'High-tech' comes to 'vet med.' - veterinary medicine, includes related articles

FDA Consumer, April, 1989 by Judy Folkenberg

Plastic surgery, now more popular than ever among humans, has also invaded the animal world. Surgery for oral cancer, a common disorder among dogs and cats, may leave the animal unable to breathe properly, eat, or swallow because of the hole left behind after removing the tumor. Plastic surgery can repair the hole, often saving the pet's life.

"We are often able to extend the life of an animal a few years," says Michael Pavletic, a veterinary plastic surgeon with special skill in skin grafting. Pavletic rebuilds an animal's face with skin grafts from the lips, cheeks or other areas. And pets have a distinct advantage over humans: Their fur hides the scars.

Horses, because of their large size, merit their own special kind of care. At Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine's neonatal intensive care unit, premature foals (and a growing number of premature llamas--the newest "in" pet) are infused with plasma, antibodies and glucose to ensure their survival. Heated waterbeds to prevent bedsores, a king-sized incubator, padded stalls, and oxygen equipment complete the unit. Round-the-clock nursing is provided, and, just as with human "preemies," foal "preemies" (who can weigh as much as 100 pounds) are held and cuddled by the nursing staff.

Owners bring in not only thoroughbred foals, but also preemies whose bloodlines are not so pure. "It doesn't take long for a foal to win your heart," says veterinarian Mary Paradis, director of the neonatal unit. She adds that owners say they would mortgage their home if necessary to pay for the care of a premature foal.

Paradis says they've been able to save 50 percent of the foals since the unit opened in 1984. Before, most would have died.

The 24-stall equine hospital (with an additional five intensive care stalls) at the Virginia/Maryland Regional Veterinary College's duPont Scott Equine Medical Center in Leesburg, Va., rivals any human hospital. Each of the two 12-stall wings has a nursing station and each stall is equipped for providing intravenous treatment for the recovering horse.

The center also has cardiology, radiology, surgery, autopsy, and recovery rooms, as well as its own pharmacy and blood laboratory. It is equipped and staffed to provide the latest in surgical techniques--laser and arthroscopic surgery--and in diagnostic procedures, including ultrasound and video endoscopy.

The use of the video endoscope has alerted veterinarians to a high incidence of equine ulcers. A video endoscope is a long tube with a miniaturized video camera at one end. It is passed through the horse's nose and down the throat to the stomach where it transmits pictures for viewing on a color monitor.

A recent survey conducted in Virginia, Maryland, England and Ireland by Michael Murray of the Equine Center revealed that 50 percent of the foals checked had stomach ulcers. Even higher rates were discovered in adult racehorses: 80 percent had ulcers, compared with an incidence of 35 percent in show, riding school, and pleasure horses.