Fudge the Springer came in to see our vet Emily when her owners noticed she was suddenly quiet, not really eating well and breathing much quicker than normal.
Emily and vet nurse Leanne started some clinical investigations in our Bicester hospital which revealed that she had a large volume of fluid between her lungs and her chest wall which meant Fudge could not expand her lungs properly to breathe.
They worked quickly to try to drain the fluid and relieve the pressure, but the fluid was so thick that it couldn’t be suctioned out with one of our normal catheters so, along with our vet Cliff, they decided to place a chest drain which enabled them to drain a whole litre of thick pus from the inside of her chest!
This condition is known as a pyothorax and requires very intensive management as it is so serious.
For the next five days Emily and the vet nursing team worked tirelessly to ensure Fudge recovered well. Our nurses offer 24 hour care.
They drained and flushed her chest via the inserted chest drain every day and started her on pain relief and two different antibiotics. These continued for 6 weeks to completely clear the infection.
Read more about the first x-ray
However, in this X-ray the heart is in the middle of the chest and the lung is being pushed upwards and squashed by all the fluid.
Read about Fudge's second x-ray
Fudge went from strength to strength and was discharged at the end of the five days in hospital.
Emily repeated Fudge’s chest x-rays two weeks later to reveal that her chest looked completely clear and we are pleased to say Fudge is doing really well thanks to her dedicated owners, the nursing and veterinary team here and, of course, Fudge herself. Well done Fudge we are so glad to see you doing so well!
We’ve attached some photos of Fudge back at home and also a picture of Fudge with her chest drain and medical pet shirt whilst here in the hospital.
Bicester Vets have been amazing with my dog over the past week and a half. She had glaucoma in her eye and they did everything they could to help her and me through this difficult condition.
I could tell they they really care about my dog and they called me with updates all the time to help ease my worrying.
When we did have to go ahead with surgery, they were very professional and thoughtful throughout the whole process.
I would recommend them to anyone.
Building Plans for 2024
We have also commenced a major construction project externally which will add significantly to the facilities we can offer to our patients
Welcome to our NEW Reception & Waiting Room
Our aim was to make a beautiful space which we can all be proud of, but essentially, we needed to retain practicality and ergonomic design
Hip Hip Hooray for Ava
Ava is now seven months on from her surgery. She is very lively and is behaving like a puppy again!
