Animal Emergency Service - Canine Conditions

Bloat – Gastric Dilatation Volvulus (GDV)

GDV is a condition in which the stomach swells significantly and rotates. This results in vascular occlusion (kinking of the blood vessels) to the stomach, and prevents gas and ingested food from exiting the stomach. Typical symptoms include: non-productive retching (some animals regurgitate white froth), abdominal swelling and pain and subsequent discomfort, difficulty breathing, collapse. This is a life-threatening condition and pet owners who notice these symptoms in their dogs should contact their regular veterinarian immediately, or call Animal Emergency Service if the regular veterinarian is unavailable. Failure to rapidly treat this condition will result in your pet’s death.

Dogs brought into Animal Emergency Service with these symptoms are first evaluated by a triage nurse. Unless the triage nurse is confident that you pet is NOT bloated she will ask permission to take the patient to the treatment room for emergency evaluation by a doctor. If your dog is determined to be unstable, we will ask permission to begin initial treatment and diagnostics. We will place an intravenous (IV) catheter, give pain medication, perform gastric decompression (a procedure to relieve some of the swelling of the abdomen) and administer IV fluids. An abdominal radiograph will be taken to make the diagnosis. Blood samples will be taken for immediate and later analysis. After the initial wave of diagnostics are complete, a doctor will discuss the findings with you while others continue to stabilize your pet.

After the patient is stabilized, we will prepare him for emergency abdominal surgery to reposition the stomach and evaluate the condition of the internal organs. During surgery a gastropexy will be performed, to hold the stomach in its normal position within the abdomen. Additionally, during surgery if required, non-viable tissue will be removed. The post-operative recovery plan is tailored to each patient’s needs, but typically includes intensive monitoring and supportive care during the initial recovery period. Normally, patients recover and are discharged to you for home care two to four days after surgery.

There are many risk factors for GDV. GDV can be more common in large, deep-chested dogs (such as Great Danes), dogs with nervous temperaments, those with a family history of GDV, and those that eat aggressively and rapidly. Dogs that are fed a large volume of food once daily may also be more likely to experience bloat. The underlying cause of GDV has not been determined and as such it not possible to prevent GDV without surgery. However feeding multiple small meals has been shown to decrease the risk.

Grape/Raisin Toxicity

Grape/Raisin consumption is another reason for owners to bring their animals to Animal Emergency Service. This toxicity can result in acute kidney failure. Not all animals show clinical signs indicative of toxicity. Because of the devastating consequences of grape-induced kidney failure, we treat exposure as a potentially life-threatening condition. Owners who know their pet has ingested this toxin should contact their regular veterinarian, or call Animal Emergency Service if the regular veterinarian is unavailable, so that treatment can be started before the patient develops symptoms.

Typically we see two populations of animals that have ingested this toxin: those patients that are asymptomatic (not showing untoward affects of the toxin) and patients that present in kidney failure. Symptoms of animals suffering from grape or raisin toxicity include: vomiting, typically within 1 day of ingestion; lethargy; anorexia; diarrhea; abdominal pain; weakness; and loss of balance.

Dogs brought into Animal Emergency Service for grape/raisin consumption will be evaluated by a triage nurse. If it is a recent ingestion your pet may be taken to the treatment room to induce vomiting, followed by the administration of activated charcoal to help bind residual toxin (to keep the remaining ingested toxin from moving into your dog’s system). These animals then will be hospitalized for 2 days of fluid diuresis and a few additional diagnostics. Generally this population of animals has a good prognosis. Patients that present with clinical signs compatible with kidney failure will require extensive diagnostics and treatment. These diagnostics and treatment are largely aimed at restoration and maintenance of normal fluid volumes and supporting kidney function. This allows the damaged kidney time to regain its ability to function normally. Given the fragile nature of these patients, they require more aggressive care and treatment. Typical diagnostics include blood pressure monitoring, imaging (radiographs or ultrasound), kidney panels, blood gases, and coagulation screens. These tests help more precisely tailor treatments to improve the odds that your pet will recover. If we are unsuccessful in maintaining or restoring adequate urine production, we will recommend dialysis at a veterinary dialysis center.

Prevention is best achieved by avoiding ingestion. If your dog ingests raisins or grapes, seek medical attention immediately, as treating an asymptomatic dog is more cost-effective and they have a better prognosis. 

Leptospirosis

Leptospirosis is a bacteria that effects the liver and kidney. This bacteria can result in liver and/or kidney failure. Typical symptoms may include one or many of the following: fever, depression, loss of appetite, joint pain, nausea, excessive drinking, jaundice (yellow skin). Owners who notice these symptoms in their dogs should contact their regular veterinarian or call Animal Emergency Service if the regular veterinarian is unavailable.

Dogs brought into Animal Emergency Service with these symptoms are first evaluated by a triage nurse. If your dog is determined to be unstable, we will ask permission to begin initial supportive care prior to consultation with a doctor. If your dog is stable, consultation will occur prior to any treatment. After the initial diagnostics are complete, a doctor will discuss the findings and make recommendations for treatment.

Typical treatment consists of antibiotics, gastrointestinal protectants (medicines that protect the stomach and digestive tract), monitoring for on-going organ failure, intravenous fluids and nutritional support. Additional blood samples are sent to university labs to confirm the diagnosis and an ultrasound may be performed to evaluate abdominal organ architecture.

Because leptospirosis is concentrated in the urine, a urinary catheter is placed to decrease the risk for transmission. Typically patients are hospitalized for the better part of a week for treatment, but this will vary based on an individual’s response to treatment.

Since the bacteria is concentrated in urine, often within your pet’s normal environment, limiting exposure is difficult. For this reason we recommend vaccination. A vaccine is available for some of the serovars (subtypes of leptospirosis bacteria) and is often included in your animal’s routine preventive health program. It is also important to realize that leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease (a disease that is transmitted from animals to humans) via contact with contaminated urine. 

Rodenticide Toxicity

Consumption of anticoagulant-type rodenticide (mouse/rat bait) is another common reason for owners to bring their animals to Animal Emergency Service. Typical commercially available anticoagulant type rodenticides include: brodificoum, diphacinone, warfarin, bromadoline, and others. However, not all rodenticides are anticoagulants. If your dog ingests rodenticide, it is very helpful to bring the box/container with you when you seek treatment from the veterinarian, since treatment and prognosis are product dependent. Anticoagulant toxins prevent the recycling of vitamin K. Once the vitamin K stores are depleted, clotting factors that are dependent on this reserve fail and normal clot formation is inhibited. In general, several days are required for reserves to be sufficiently depleted to result in hemorrhage. This is a life-threatening condition if not treated appropriately. Pet owners who know that their pet has ingested this toxin should contact their regular veterinarian, or call Animal Emergency Service if the regular veterinarian is unavailable.

Typically we see two populations of animals that have ingested this toxin: those patients that are asymptomatic (not showing effects of the toxin), and patients that are actively bleeding. Symptomatic dogs may have non-specific symptoms such as collapse and pale gums, or may show more obvious signs of visible bleeding (nose, urine, stool, bruising).

Dogs brought into Animal Emergency Service for anticoagulant type rodenticide consumption will be evaluated by triage nurse. If it is a recent ingestion your pet may be taken to the treatment room to induce vomiting followed by administration of activated charcoal to help bind residual toxin (to keep the remaining ingested toxin from moving into your dog’s system). These animals will be discharged with several weeks of vitamin K1 tablets. Unstable, actively bleeding patients will be taken directly to the treatment room for immediate treatment and as such we will ask your permission to start this process prior to consultation with a doctor. Emergency treatment usually involves the placement of an IV catheter to administer intravenous fluids and oxygen therapy. The emergency veterinarian may also run a few diagnostics to aid in the initial assessment and treatment of the patient. These animals require blood products (plasma or whole blood) to replace the depleted clotting factors. Prior to administration of these products a doctor will discuss treatment and obtain a complete medical history. After the patient is stabilized, with a combination of blood products, fluids, oxygen and other symptomatic treatments, injections of vitamin K1 will be administered until oral medication is tolerated. A coagulation panel will be evaluated prior to discharge to ensure the clotting problem has resolved. Normally patients recover and are discharged to you for home care in one to three days. As with the asymptomatic animals, several weeks of vitamin K1 tablets will be prescribed. Both asymptomatic and symptomatic animals should have their coagulation profile checked shortly after discontinuing treatment with oral vitamin K1 to ensure the treatment duration was adequate.

Prevention is to avoid exposure. However, if your pet is exposed, seeking prompt support when your pet is asymptomatic is preferable to the “wait and see” approach. 

 
Elisabeth, Animal Care
Assistant with Otto

Trauma

Trauma is another common reason for owners to bring their animals to Animal Emergency Services. The most common causes of trauma we see in dogs are motor vehicle accidents and bite wounds. Other less common traumas include: falls, being stepped on, gun shot wounds, and burns. Dogs brought into Animal Emergency Service for trauma will be evaluated by a triage nurse. Unless the triage nurse is confident that you pet is stable, she will ask permission to take the patient to the treatment room for emergency evaluation by a doctor. Many animals suffering from trauma require immediate treatment and as such we will ask your permission to start this process prior to consultation with a doctor. Emergency treatment usually involves the placement of an IV catheter to administer pain medication and intravenous fluids and oxygen therapy. The emergency veterinarian may also run a few diagnostics to aid in the initial assessment and treatment of the patient. Other emergency procedures may be necessary depending upon your pet’s injury and condition. Once your pet is more stable, additional treatment and diagnostics will commence after consultation with you. Some injuries may require diagnostics and treatments that are best delivered by a board certified specialist in that area, and as such we may recommend consultation with them.

Prevention of the traumas mentioned above largely center on preventing dogs from roaming. Also, take care when introducing your dog to new animals.

Animal Emergency Service, 825 White Spruce Boulevard, Rochester, NY 14623
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