Catherine Williams's Activities

Tooth eruption after jaw fracture

Catherine Williams — Fri, 25 Mar 2022 14:24:51 GMT

I have a 8mth old Chihuahua that presented to the practice at 4mth old after being bitten on the face causing an open fracture to the mandible around PM1-2. A splint was attached between canine & carnassial but this only lasted 9 days before it dame off & the fracture was left to heal on its own. 4 wks later it was still a little unstable but callus was forming well. He wasn't seen again until this week, he is apparently eating well, his jaw feels stable with a distinct callus. However I am concerned as he has retained deciduous canines on all 4 quadrants & his lower permanent K9s appear to be lingually displaced which I suspect may cause problems. He also appears to have not had eruption of premolars around the fracture site. I know chihuahuas can be slow to complete dental eruption, at what point should I be worried. I am considering anaesthesia & dental radiography but I am twitching about dental extractions in a previously damaged jaw or whether intervention will be required for the retained premolars. Is there a chance the premolars will appear yet? If they don't would the recommendation be to intervene or to monitor? He appears to be coping well but the owners are concerned that occasionally they get a bloody smell from his mouth. No damage was visible on exam but he isn't the easiest dog to check the lingual aspects of the mandible given his small size & sensitivity on having his mouth handled.

Thanks in advance for any advice

What procedure(s) would you like to see demonstrated by an expert?

Arlo Guthrie — Mon, 08 Mar 2021 15:47:33 GMT

I'm just working on a new idea, and wondering if you could suggest ideas for procedures that you think it would be really helpful to see performed by an expert. Could be relatively simple stuff where you think they may have a useful technique or tip, or perhaps something more unusual.

Ovary sparing spay

Catherine Williams — Mon, 29 Jul 2019 12:40:27 GMT

I've had a client with a 16mth old GSD ask if we can do an ovary sparing spay. Her bitch lives with an entire dog (he's on suprelorin) and she is keen to avoid removing the hormones from either dog as she believes this can increase the risk of diseases such as osteosarc + haemangiosarc. I have never seen or done an ovary sparing spay & the only information I've seen on line is from what I consider a slightly dubious "out there" source. Has anyone ever come across this technique or have any experience of it? I'm wondering if I follow the owner's slightly unconventional request or if I just say that it is not a procedure we believe in & refuse to do it. Any input gratefully received. Thanks

Free to good home

Catherine Williams — Wed, 19 Sep 2018 09:47:58 GMT

Anyone out there appreciate some case based self assessment review books? They are not recent but may still be of use to a student somewhere, been tucked under my bed unused for years, can't quite bring myself to bin a book.

Any takers, will rehome for postage only

Stolen pup

Catherine Williams — Sat, 25 Mar 2017 11:31:22 GMT

Posting on behalf of a distraught local owner, break in to their house when various valuables, the car & a much loved pup were stolen. Burnt out car recovered, 14wk pup still missing.

Just a plea to say please keep your eyes open

Thanks

Informed consent, the senior owner

Catherine Williams — Thu, 16 Mar 2017 15:17:23 GMT

Had a couple of cases recently with some concerns about how to determine when an older owner is able to give informed consent. I've had 1 case with an elderly owner who refused to give permission to put a dog to sleep when everyone else involved in it's care from owner's son to carers all agreed that it's quality of life was miserable. With the legal owner refusing permission I rather felt my hands were tied and I couldn't go against that lack of consent. Fortunately it was eventually resolved by a very long & patient discussion with the owner, ensuring her views were heard.

I now have a case of another patient who really needs to be euthanased, not in marked distress but severe neuro issues compromising quality of life & not improving. Owner today is willing to give permission for euthanasia but during conversations I am getting the impression that she either doesn't understand or remember (or both) the conversations we are having. I think the cat has had an infarct or spinal bleed, I've explained this at least twice each consult but we are still having the "I think she's had a stroke" conversation. She has also got confused over medication, appointment times & directions for physio. So I'm not sure how good a handle she has on the situation, even when she appears on the surface to be accepting what you are saying.

So do you accept the consent you've been given & not question the underlying state or do you look into other options? There is a daughter but I can't contact her, we have no contact details so I have to wait for her to call us. She informed my receptionist earlier that the cat wasn't doing well but she didn't think her mum was in the right place to make decisions today.

I'm left scratching my head wanting to do the right thing but not really wanting to say "I think you've got dementia so I won't let you decide this on your own"

Anyone else been here (hopefully the decision making and not the dementia!!)?

VetSurgeon.org

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 09:59:44 GMT