TulsaPets Magazine September 2021

September/October 2021 • TulsaPets 33 for a checkup and blood work. I’m a firm believer that a dog, especially a senior, should have routine blood work at least once a year to be sure the dog is aging well and doesn’t need an adjustment in diet or medication to stay healthy and comfortable in those golden years. With Bruce’s symptoms, my years of experience caring for dogs made me a little suspect of his kidney function. The results of his blood work, however, thankfully discounted my amateur D.V.M. suspicions. The veterinarian with the actual degree and credibility reported that Bruce’s results were blissfully normal. And yet there was still that nagging ADR poking at me every time I looked at him. It might be easy to brush his mild symptoms off and tell myself to stop being such a worrywart. But blood work provides only one piece of the puzzle when dealing with animals who have no good way to tell us where it hurts. Oftentimes, you need to take a few more steps to ensure their well-being. With no clear answers, I think Bruce needs a little closer look, and I know my veterinarian will agree that ultrasound is a logical next step. So why leap to what some might consider an extreme measure? Why not just do normal X-rays? Patrick Grogan, D.V.M., medical director at VCA Woodland East Animal Hospital, has been one of my go-to vets for ultrasound technology. So I asked him about standard X-rays verses the benefits of ultrasound imaging. Ultrasound is a completely noninvasive technique that uses sound waves to produce a picture within the body in real time, allow- ing the veterinarian to assess the condition of organs and soft issues in a manner that X-rays can’t. Basically, Grogan explained, X-rays capture single images of anatomy and are beneficial for assessing bones or for look- ing at air-filled organs such as lungs. For soft tissue or tissue-dense organs such as kidneys and livers, an X-ray will show the outline of the organ, but an ultrasound serves as a window to see inside the tissue. Ultrasound allows veterinarians to look at the size and texture of organs. It can reveal abnormalities on the surface of organs as well as changes within those organs. Grogan also explained that ultra- sound might detect a mass when it is only centimeters in size but might not be visible by X-ray until it is much larger. There are many reasons a veterinarian might prescribe an ultrasound. Maybe, as with Bruce, a dog is experiencing unex- plained weight loss, lack of appetite, vomit- ing, or diarrhea. Maybe he has fluid in the abdomen or a mass found during an exam that needs a closer look. An ultrasound would also be indicated in helping to diag- nose an intestinal obstruction. Ultrasound imaging can provide valuable information to aid in deciding whether a condition requires surgery, biopsies, more specific blood tests, or medications. Grogan suggests that in addition to senior pets, breeds of dog that experience a higher rate of cancer — including Gold- en Retrievers, Rottweilers, and Bernese Mention this ad for a FREE tooth brushing or specialty shampoo 918-933-6060 In Scissortail Square 41st & 129th E Ave Mon-Fri 7:30am - 5:30pm • Sat 8am - Noon • 6333 E. 120th Court, Ste G, Tulsa, OK • 918-584-8535 Dr. Phil McKinney Small Animal Hospital • Digital Radiology Surgery • Complete Lab Work S treet C atS , I nC . 6520 E. 60th St. (60th & S. Sheridan) | Tulsa, OK 74145 www.streetcatstulsa.org | 918.298.0104 (message line) Tuesday—Saturday: 10:30 am—5:00 pm All volunteer non profit adoption center and gift boutique AVA SHADOW When it comes to kitties, 2 are better than 1 because they play with each other when you are busy. Shadow born 12/13 is more outgoing and Ava born 3/15 is more laidback. They came as a bonded pair and Shadow wants to stay with Ava. Both are friendly.