A Pet Owner's Perspective of The Nuclear Medicine Service
by Rosemary Dunn
I am writing
this in appreciation of everything that the Doctors and nurses at Double Bay
Veterinary Clinic in Sydney did for our beloved cat Milo.
Milo was diagnosed with an overactive thyroid gland. It was discovered back in March 2010 at a routine visit to Applecross Vet Hospital here in Western Australia. He had lost a lot of weight but because he was a big fluffy cat it was not apparent. He had gone from weighing just over 10kgs to just over 5kgs. He was given a blood test which proved that the vet’s suspicions were correct, he had an overactive thyroid.
He was
given neomercazole tablets to take (one three times per day). We would crush
these up and put them into his food, at first he didn’t seem to notice but once
he did he refused to eat. We tried putting them down his throat but he was
having none of it!
Milo’s
symptoms got worst…..he was hyperactive all the time……….slept very little was
constantly hungry and in his agitated moods would chew his fur into large fur balls.
We had to take him to the vet to get the fur balls clipped out and it was at this time Doctor Steve Metcalfe informed us of a procedure being performed in Sydney by vets at Double Bay.
It involved
sending him to Sydney by air. He was met at Sydney Airport By Dr. Liz one of
the Vets. He was given the Radioactive Iodine Capsule and had to stay in a
Radiation Unit for 6 days. During this time he was constantly monitored, fed,
and given fluids as well as the area he was in was kept clean.
During
the whole time this was happening we received emails every day from the Doctors,
Dave, Liz and Sally who phoned us to fully explain the procedure. We even got a
photo of Milo attached in one of the emails.
Milo came home 2 weeks later and at his first check up with his Doctor here in WA he had gained 700gms in just one week.
We were very anxious about sending Milo to Sydney and the procedure, but due to the care and daily updates from the staff over there we were happy in the knowledge that we had done the right thing.
Milo is 13 years old and now has the chance to live another 10 years, maybe more. If you think of your pet as part of the family and not just an animal you shouldn’t hesitate to give the best treatment available to them.
Thank you once again for the care and dedication that you all gave Milo while he was with you.
Our
gratitude always,
Rosemary
Dunn & Bob Wilson
WA
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