0111Singapore veterinary education stories in "The Glamorous Vets, Singapore".
A BE KIND TO PETS community project sponsored by  AsiaHomes Internet

A sad question without an answer.

"Dr Foo, when I am sick," Mr Williams said, "I don't see the doctor. I take two pannadols". 

How should I reply to the Owner of the beautiful white Spitz that had been gnawing at his tail for weeks? Now half its length was gone.

Raw bone stripped of skin protruding like an eyesore, dangling strips ligaments flared at the sides of the bone amid the dried up blood vessels licked dry by the dog from the stub could be seen. 

There was no way that one injection would resolve the tail biting problem. I could only offer him the various modes of treatment.  

The six-year old Spitz had been whining many times, chasing its tail, as if in pain. The cries had increased in intensity and had disturbed the neighbours and upset the pre-teen daughter.  

How much it would cost to resolve this tail-chewing syndrome? 

Was it too late now that the dog had severe anaemia?  It looked healthy but the tongue was pallid, the lightest pink in colour, as if it had been drained of blood.

Don't judge a book by its cover. This was more serious internally as dogs with tail wounds don't have a reduction in the number of red blood cells or the total amount of hemoglobin in the blood stream or of both, resulting in paleness and loss of vitality.

"The tail would need to be amputated," I said.  "The Spitz is suffering from anaemia, most likely due to the loss of blood from the persistent biting of the tail blood vessels or to septic infections via the tail bone for many weeks.   

This means that no anaesthesia could be done as it will be too risky and may lead to death." I continued.  

"What could be done to stop the cries of pain?" Mr Williams asked.   

"There are a few options.  To put the dog to sleep is one." 

"No, no, my daughter loved her very much," Mr Williams objected. 

"To board the dog so that her tail would not be irritated by flies and treat her with antibiotics for some time.  It would take a few weeks for the Spitz to recover from anaemia before she was strong enough for surgery to amputate the tail."  The total costs would be high. It was unacceptable offer.
  
"To operate immediately and you take the risk that the dog might die under   anaesthesia," I said. "The risk is very high and you will have to pay for the surgical and anaesthetic cost even if the dog dies on the operating table."

I would rather not perform such an operation as it would be very traumatic to everyone at the Surgery and to the family if the dog's heart fails in the middle of anaesthesia and the dog  dies.  This option was rejected by Mr Williams.  

"To clean up the tail wound, give pain killers and antibiotics but this would not last for more than a few days." The last option was all right. Mr Wiliams could keep the dog in a fly-free environment. 

I told Mr Williams that it would be risky even to tranquilise the anemic Spitz to clean up the tail wound. She needed to be tranquilized otherwise it would not be possible to clean up the wound.  

Two days later, the owner complained that she was having fits.  She was unable to stand up although she tried, as if she had suffered from a stroke.  The whole family felt the pain of seeing her paddling her feet and being unable to stand up.  Under these circumstances, it was humane for the dog to be euthanased. 

Veterinary costs was a big consideration in this case.  Was the seeking of professional advice too late?  It is one of those sad questions  I ask myself many times. It is a sad question with no answer. 
                 

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"Have a sense of humor" education article is supported by Asiahomes Internet.    Revised: January 11, 2001. · Asiahomes Internet
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