Interesting Cases

Pre-anesthetic Blood Profile Benefits

Cheyenne is a fun loving Airedale who has been on Rimadyl (pain killer) for hip dysplasia and recently developed some skin cysts and a mammary tumor. Any pet on long-term medication or patients under going an anesthetic procedure should have a blood profile. This profile screens for abnormalities of the liver, kidneys, and blood cells.

From this blood profile, she was diagnosed with anemia, which is a low red blood cell count as well as abnormal red blood cells called spherocytes.

Cheyennes CBC Comprehensive

Her liver enzyme levels were normal thus Rimadyl for her arthritis was still safe to continue.

X-rays, repeated complete blood cell count and re-examination diagnosed this large abdominal tumor.

Ultrasound imaging identified this mass was isolated to the spleen. Scanning of her kidneys, lymph nodes, and liver showed no evidence of spread.

An untreated or diagnosed enlarged spleen may rupture and bleed. Surgery was performed to remove her abnormal spleen.

Cheyenne has made a full recovery. Fortunately, the splenic enlargement was not cancerous; therefore, surgery should offer her a good long-term prognosis. This case illustrates the importance of routine blood profiling in our adult/Senior pets or those who will under go anesthesia/surgery.

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