At the Pet Emergency & Specialty Center we strongly believe in an integrated approach to medicine. Our Internal Medicine and Emergency and Critical Care departments work closely with our referring veterinarians to provide optimal care for our patients and clients. Nobody, though, is a bigger fan of this team approach than Charger Oliver and his owners. The six year-old neutered male Maltese poodle was brought into the Pet Emergency & Specialty Center laterally recumbent, depressed and dehydrated.

A physical exam revealed an extremely tense and painful abdomen, bradycardia, bloody discharge and a firm nonexpressible bladder. One of our emergency clinicians, Dr. Elena Vassilev, met with the Olivers to discuss Charger’s critical condition along with diagnostic and treatment options. The Olivers wanted us to do everything possible for little Charger.

Abdominal radiographs, CBC, blood gas, ECG, chemistry panel and electrolytes were ordered while a jugular catheter was placed and analgesics given. His diagnostics revealed extreme azotemia, hyperphosphatemia, hypercalcemia hyperkalemia, and acidemia. A coagulation panel was slightly prolonged. A urinary catheter was passed and obstructions within the urethra were palpated. Charger was stabilized overnight and his family veterinarian was contacted and updated the following morning; we were requested to continue Charger’s care. An emergency internal medicine consult and abdominal ultrasound was performed.

Ultrasonagraphy by one of our internists, Dr. Alex Chisholm, revealed a fluid filled prostatic mass occluding the urethra. Aspiration and cytology indicated a bacterial prostatic abscess. At this time surgical debulking was performed. An indwelling percutaneous cystotomy tube was placed to allow the urethra time to heal. Over the next two weeks, our doctors and staff treated Charger around the clock. He was nursed through sepsis, DIC, pancreatitis and a second surgery that had to be performed to repair and anastomose a necrotic section of his prostatic urethra. Throughout his stay Charger received total parenteral nutrition, analgesics, IV fluids, antibiotics, multiple units of fresh frozen plasma, and intensive nursing care.

The Olivers visited every day and were sure that Charger would soon see his favorite football team play again. On December 15th Charger was discharged from our hospital and has made a full recovery. He still doesn’t understand why everyone breaks into applause every time he lifts his leg.