Really scared for Brodie high enzymes please help

[kjc]

Originally Posted by Ellie May

Cornell may take emergencies. If you left now, you might get there in time, otherwise you will end up somewhere local again. This place is supposed to be good, but I don't know how close it is to you: Animal Medical Center - New York City They may not be great with shunts either.

Cornell does see emergencies. I posted the info above.

Originally Posted by Ellie May

It would be nice of your vet to refund what they did today b/c they knew darn well that if he got stones again, they wouldn't be able to see them. So unless they contrasted the xray somehow, I'd be upset.

If she spent $10,000 at this vet on this pup in less than a year with no resolution, only to prolong this baby's pain and suffering, I would be seeking more than that. I think I'd have this case put under investigation. Even a lay person can Google urates and see the connection to LS and that more could have been done to prevent the stones from forming in the first place. For this vet to be fooling around with this all this time is just totally inexcusable.
But that's just me....

[kjc]

That's weird. I would get a referral and fax it to them and speak with Dr Centers, have them tell her to call you back. It would be rediculous to have to put him under twice to get these problems taken care of. They will need to see him to determine exactly what needs to be done, and I would explain your work situation to them also. It's not good for him to be shuffled around place to place. Cornell should keep him till the testing and treatment is done. Maybe 5 days at least. I don't believe the attending put you off like that. Tell them you will pay boarding fees if necessary because you can't do anything for him he needs medical attention and you want it done now. Running him back and forth from Cornell is not an option. He is in pain and crying, and he needs to be seen. Get their fax number and call your vet and tell her to fax them the referral, so you don't have to take him in there and give your vet a chance to talk you into doing more crap. If this doesn't work, let us know. Maybe call the vet that barney107 recommended.

I'm so upset right now I'm about ready to make some phone calls myself!

[kjc]

It's not unusual for most hospitals to want to do their own tests. As they are more specialized, this would make sense, as many regular vets are not as familiar with specific test protocols and procedures.
One can see a shunt with an ultrasound, but they have to be very experienced to do it successfully. Usually, once the BAT is done by the regular vet, most are referred to vets/hospitals that specialize in liver disorders.

[Ellie May]

Originally Posted by kjc

Cornell does see emergencies. I posted the info above.




If she spent $10,000 at this vet on this pup in less than a year with no resolution, only to prolong this baby's pain and suffering, I would be seeking more than that. I think I'd have this case put under investigation. Even a lay person can Google urates and see the connection to LS and that more could have been done to prevent the stones from forming in the first place. For this vet to be fooling around with this all this time is just totally inexcusable.
But that's just me....

Well, I agree, but they'll find a way to try and show that most of the stuff was necessary." Very sad situation. OP: when this is all over you can report them to the state board and they will be investigated.

[kjc]

I am sooo fuming still! That Cornell attending Vet (student) should never have turned her away. Stabilization and futher workup is what this pup needs. Why would someone even call and be willing to drive 5 hours if it wasn't an emergency? I guess that's the ER Tech in me coming out in a rage! Some night folks just don't really like to work! And, no, one cannot diagnose over the phone or a forum, but a crying pup that cannot pee and has a history of stones needs to be seen asap! And why a puppy is producing stones this quickly needs to be investigated, asap. And a pup with a BAT like his needs medication, at the very least, also asap!




And the Mommie doesn't need to be running him all over the place and back trying to get all this done, while trying to hold down a job!

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by kjc

This is who she wants to see:



Sharon A. Center, DVM

Diplomate - American College of
Veterinary Internal Medicine Professor of Medicine
Attachment 322968

sac6@cornell.edu

Education and Training
University of California, DVM (Cum Laude), 1975
Cornell University, Rotating Internship, 1975-76
Cornell University, Residency in Small Animal Medicine, 1976-77, 1980-81 Board Certification American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine

That is who you recommend and I am not doubting her credentials. I was simply giving her options for someone close by since she may need it in an emergency.

[BFar]

I had a liver shunt puppy fixed by Dr. Scavelli at the Garden State Veterinary Hospital in New Jersey. He is a renowned surgeon and people come from all over to bring their babies there. You don't have to go all the way to Cornell. It is not far from NYC. If you would like to talk to me, you can PM me your phone number. I'd be more than glad to talk to you. I read your entire sad story about Brodie and it is heartbreaking. However, I felt from the first post that Brodie had LS and a lot of other posters on here gently told you the same. Now you need to have it ruled out, fixed or learn how he can live with it. I don't mean to be harsh. It is very hard to know what to do when our babies, furry or human are sick and we trust our drs to take care of them but I have found that we need to be really educated when it comes to vets. You have learned a ton from what you've been through with Brodie. I doubt your vet meant any harm but you needed a specialist after the first emergency. You've learned a lot from this, I'm sure... and that's what these forums can be very good for... nobody told you they thought he had liver shunt to be mean. Good luck to you and him. Believe me, I feel your pain.

Barbara

[107barney]

Any info on Brodie today?

Personally, as much as I respect Cornell and have heard wonderful things about Dr. Center, I'd be going to an internist nearby at least preliminarily. The point I'm making here is that if you live in Westbury and you are working and your dog needs care and you can't get time off or you can't trek back and forth to Cornell which can take more than 5 hours by car in bridge traffic, I think at least getting Brodie to an internist to deal with treatment of the stones is urgent before there is a life threatening emergency you are contending with.

Please keep us posted. BTW, the place in Plainview, NY that I gave you a link for is where my brother's cat had chemotherapy. He had a good experience with their hospital but I'll tell you right now they are not cheap just like most other things in NY.

[BFar]

I had a liver shunt puppy fixed by Dr. Scavelli at the Garden State Veterinary Hospital in New Jersey. He is a renowned surgeon and people come from all over to bring their babies there. You don't have to go all the way to Cornell. It is not far from NYC. If you would like to talk to me, you can PM me your phone number. I'd be more than glad to talk to you. I read your entire sad story about Brodie and it is heartbreaking. However, I felt from the first post that Brodie had LS and a lot of other posters on here gently told you the same. Now you need to have it ruled out, fixed or learn how he can live with it. I don't mean to be harsh. It is very hard to know what to do when our babies, furry or human are sick and we trust our drs to take care of them but I have found that we need to be really educated when it comes to vets. You have learned a ton from what you've been through with Brodie. I doubt your vet meant any harm but you needed a specialist after the first emergency. You've learned a lot from this, I'm sure... and that's what these forums can be very good for... nobody told you they thought he had liver shunt to be mean. Good luck to you and him. Believe me, I feel your pain.

Barbara

[Ladymom]

Originally Posted by Brodies Mommy

Unfortunately Cornell will not accept any of the tests that my vet did. So all of the xrays, ultrasounds and blood work that was done will have to be redone (even though they were just taken yesterday and my vet gouged me for another $130 blood panel).

That is why I always try to tell people not to waste time and money with their regular vets when dealing with more complicated diseases and diagnoses. Vet schools and specialists will always repeat tests.

I hope you can get Brodie to Cornell soon.

[Brodies Mommy]

Sorry for the lack of updates. I feel like I have been on the phone all day So that I can be closer and Brodie can get attention as he needs it he is currently going to be referred to BrightHeart which happens to be very close by (and was never previously mentioned by my vet until I called him telling him I wanted a referral to a specialist at cornell). Has anyone heard of this group? Are they good?

Also, I find myself feeling like I'm on a treadmill! Does anyone know what CAN be done for Brodie now that he already has urate stones??? Are their nonsurgical options?? And what are the options for his future? I feel like I'm getting no answers from anyone. Everyone just keeps suggesting the SAME tests be run and telling me nothing. I've lost count at the number of blood panels that have been run! I would really love to know what should be done and how quickly we can make Brodie feel better. I'd also like to know how to keep him feeling better. I'm so worried I'm going to lose the little guy it makes me sick!!

[107barney]

Brodie's mom -
I was mistaken when I gave you the plainview location
The westbury hospital bright heart is where my brother's cat was treated for cancer.
They seem very competent. I'd call and ask if they know and treat LS issues.

As for the urates - do you know what kind they are? If they are struvites, we just used the product Uro-eze with Teddy with good results.

[Ellie May]

I don't know of any nonsurgical options for urates. After they are removed again (if they are there), then a specialist should be talking to you about prevention. If they have doubts about the diet, then a board certified veterinary nutritionist needs to be brought in.

I know it's not the answer that any owner would want, but it's the only one there is.

[Ellie May]

Originally Posted by 107barney

Brodie's mom -
I was mistaken when I gave you the plainview location
The westbury hospital bright heart is where my brother's cat was treated for cancer.
They seem very competent. I'd call and ask if they know and treat LS issues.

As for the urates - do you know what kind they are? If they are struvites, we just used the product Uro-eze with Teddy with good results.

I think they are ammonium urate.

[Brodies Mommy]

Originally Posted by Ellie May

I don't know of any nonsurgical options for urates. After they are removed again (if they are there), then a specialist should be talking to you about prevention. If they have doubts about the diet, then a board certified veterinary nutritionist needs to be brought in.

I know it's not the answer that any owner would want, but it's the only one there is.

Yes, I am making an appointment with the medicine specialist at Cornell once the current stones are taken care of to decide on an appropriate way to manage his condition. I was hoping for a nonsurgical way to manage his current stones... but they haven't told me any! Currently his is still straining but is going to the bathroom in puddles not drips.