Internal Medicine at BluePearl.mp4
BP_Social_Pride_Video1FINAL_FB_IG.mp4
Pride is about visibility and acceptance, dignity and love. As we celebrate Pride at BluePearl, we’ve asked our Associates to tell us what Pride means to them. #pride #beingbluepearl #bluepearlpride
Chief Shadow
This is Shadow, an onco patient being treated for lymphoma,and was the onco doc-box Chief Feline Officer for today. He had LOTS of opinions and was not shy telling us exactly what he thought about things!💛
Happy 3 year cancerversary, Regina! The Queen Genes was diagnosed with hypercalcemic T-cell lymphoma in February 2016, and is one of THE happiest pibble ladies on the planet! Your onco team loves you!!
Charlie
Charlie was treated by our emergency and neurology services for bacterial meningitis. Bacterial meningitis is a rare, life threatening cause of brain disease in dogs. Unlike humans, bacterial meningitis is not contagious. It can come from any infection in the body that spreads through the blood stream or via direct penetration into the brain. His mom, Lilly sent us this wonderdul video update. He is doing amazingly well!
Ryley
Ryley is a medical oncology and radiation patient who is having THE BEST SUMMER OF HER LIFE and celebrating her 1 year cancerversary at the beach! #hopeforpetcancer
Six months ago, Joe had a ruptured disc in his back and was paralyzed. He had a hemilaminectomy (surgical procedure used to correct slipped or herniated discs in the spine) with neurologist, Dr. Mikoloski, and is back to living his life to the fullest. The video at the :14 second mark is Joe today! 😃
Surgery patient, Rosa, after having two TPLO's
Another great video update from surgery patient, Rosa. Rosa had both TPLO's done by Dr. Anderson. Prior to surgery, Rosa would cry when using the stairs, and hesitate to get up and down onto things. Her family thought she had torn a ligament, but when they brought her to PVSEC they learned she had torn both. They decided to do both TPLO's at once to cut down on recovery time.
Rosa's family says, "Rosa has recovered well and we are so happy. She was up and walking assisted the night of surgery. We did all of her restrictions, as instructed by surgery, and she was back playing with her siblings in no time. We are beyond happy with how she has done. We can't thank the surgery department enough."
Rooney, the adorable Samoyed!
Meet Rooney, the 6-year-old miracle dog and totally adorable Samoyed!
Rooney's family writes, "We first visited PVSEC after 2 failed knee surgeries performed at a different veterinary hospital. Rooney had developed staph infections at both surgical sites. He also had a fractured tibia after the first knee surgery. Rooney had become nearly paralyzed with a severe nerve problem in both back legs as a side effect of his antibiotic therapy and had severe muscle atrophy. He wore a lift harness so we could help him stand, walk, eat, and go to the bathroom. After three days of diagnostics, Dr. Payne and Dr. MacKillop were very direct with us about Rooney’s future. If he was to improve, it would take months, even years, and the outcome was unknown. We had a very difficult decision to make. After 8 months, two surgeries, and rehabilitation, Rooney is walking, running, and playing again! We made the right decision!
We sincerely thank the front desk staff, the medical assistants, nurses, and techs who spent the long nights with Rooney. Their jobs do not always allow good news and outcomes, but they always took our calls and answered all of our questions and concerns any hour of the day and night with kindness and professionalism. We are grateful to have been connected to Dr. Payne and Dr. MacKillop. They are geniuses at what they do and blessed with a bedside manner that made us feel like family! Many thanks and blessings to PVSEC!"
-- The Prettyman Family + Rooney
Bubbles' Mom sent us the wonderful update and we wanted to share it with you.
"A year ago today would have been a tragedy for us if it wasn't for you guys at PVSEC (Dr. MacKillop, Jessika, PT and neurology) emergency staff was so kind to us and provided us with hope when my paralyzed pup was sitting in your ER. It was such a traumatic time for Bubbles and me as well. I was 6 months pregnant and would have definitely lost my baby if I had lost Bubbles. I honestly don't think she would've survived if it wasn't for the constant love and hopeful attitudes your staff had. You guys sat with her on your lunch breaks. Doc came in on his day off and everyone answered my hundred sobbing calls a day. I honestly can not thank you enough for saving my pup. Here's a video of her....this summer playing at doggie daycare. Here are also some pics of her with her sister Sammie at birth and during the pens playoff. Thank you a million times. You mean the world to us."
-Sarah and Ray Younger
Bubbles and Samantha"
Neurologic problems can be a little dizzying. Cody was brought to PVSEC for symptoms of severe vertigo. He was evaluated by Dr. Edward MacKillop and the top concern was encephalitis (inflammation of the brain). The diagnosis was confirmed on MRI and based on Cody's age/breed the top concern was GME. GME is an autoimmune disease where the body attacks the brain causing severe neurologic symptoms and clinically is similar to multiple sclerosis (MS) in people. The prognosis is variable but in severe cases it is often life threatening. Cody was immediately started on IV steroids and immune suppressants and after 3 nerve racking days in the ICU he started to respond. The video shows Cody when he first came in and at a recent recheck appointment. Cody is not completely "out of the woods" but he is doing very well and his family are ecstatic with how he is doing.
Bubbles is a little bit of a nervous dog. She spooks easily and unfortunately she got scared and ran head first into a wall. She was instantly paralyzed from the neck down and was brought right to the PVSEC emergency department. MRI of her neck found that she had Wobbler Syndrome (premature arthritis of the neck causing spinal cord compression) which had predisposed her to a severe spinal cord injury. She was hospitalized for almost a week for physical therapy and made gradual progress. She eventually came back for surgery to help improve her further and prevent future deterioration. Tune in tomorrow for an update on how she is doing.
Mikey & Bob 96.1 Kiss Stuff A Bus 96.1 KISS - Pittsburgh
A special message from The Kiss Morning Freak Show
THE TUMULTUOUS TALE OF PINTO PETE:
Pinto Pete is a mild-mannered cat with a big personality. He has seen a lot of veterinarians over the last 2 months and spent a lot of time at PVSEC. He was first seen by University Veterinary Specialists for what appeared to be a urinary obstruction. They unblocked him but Pete still wasn't himself. He had some unusual discharge from his mouth and the focus turned to a possible infection in his mouth. He was started on antibiotics but still didn't get better. Finally, his symptoms became clearly neurologic and he was sent over to PVSEC neurology. An MRI of his brain was performed and found a massive brain tumor. Pete came in at 1 pm on a Wednesday and had his tumor taken out the next morning at 9 am. He spent a tough week at PVSEC under the supervision of Drs. MacKillop and Mikoloski (Neurology) and Dr. Guenther (Critical Care) and the care of the neurology, surgery and ICU techs. Pete might have even seen the bright shining light right after surgery but his brain decided to straighten up and fly right. He got a goofy hair-cut (Dr. MacKillop likes all his patients to look like him) but his tumor is out but he's home now and doing well. We'll send post another update as soon as we see Pete back next week.
Pinto Pete
Here's Pete at home about 2 weeks after surgery
This is Neurology patient, King. He is only 5 months old and is being treated for Coonhound Paralysis or Polyradiculoneuritis. This is inflammation of the nerve roots. The primary treatment is physical therapy. Our Physical Therapy/Rehabilitation department is working with King to help him walk again. The prognosis is good in mild cases.
Dermatology patient, MJ, is doing great on oral allergy vaccine and an anti-itch medication. She is always so happy to see the doctor and technicians. The treats might have something to do with it.
Here's Proof that cardiology patient Cassius is feeling better. We love this handsome, goofy boy!"
Basil had a rough year. He was suddenly paralyzed in his hind limbs and this got him to PVSEC. MRI of the spine was consistent with a fibrocartilagenous spinal embolism (spinal stroke). There is no treatment for this disease other than aggressive physical therapy. His owners were up for the work and gradually over a few months got Basil back to almost normal. PVSEC got a speedy diagnosis but Basil's family did all the hard work. Thanks Basil for making us proud!
