Fifth Avenue Veterinary Hospital | Dr. Roy J Appel

10/03/2012

10/03/2012

Day one. "Nafanya", being the little explorer a three year old, male, Yorkshire Terrier can be, came upon twenty grapes when no one was looking.

Day two. "Nafanya" is lethargic, vomiting repeatedly and his owner sees grape skins in "Nafanya's" f***s. "Nafanya" is critically ill, hospitalized and placed on intensive intravenous fluid therapy. What happened?

Grapes and raisins, known toxins to dogs, can cause severe life threatening acute kidney failure. Treatment requires high loadings of intravenous fluids via an intravenous infusion pump for an average of one week to get through the initial crisis.

Day seven. "Nafanya" is feeling pretty good and going home today.

Subcutaneous fluid infusions will be given at home by her owner for an additional thirty days until "Nafanya's" kidneys recover and function on their own.

09/23/2012

"Sandy" had been sneezing for two days after hiking in the woods. This is what I removed under sedation!

09/08/2012

www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6C-JgkpY18

Hope you enjoy this...

The ultimate trust between man and beast.

08/19/2012

What’s the single best thing you can do to prevent dental disease in your dog or cat?

The gold-standard for prevention of gum disease in dogs and cats is tooth-brushing on a regular basis (4-7 times per week). The toothbrush used should have soft bristles (like a kid's tooth brush).

There are several excellent toothpastes designed for cats and dogs available on the market. Human toothpastes should not be used on animals.

Do you brush your pets' teeth?

07/15/2012

Do animals get the flu?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mR1UvAnqXNc&feature=plcp

Photo credits are as follows: Cat: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cat_close-up_2004_b.jpg Credit: Cayambe Dog in grass: http://commons.wikimedia.org/...

06/07/2012

“Rose”, the sweetest little 10 month old Shih Tzu puppy, presented to our office on Saturday evening with a vague history of lethargy and mild gastrointestinal signs. On examination her eye mucous membranes, tongue and lips all exhibited extreme paleness indicative of loss of blood. As “Rose” showed no signs of external bleeding or internal hemorrhage, a presumptive suspicion of hemolytic disease was suspected. Hemolytic disease occurs when the red blood cells are altered either due to infection, toxins or autoimmune disease (where one’s own white blood cells begin attacking and destroying one’s own red blood cells.)

On a hunch, and to be careful not to misdiagnose “Rose’s” illness and thus lose her, an x ray was taken disclosing something unusual. A metal object raised suspicion for life threatening “Zinc Toxicosis”. Pennies made after 1982 are predominantly made of 92% zinc. Ingestion of just one penny brought “Rose” close to death as her own stomach acid was dissolving the penny sending the poisonous zinc throughout her system. Zinc toxicosis is fatal if undetected. Intravascular hemolytic anemia and multiorgan failure ensues to death.

Upon immediate intravenous support, “Rose” underwent immediate surgery to remove the source of her toxemia and was given a vitally needed transfusion to save her life. With “round the clock” care that night, “Rose” began her slow recovery.

“Rose” is again back to her playful as can be self and she “promises” no more pennies!!!

02/23/2012

"Coffee", a five month old Boxer puppy, had been mischievous and presented with a history of having eaten a toy!!! Many dogs are attracted to children's toys as well as their own consuming them, resulting in gastrointestinal obstructions requiring surgery. This six inch long toy and similar objects such as string, cord, rope, needles and thread, are referred to as "linear foreign objects" which pets are mysteriously attracted to. Luckily, the owners were aware of "Coffee's" exploits and brought her in in time for us to induce vomiting before possible obstruction might occur. Again, another happy ending.

09/25/2011

"Ross", a seven year old, male beagle, is now living the good life after being rescued from a shelter by his new owner. Apart from severe dental disease and hypothyroidism, "Ross" never disclosed anything unusual about himself. As others rescued from a shelter, there was no biography accompanying him to chronicle the life he had lived and seen.
One day, in severe pain, his x-rays unfolded his ordeal surviving a shotgun blast leaving 29 pellets in his head, neck and chest.
Upon medical care, he is now pain free, in his new home and loved. What more can we ask for?

08/02/2011

This is a sad reality. Hopefully, the raised awareness will get more people to spay/neuter, adopt and donate.

Dr. Roy J Appel

Imagine: 5,500 dog portraits, representing the one-day death toll in U.S. shelters. It's an exhibit its artist hopes will raise awareness.