With Regards to Mischa's visit to our clinic on 8/16/2024
Mischa, an 18-year-old domestic shorthair cat, was brought to our clinic by her owner, who was concerned about a possible urinary tract infection. Additionally, Mischa needed her Rabies vaccination updated and a Solensia injection for chronic pain management. Mischa has been a patient at our clinic for the past two years, so we are well-acquainted with her medical history and temperament.
A complete evaluation of Mischa was not possible due to her temperament and severe chronic back pain, which prevented us from lifting her tail to take her temperature. Despite this, Mischa’s owner was adamant about checking for a urinary tract infection, as she was concerned that Mischa's inappropriate eliminations at home might be caused by an infection rather than a worsening of her chronic renal failure.
To accomplish this, we took Mischa to the ultrasound room to perform an ultrasound-guided cystocentesis, the safest method for obtaining a urine sample when one is not provided by the owner. Mischa was gently placed in a padded trough on her back, with a towel over her head to help keep her calm. Although her arthritis prevented us from fully extending her back legs during the procedure, we were still able to successfully obtain the urine sample. Afterward, Mischa was returned to her owner in her carrier.
At this point, Mischa's owner requested a full blood panel to monitor the progression of her renal failure, as the urine sample showed no signs of infection. Mischa was then brought back to have her blood drawn, but she was reluctant to come out of her carrier again. To keep her calm, we gently wrapped a towel around her front half and placed her on her left side, with the towel still securely wrapped around her. Her left hind leg was extended, and blood was drawn from a vein in her back leg. While holding Mischa, the doctor realized that stretching her back leg for the blood draw might cause some discomfort, given that her legs couldn't be fully extended during the urine collection. To provide immediate pain relief, an additional injection of Simbadol was administered along with the Solensia, as the Solensia would take about three days to become effective. Simbadol was chosen because it is an effective pain medication that does not stress the kidneys, which is crucial given Mischa's existing kidney failure.
After completing the blood draw, Mischa was returned to her owner, and we took the time to explain everything that had been done. Mischa’s owner had no questions at that time, expressed her thanks, paid the bill, and then left our facility without incident.
Important things to Note:
At Carrollton Animal Hospital, we are committed to using low-stress handling techniques and take animal restraint very seriously. Many of our staff members are certified in Fear-Free practices, with one of our technicians holding a Certified Fear-Free Elite designation. Ensuring the health and safety of the animals in our care is our highest priority. If a restraint technique proves ineffective or too stressful for the animal, we routinely inform our clients that we cannot proceed with the procedure without sedation, as our goal is to create the most comfortable experience possible for every pet.