Wishing you all.....
.... a merry merry Christmas!
And if Santa Claus doesn't visit you this year, it's because he's chilling out in his flip-flops down south, in the Carribean! But I hope he does come and y'all have a fine time out there.
All I want for Christmas.... is a moderate amount of calls out as I shall be on call:)
And if Santa Claus doesn't visit you this year, it's because he's chilling out in his flip-flops down south, in the Carribean! But I hope he does come and y'all have a fine time out there.
All I want for Christmas.... is a moderate amount of calls out as I shall be on call:)
An unusual case
Well, imagine my puzzle a few days ago when somebody brings in 2 rescue puppies.
That in itself is not something unusual of course, especially since we collaborate so closely with the local Humane Society. But there was something else about them...
No signs of trauma, normal temperature, wagging their tails... but on sternal recumbency and over all....no muscle tonus. The consistency of a kitchen rag. And mildly dehydrated.
But...both of them??? In the same time?
They were quiet and sweet. But what is wrong?
However, before I got to panic and put the worse in front and started a more complicated treatment, Dr. Brenda was around. A very experienced practitioner, she said...Oh, it looks like a case of botulism! Maybe they both ate a rotten chicken or something!
And turns out, she was right. That's because with nothing but supportive care, they gained more strenght every passing day, and now, about a week later, they actually stand up and even started walking. By the time I get back in tomorrow they might even be running around:)
As treatment, there is a specific serum out there but we didn't have it in the clinic (well...it's the first case I have seen ever and the first one there in almost a year of work. And they seem to do dandy fine even without it). So we just gave them oral antibiotics, corrected dehydration (with fluids SC even, as they resumed quickly eating and drinking provided it was...very available) and supportive care.
And before you know it, they'll be up for adoption!
That in itself is not something unusual of course, especially since we collaborate so closely with the local Humane Society. But there was something else about them...
No signs of trauma, normal temperature, wagging their tails... but on sternal recumbency and over all....no muscle tonus. The consistency of a kitchen rag. And mildly dehydrated.
But...both of them??? In the same time?
They were quiet and sweet. But what is wrong?
However, before I got to panic and put the worse in front and started a more complicated treatment, Dr. Brenda was around. A very experienced practitioner, she said...Oh, it looks like a case of botulism! Maybe they both ate a rotten chicken or something!
And turns out, she was right. That's because with nothing but supportive care, they gained more strenght every passing day, and now, about a week later, they actually stand up and even started walking. By the time I get back in tomorrow they might even be running around:)
As treatment, there is a specific serum out there but we didn't have it in the clinic (well...it's the first case I have seen ever and the first one there in almost a year of work. And they seem to do dandy fine even without it). So we just gave them oral antibiotics, corrected dehydration (with fluids SC even, as they resumed quickly eating and drinking provided it was...very available) and supportive care.
And before you know it, they'll be up for adoption!
Wednesday, 3 December 2008
What happened lately in the Caymans
Well, it's been a long time since my last post. I left the story to when hurricane Paloma was just about to hit us. It was quite an adventure. The hours before a hurricane aren't pretty...just windy and rainy, rainy, rainy. We all had our bit of fun trying to get all the animals from the clinic safe and sound, and then get ourselves safe.
I wasn't quite safe as we opted to spend it not far from the sea, in a lovely apartment without hurricane shutters ... but with a grand view. Luckily, about an hour before it would have been a direct hit, it turned and continued it's trip with rage, crushing straight into Cayman Brac, a mere 100 km away, as a hurricane cat 4. Lots of damage there, and many torned houses, luckily no human or animal victims that I know of. Can't put my hand in fire for the wildlife thou!
With this late comer, the 2008 hurricane season, and my first one ever, came to an end.
And then all others started flying by... Halloween, a big deal on the island. Many people dressed up, and even I went as a small Dracula. I had to, right:) ? Then Pirate's week, a weekend in fact of fun and everybody taking a turn of dressing up as a pirate or a wench, which is that tarty female you see in the company of pirates. All in good fun, thou! Then Thanksgiving, where there was plenty to eat other then the traditional turkey for the vegetarians amongst us;
And now the whole island is putting the lights on, preparing for the mega Christmans celebrations. Some are over doing it, but generally all in bright spirits. It's funny to see the palms lightened up like christmas trees, but one has to work with what's available, right?
Also, another warm December for me (and I don't complain there a bit!!). The weather and the sea have cooled down a bit, and it can be windy at times, but we are still enjoying a daily 27 C.
No question of a white Christmas thou, unless we count the perfect powder sugar sand!
Missing lots and lots my friends and family back home, and the lights from Bucharest, and all the fun free time I used to have around this time of the year....
Yours, from far,
Andreea
I wasn't quite safe as we opted to spend it not far from the sea, in a lovely apartment without hurricane shutters ... but with a grand view. Luckily, about an hour before it would have been a direct hit, it turned and continued it's trip with rage, crushing straight into Cayman Brac, a mere 100 km away, as a hurricane cat 4. Lots of damage there, and many torned houses, luckily no human or animal victims that I know of. Can't put my hand in fire for the wildlife thou!
With this late comer, the 2008 hurricane season, and my first one ever, came to an end.
And then all others started flying by... Halloween, a big deal on the island. Many people dressed up, and even I went as a small Dracula. I had to, right:) ? Then Pirate's week, a weekend in fact of fun and everybody taking a turn of dressing up as a pirate or a wench, which is that tarty female you see in the company of pirates. All in good fun, thou! Then Thanksgiving, where there was plenty to eat other then the traditional turkey for the vegetarians amongst us;
And now the whole island is putting the lights on, preparing for the mega Christmans celebrations. Some are over doing it, but generally all in bright spirits. It's funny to see the palms lightened up like christmas trees, but one has to work with what's available, right?
Also, another warm December for me (and I don't complain there a bit!!). The weather and the sea have cooled down a bit, and it can be windy at times, but we are still enjoying a daily 27 C.
No question of a white Christmas thou, unless we count the perfect powder sugar sand!
Missing lots and lots my friends and family back home, and the lights from Bucharest, and all the fun free time I used to have around this time of the year....
Yours, from far,
Andreea
Thursday, 6 November 2008
News flash
And just when we thought the weather has cooled off and the hurricane danger is off....
well not really....it doesn't officially stop till end of november!
And just to prove the rule right, we are again under hurricane watch. A new baby called Paloma will come to visit us within 24-36 h, hurricane potentially even category 3, will hit us full blast!
Keeping you posted. Already the 2nd hurricane of the season!
Paloma over and out,
Andreea
well not really....it doesn't officially stop till end of november!
And just to prove the rule right, we are again under hurricane watch. A new baby called Paloma will come to visit us within 24-36 h, hurricane potentially even category 3, will hit us full blast!
Keeping you posted. Already the 2nd hurricane of the season!
Paloma over and out,
Andreea
Monday, 3 November 2008
What tickled my brain lately...
Well, ... eyes. In fact lately I have had quite a few interesting opthalmologic cases which I could not refer so I had to deal with them on the spot. Thou I have consulted the diplomat specialist on one in particular.
I had 2 corneal ulcers. One was old and superficial and multiple attempts of conservative management failed. The eye kept staining with fluorescein, thru many frustrating weeks of believing it can be managed without surgery.
The other one was new and acute, a good case of desmetocel turned anterior chamber prolapse with some iris in the equation in an 8 month puppy.
I did in both a procedure, quite straightforward, which I've come to love...a 3rd eyelid flap. Technique is important, as tension applied had to be just right; owner compliance ever so important as after care as eye drops and E-collar is vital; and another new trick is the usage of own patient serum alternatively with antibiotics;
Both of them healed well after 3 weeks of the flap in place. Even the nasty iris one healed well, with a good new scar but still, healed!
Another cool one, a case of Horner's syndrome in a 5 year old male neutered Dobermann; was a bit puzzled with that but after reviewing some neuro-ophtalmology and the nervous path way (long live Predoi..NOT:) all became more clearer.
And outside of the eyes, we had a magic case of a diaphragmatic hernia in a 3 month puppy...a very nasty one that made it succesfully.... more of that in a later episode.
And 3 cheers to my current favourite drug... long live Dopram. Respiratory stimulant that is a God sent:)
I had 2 corneal ulcers. One was old and superficial and multiple attempts of conservative management failed. The eye kept staining with fluorescein, thru many frustrating weeks of believing it can be managed without surgery.
The other one was new and acute, a good case of desmetocel turned anterior chamber prolapse with some iris in the equation in an 8 month puppy.
I did in both a procedure, quite straightforward, which I've come to love...a 3rd eyelid flap. Technique is important, as tension applied had to be just right; owner compliance ever so important as after care as eye drops and E-collar is vital; and another new trick is the usage of own patient serum alternatively with antibiotics;
Both of them healed well after 3 weeks of the flap in place. Even the nasty iris one healed well, with a good new scar but still, healed!
Another cool one, a case of Horner's syndrome in a 5 year old male neutered Dobermann; was a bit puzzled with that but after reviewing some neuro-ophtalmology and the nervous path way (long live Predoi..NOT:) all became more clearer.
And outside of the eyes, we had a magic case of a diaphragmatic hernia in a 3 month puppy...a very nasty one that made it succesfully.... more of that in a later episode.
And 3 cheers to my current favourite drug... long live Dopram. Respiratory stimulant that is a God sent:)
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