OVARIOHYSTERCTOMY

Uterus and ovaries of a cat that underwent ovariohysterectomy.
Note that this is not a normal uterus of a pregnant and a non pregnant cat.

I apparently forgot her name since this case was dated October 2008. However, this kitty came in for elective ovariohysterectomy or spaying. Her owner doesn't want her to get pregnant anymore since she is already old. Her one and only pregnancy was about 5 years ago and the owner was actually almost complaining of the monthly visitors = the tomcats looking for a mate and the kitty calling out for one.

Since her blood results were all normal, we then scheduled the next day for surgery.

During the surgery, i thought i was looking at a pregnant uterus, however, upon exteriorization, it does not appear to be normal at all. We then proceeded with the ligation and the cutting of the uterine horns with the ovaries and the uterine body.

Out of curiosity, I decided to open up the uterus to check what is inside. FLUIDS.

Ovariohysterectomy is usually done as an Animal Birth Control (ABC) measure. Aside from this, other reasons for ovariohysterectomy are prevention of mammary tumors, and ovarian and uterine neoplasia, treatment of choice for pyometra and metritis, and may be recommended for other conditions such as uterine cysts, torsion, uterine prolapse, endocrine abnormalities and dermatoses.

The cat went home after recovery and is in good condition.

This is nicole… after boob repair!

I didn’t took a before shot - I forgot. Sorry!
Well, what happened was she jumped off a fence, and giving birth about two weeks ago, unaware that her mammary glands enlarged maximally, got caught on the wire leaving a 5 inch laceration. Luckily, it wasn’t too deep. But is was bloody and during repair, I noticed blood and milk mixing… I know she was just fine, she stayed about two more days after her admittance. The owner apparently forgot she was in, I think. But she terribly missed her puppies while at the clinic.

Capillary hemangioma excision

When I first saw this dog, the clinic (AI Animal Medical Center) smelled like a used shoe which was stored in a closet while still wet. Basically, by his smell, you will know he is nearby. Why? Because of the ears. Apparently the ear has a bleeding wound, dirty,wet and smelly. Biopsy was taken and was found to be a capillary hermangioma.

A hemangioma is a benign (non-cancerous) vascular tumor (versus hemangiosarcoma) which usually affects older dogs. Basically it presents as a solitary slow growing nodule which may be left alone unless it causes a problem. In this dog, it is ulcerated and is non healing with possibility of getting infected thus its only cure is its excision. In this case, an ear capillary hemangioma excision was done.

This is the retriever while prepared for the surgery. Preanesthetics are given through the intravenous catheter.

After induction of anesthesia, the area is clipped, cleaned and disinfected thoroughly. Notice that the ear is soiled due to mixture of exudates and dirt.

The tumor is incised and in this photo, the wound is being cautherized to prevent further bleeding.

This is the ear after excision. Notice the location of the already removed tumor.

After the removal, the wound is carefully stitched to close the skin but not obscuring the ear canal.

After surgery, there was no follow up visit. Most likely, the owner of the dog (who was a medical doctor) removed the stitches at home.

Legg Calve Perthes Disease

About more than two months ago, Terri, a Jack Russel Terrier, underwent femoral head ostectomy (removal of the femoral head) of the right hip. This February, during the orthopedic workshop, the left femoral head will also be removed.

Why is that?

It is because Terri has been diagnosed with Legg Calve Perthes Disease (Avascular, Aseptic developmental osteonecrosis of the femoral head and neck).

What?! Basic Terms Please!

This is a genetic disease of small breeds where there is decreased blood supply (avascular) to the femoral head and neck causing that part of the body tho die (osteonecrosis) aseptically (no infection). The death of the area causes the irregularly shaped femoral head with new bone spicules growing. These bone spicules or fragments causes pain and limping as it bumps and grind with the acetabulum (socket of the hip where the femoral head fits).

This is Terri before the surgery, after induction of anesthesia.

This radiograph was taken a day before the second surgery, notice that the right femoral head (your left) is already gone (operated November 2008). Now, its time for the left femoral head to be removed.

Femoral head ostectomy will prevent pain and limping experienced by the dog due to the contact of new irregular bone spicules with the acetabulum. And since JRT's are fairly muscular dogs, they are able to gain good gait a few weeks after surgery provided adequate care and management is given.

this japanese domestic cat

about 2 days before i left japan, this cat was presented at the clinic. unable to stand, weak and dehydated. owners told us that the cat went missing for several days and when they found her (cat), she was in this condition. radiograph revealed comminuted fracture of the proximal third of the right femur, we suspected hit by car incident or trauma/blow. blood tests were also done and we found out that the cat was positive for Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) aka Feline Aids (another story). This cat underwent surgery 2 days later which i wasn't able to see coz i was on my way back to manila.

If this happened here in the philippines there are several ways this cat will end up.

1. an individual who can afford the surgery and loves this cat will have a go for surgery and confinement.

2 an individual will bring this cat to the clinic but declines surgery, opts for other choices and may have the cat euthanized.

3. a person will bring this to the clinic and abandon it.

3. will end up on the streets to die.

Anyway, since this took place in japan, it was brought to the clinic and care was given.

I did some follow up through e-mail to Dr. Toshi (hi doc!) and he said that she got well, she was able to walk. Apparently an infection occured at the limb with the implant and they need to remove the implant (not the limb!) and it became better.