Whisker Rescue

November 21, 2025 7 AM - 5 PM.

Starting my morning bright and early in the ER with my LVT, Kristina. The overnight LVT rounded us on the patients we had for the day.

1️⃣ Kane – TPLO surgery (1 day post-op)

Kane is a big boy who had a TPLO (tibial plateau leveling osteotomy) surgery to fix his torn cranial cruciate ligament. Today is day one post-op and he’s recovering well! He’s going home later, but while he’s here, he’s getting methadone for pain and cephazolin to prevent infection. He’s being a champ with his gentle leash walks and naps in between treatments.

2️⃣ Daisy – Third-time incision repair 😬

Daisy is a repeat offender…literally! This is her third time coming in for incision repair because she keeps managing to get out of her cone of shame and chew her sutures. Today, we’re watching her like a hawk. Her mom came prepared with reinforcements: onesies and a supportive neck pillow to make sure she can’t reach her incision. We also reviewed strict post-op care to prevent another trip back to the ER.

3️⃣ Sully – IV drama

While we were rounding, Sully decided to take matters into his own paws and pulled out his T-port from his IV catheter. 😅 Quick work replacing the catheter, and now he’s sporting a cone of shame to prevent further mishaps. He wasn’t thrilled, but he’s stable and resting well now.

4️⃣ Sunny – 9-month-old dachshund with diarrhea

Sunny’s owners were very concerned when he presented with diarrhea. We placed him on IV fluids for hydration and monitored his vitals closely. He’s staying with us for the day to make sure he stabilizes and doesn’t get dehydrated. He is also the biggest lovebug, and wanted to be in someone's arms while they worked.

5️⃣ Max – 7-year-old lab with a seizure

Max came in after having a cluster of seizures at home. We started him on IV diazepam for immediate control and monitored his neurological status closely. Bloodwork was drawn to check for metabolic causes. Max is sedated and resting comfortably now. His owners are relieved to see him stable but very anxious about the cause.

6️⃣ Lulu – 2-year-old Frenchie hit by a car

Lulu arrived alert but limping after a minor car accident. She has a soft tissue injury and possible hip subluxation. We ran X-rays to rule out fractures, provided pain relief with opioids, and applied supportive bandaging to her limb. She’s a bit nervous in the ER, but she’s eating small treats and tolerating gentle handling.

7️⃣ Oliver – 10-year-old Siamese with acute vomiting

Oliver’s owners noticed sudden vomiting and lethargy overnight. He’s been started on IV fluids and anti-nausea medications while we monitor for signs of dehydration or infection. His appetite is slowly returning, and he’s curling up in a warm blanket to relax.

8️⃣ Bella – 5-year-old Beagle with laceration from a backyard adventure

Bella had a deep cut on her paw from fencing. We cleaned the wound, started her on antibiotics, and bandaged it securely. She’s surprisingly calm for a Beagle, though she’s eyeing the staff like she’s plotting her next escape.

9️⃣ Rocky – 3-year-old boxer with urinary obstruction

Rocky presented straining to urinate with discomfort. After an exam, he was diagnosed with a urethral blockage, which required catheterization and monitoring. IV fluids and pain management are ongoing, and we’re educating his owners on preventing future blockages.

Today was another fast-paced ER day, and it reminded me how unpredictable and rewarding emergency medicine can be. From Kane’s post-op recovery to Daisy and Sully’s cone-related shenanigans, I saw how pain management, monitoring, and creativity are essential for patient care.

Sunny, Max, Lulu, Oliver, Bella, Rocky, and Millie highlighted the variety of cases an ER team handles daily—from GI issues to trauma and seizures. Watching nervous or painful pets relax with careful care reinforced the importance of teamwork, compassion, and patience.

ER days are exhausting but incredibly educational. I’m inspired by how LVTs like Kristina balance technical skill, quick thinking, and empathy to keep patients safe and comfortable. Can’t wait to learn more in this fast-paced environment! 🐶🐱💉