drownedwednesday:

thehappyvet:

Case #1 History: just a little off, maybe a bit weak? Not sure, eating fine, no vomiting, no diarrhoea. Slight exercise intolerance
Diagnosis: Severe haemorrhagic pericardial effusion

Case #2 History: panting a bit at home, didn’t greet owners when they got home, still eating, bright and wagging tail
Diagnosis: Severe pulmonary metastasis suspected from splenic haemangiosarcoma

Case #3 History: unusually active at home, no vomiting, no diarrhoea, unusual behaviour, no known access to toxins
Diagnosis: Acute anaphylactic shock

Case #4 History: a bit lethargic at home, still eating, drinking a bit more, pants occasionally
Diagnosis: Severe septic shock from closed pyometra

Case #5 History: happy, eating, one small vomit a few days ago, known scavenger but owners never leave anything lying around anymore, a bit off yesterday but brighter today
Diagnosis: Intestinal obstruction from tea towel

Case #6 History: never had any issues, today a bit sleepy, getting old so maybe normal? Has been sleeping a bit more lately but owner thinks due to arthritis, eating fine, happy otherwise
Diagnosis: Severe anaemia due to haemabdomen

Case #7 History: eating, drinking, urinating, defecating fine, sleeps normal amount for a cat, breathing seems fine, maybe a bit faster than usual? Still happy and smoochy
Diagnosis: Severe pyothorax

Case #8 History: small amount of diarrhoea a few days ago, one vomit, still bright and happy, sometimes a bit lethargic but otherwise normal, gave human NSAID for pain a week ago but never any adverse signs
Diagnosis: Intestinal perforation due to chronic NSAID administration

Case #9 History: a bit hyperactive at home, maybe wants to play? Eating fine, one vomit, seems a bit anxious sometimes but otherwise fine
Diagnosis: Amphetamine toxicity

Case #10 History: trembly at home, no vomiting or diarrhoea, normally an anxious dog but trembling a bit more than usual, no access to toxins indoors or outside, ate breakfast fine, no lethargy
Diagnosis: Snail pellet toxicity

Cases like this are why vetblrs and clinics you may ask for advice are never going to say ‘it’s probably nothing, don’t worry about it.’ All of these cases are cases I have worked with at my emergency clinic, and they all initially sound like nothing spectacular. But on on investigation it was clear there was definitely something spectacularly wrong. 

Not all dogs read the vet books where they are supposed to look like they’re dying when they’re dying (and especially not cats). Don’t get annoyed at your vet or vetblr for saying to get a consultation because you cannot know exactly what is going on with the animal without actually looking at the animal! 

So if you are getting the feeling that something is wrong with an animal, please do not ask a vetblr for advice and please do not ask a vet clinic to diagnose something over the phone. Get a consultation with a vet so they can work the case up properly!

This is pure gold, and exactly why I always believe an owner when they tell me something is ‘off.’ Physical exam may look normal but if someone tells me their pet isn’t acting right, it’s time to go on a hunt. Owners know their pets better than we do and changes can be so subtle!