Tackling The Veterinary Terminology: Prefixes (gastr-)

Remember the Spelling Bee? Big words are easier to tackle when you understand how they're put together. Veterinary terms are composed in the same way. Just like with other words, the main parts of a veterinary term are a prefix, a root, and a suffix. The difference is that they typically come more directly from Greek or Latin.

A prefix is placed at the beginning of a word to modify its meaning by providing additional information. It usually indicates number, location, time, or status.

gastr-/gastro [ˈɡæstrə-] - from Greek - stomach

We all know what stomach is. When a medical term starts with gastr-/gastro- it refers to the stomach.

The most common related medical term is gastroenteritis.

As the suffix suggests, it is an inflammation of the stomach and small intestine. It is so common because it can have many causes, including dietary indiscretion, such as a successful raid in the garbage. Unfortunately, it can have more serious causes, such as infection, allergies or autoimmune disease too.

Gastritis, then, is inflammation of the stomach only.

The scariest words starting with this prefix you will ever hear are gastric dilation and volvulus (GDV).

Very scary, very dangerous. Deemed a number two dog killer, second only to cancer. It is really too part problem. The dilation itself means that an accumulation of fluid and gas causes the stomach to expand way beyond its normal size. As if that wasn't bad enough, the volvulus bit means that the stomach has flipped around on itself, effectively trapping everything in with no way out.



It is vital that you learn to recognize the signs of this dire emergency.



Gastropexy is a surgical attachment of the stomach to the abdominal wall, done to prevent GDV in highly susceptible breeds.

Gastroesophageal reflux, a fancy term for acid reflux, is a condition in which stomach or intestinal fluids back flow into the esophagus. Gastroscopy is the examination of the stomach with an endoscope.

***

Related articles:
Veterinary Suffixes (-itis)
Veterinary Suffixes (-oma) 
Veterinary Suffixes (-pathy)  
Veterinary Suffixes (-osis) 
Veterinary Suffixes (-iasis) 
Veterinary Suffixes (-tomy) 
Veterinary Suffixes (-ectomy)  
Veterinary Suffixes (-scopy) 
Veterinary Suffixes (-emia)
Veterinary Suffixes (-penia)
Veterinary Suffixes (-rrhea) 
Veterinary Suffixes (-cyte) 
Veterinary Suffixes (-blast) 
Veterinary Suffixes (-opsy)
Veterinary Suffixes (-ac/-al)

Veterinary Prefixes (hyper-) 
Veterinary Prefixes (hypo-)
Veterinary Prefixes (pyo-) 
Veterinary Prefixes (myo-) 
Veterinary Prefixes (myelo-)
Veterinary Prefixes (spondylo-)
Veterinary Prefixes (cardio-) 
Veterinary Prefixes (cervic-) 
Veterinary Prefixes (osteo-) 
Veterinary Prefixes (fibro-) 
Veterinary Prefixes (broncho-) 
Veterinary Prefixes (hemo-) 
Veterinary Prefixes (brady-) 
Veterinary Prefixes (tachy-)
Veterinary Prefixes (hepat-)

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Lexy's Squamous Cell Carcinoma

by Amy Kennedy

Lexy is an 8 years old Golden Retriever, we have had her since she was 8 weeks old and treated her
as part of our family. We actually consider her to be our "other" daughter.

About a year ago Lexy broke one of her back teeth and we took her to our vets to have it looked at.

Not many treatment options for that, basically it had to be removed. We agreed to that and Lexy went in and had her tooth extracted, coming out with no problems. Once her tooth was out the vet sent it away to have it biopsied.

The results came back stating there were some "abnormal cells." 

Our vet, whom we had trusted for over 7 years with Lexy and our cats, stated that was nothing to worry about .

Lexy's mouth was not healing well. 

Being a nurse, I can point out infections or trouble healing really well so I took her back. The vet took a quick look at it and said there was nothing wrong with it. Trusting her we went home and I kept an eye on it.

A month later I could smell this awful odor coming from her mouth telling me there was still something wrong. 

Back we went to the vets. Once there the vet took another quick look at it and said, nothing to worry about and handed me a syringe and told me it had to be cleaned out once a day.

Another month went by and Lexy was still showing complications with her tooth.

I told my husband I was taking her somewhere else. I wanted a second opinion.

I made an appointment with another vet who I had seen another time with one of my birds . Got Lexy in ASAP.

X-rays revealed that the infection had gone into her eye socket!!!

The new vet we were seeing told us the best thing to do was ship her to a specialist. They have more experience with issues like this.

We went the next day.

Lexy was set up to see a vet who specializes in dentistry.

We had to leave her there for the day, and we waited for a call.

Lexy had to have an emergency surgery.

Once the surgery was done the biopsy from it got sent to New York City for testing.

Weeks later on a Monday night the phone rang.......

I answered it, the gentleman on the phone said they got Lexy's test results back and she had squamous cell carcinoma in her jaw!

There we were shocked again with what our poor girl had ended up with.

I asked how long has she got. He said straight out he was sorry but without treatment about 1 month!!

My husband and I started to cry.

I then made another appointment, this time with an oncologist, to discuss what our options were. Speaking to the oncologist was scary but he was very precise and said, we had 2 options, palliative treatment or a surgery to try and remove it.

We went home that night full of turmoil. I went to see our normal vet to see what her opinion was and what we should do.

I did not want my baby to die!

We decided to go all out no matter what the cost was and try and save Lexy.

The next week Lexy went in for surgery. We were told we could pick her up that evening. We found things to do in the city all day and once the time came we went to get our baby.

The girls at the desk warned us of what she would look like, but someone telling you is not the same as the real thing.

The door opened and out came Lexy ...

Tears started to roll out my eyes, she looked so horrible. Her face was all swollen and purple but she was so happy to see us!
 
We took Lexy home and started our long journey of recovery.

Three weeks in we got a call for the surgeon  telling us the tests were back and that they had gotten all of her cancer! We were so happy!

Lexy had to go back at 3 months for her check up and passed with flying colors.

This journey was a very long and hard thing to go through but if we had to do it again we would.

I then tried to get a hold of our old vet to let her know what had happened, but since then she retired and I could not get a hold of her. I sat down one night and wrote her a letter sharing how much we trusted her with our family member and how Lexy almost died. I got her address and sent it. Have heard nothing 5 months later

I want to let everybody know that clean looking teeth does not always means they are healthy.

Keep and eye on your dog's breath also.

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Adoption Monday: Martha, Rottweiler Mix: Amherst, NY

Martha was found wandering the streets, and brought into the pound. 

Her left rear leg was broken in half. 

It is not clear if she had been hit by a car, or had some other kind of accident. She was scheduled to be euthanized, but was a lucky dog!

She is now under foster care, and has recovered completely. Martha was born around 2007.

She's very friendly, and loves people! 

She is a bit needy, and wants to be close to people. Martha has been spayed, she's up to date with vaccinations, and she's on Heartworm preventative.

***

Based in Amherst, NY, Broken Down Dogs, Inc. is a non-profit organization that was formed to help homeless animals find permanent, loving homes.   

Broken Down Dogs, Inc are always in need of foster homes in the Buffalo area to temporarily house  rescued animals until a match with a new owner can be made. Contact them if you are interested in fostering a homeless animal!

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Memories Of Jasmine: The Treasure Keeper

From early puppyhood, her entire life Jasmine had a soft spot for abandoned things or things she figured should be safely put away, rather than left out in the open

She felt very strongly about taking care of them.

In her mind, that meant they needed to be buried.



I remember vividly her first winter. We had a lot of snow. And she had treasures buried all over the hill where we went for our walks.

Gloves, hats, scarfs, socks (I actually never figured out how one can loose a sock in the winter). Once she even found and attempted to bury a whole parka, but sadly, that attempt was unsuccessful.

Not only she had things buried all over the place, she always remembered where every one of them was.

Don't worry, little toy, I'll take care of you

She would check on them periodically. Sometimes she would deem the hiding place no longer any good, which meant digging out the item and relocating it.

She never forgot a single one of them.

It could be months since we went to a particular trail the last time, she'd know where all her treasures were exactly, didn't even have to search for them.

That first winter, one of her treasures was a long scarf.

Routinely, she would dig it up, we'd play with it, and than she would put it away again. We did that day after day.


Not only Jasmine was a guardian of abandoned things, she was also extremely meticulous about it.

First, there was the selection of a proper spot. She could wonder around for half an hour or longer, before she'd find the right place. She might have even started burying it and realized the spot didn't meet the criteria after all, and the search continued.

This will be a good spot for you.

Once the right spot was identified, it was imperative that the item was buried just right. 

She put so much work into that! You wouldn't believe how good she was!

One time, she was burying a glove in a field, right in front of me. I stood there, watching her to bury it right in front of my feet. When she was done, I swear that if I didn't know she did it right in front of my feet, I could never tell! It was sheer perfection.

All done. I'll come check on you tomorrow.

Jasmine wouldn't have settled for anything less.

When she was finished, she would bite off a top part of one of the longer grasses or twigs. Then we were all done and could continue with the walk.

***
Related articles:
Memories Of Jasmine: Best Buddies 
Memories Of Jasmine: The Lost Forest 
Treatments Jasmine Benefited From The Most 
Memories Of Jasmine: Remix 4 
Memories Of Jasmine: Remix 3
Making The Last Decision
Memories Of Jasmine: Remix 2
Memories Of Jasmine: Remix 1
Jasmine's Last Happy Days Before The Final Crisis
The Last Act Of Love: Run Free, Jasmine
Pain, Reaction To Narcotics Or Something Else? Please Pray For Jasmine
It Just Keeps Piling Up 
I Always Thought That A UTI Would Scream It's Presence
Taking A Break From Orthopedic Issues To Deal With Inappetence, Diarrhea And Listlessness That Come And Go 
Positive Update, Though Little Clarity
Jasmine's Neck Setback Update  
Jasmine's Neck Setback  
Elbow Problem Or Root Signature? 
Back To Where We Were Last May?
Jasmine's Disc Injury: Spanking New Ramp  
Jasmine's Disc Injury: The Parole Hearing
Jasmine's Disc Injury: Mom, Why Can't I Go For A Walk?
Jasmine's Disc Injury(?) Day Three 
Jasmine's Disc Injury(?) Day Two 
A Time Bomb Ought To Go Off At Some Point, I Guess: Jasmine's Neck
OK, I Am A Sucker: We're Going Through With The SLIT 
Jasmine's Episodes: Back To The Allergies Dilemma 
This Is What Jasmine's Episode Looks Like
Gotta Try Everything Once (Or Twice): On The Quest To Figure Out Jasmine's Episodes 
Thundershirt vs. Jasmine's Episodes
Jasmine's Mysterious Swelling And Another Experience With VetLiveThe Diagnosis Is In: Jasmine Has An Interdigital Cyst
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Is Crawling Under Things Some Kind Of Secret Physical Therapy?  
Is There No Place Safe? Jasmine's Acupuncture Session
Senior Sensory Systems Function: Zero Defects  
It Looks Like A Keeper: Jasmine's New Integrative Vet 
Jasmine's Acute Lameness
Jasmine Doesn't Like "Doing Time"
Our Of Jail Free Pass
When It's Looks Too Good To Be True … The Lameness Returns
The Day Of The Treatment
First Time For Everything: A Healing Crisis(?)  
From Zero To Sixty In Four Days: Stem Cells At Work
The Calm After The Storm 
If It Was Easy, It Wouldn't Be Jasmine
Practicing What I Preach: Jasmine's Semi Annual Wellness Exam  
No Skimping On Oral Care 
I'm Still Standing! (Happy Birthday, Jasmine)
How Dogs Think (Well, Jasmine Anyway)
Jasmine is Vet-Stem's poster child!
Rant About Quality Of Life Versus Quantity, And Differential Diagnoses
Jasmine Is Headed For Her Next Stem Cell Treatment
Jasmine's Stem Cells Are In
Arthritis? What Arthritis? 
Guess Who Is An Ever-Ready Bunny And Really Liking The Bit Of Snow We Got? 
Don't Knock It Until You Tried It: Animal Chiropractic 
Jasmine's Fur Analysis
Back At Chiropractic Care 
Our Own Emergency Vet Horror (Part I)
Our Own Emergency Vet Horror (Part II) 
How The Oddysey Started: Jasmine's ACL Injury
Meet Jasmine

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Human-Dog Problem Tree - PART NINE

by Dino Dogan

In this section, I will talk about a transitional nature of today's society.

Let me start by admitting that saying something like "today's society is in a transitional phase" is really easy. We are always in a transitional state and the only thing that's constant is change. Here is how I mean it.

As a species, we've spent 90 thousand years

• Hunting
• Gathering
• Scavenging
• Migrating
• Living in small tribes (up to 150 people)
• Focusing really hard on our needs at Level 1 and 2 of Maslow's Hierarchy

Then for the next 10 thousand years we've spend our time

• Settling in larger farming and living communities
• Planting
• Growing
• Building

Note that the second phase (the Aggrecoltural phase of human progression) lasted considerably less time.

Then about 200 years ago we embarked on a new chapter in our journey and the Industrial Revolution began; characterized by the following

• Massive migrations to more populated areas
• Change in our work habits (work became more sedentary and results were invisible to the worker)
• We started developing entitlement for basic needs and safety

Again, notice that the Industrial age lasted only about 200 years, much shorter than the Agricultural age and shorter still than hunting/gathering phase.

Image Kids Halloween Costumes

In the last 50 years or so, we've experienced Information age. 

Some say that the Information age is over and that we are in the Communications age. In either case, this phase looks all too familiar.

• Our sense of entitlement to basic needs and safety is now a full blown addiction sometime to our own detriment
• Our work habits are now even more sedentary; our lives are arranged to expand as little energy as possible (cars, escalators, chairs with wheels on'em, etc)
• Corporation dictate government as well as personal policies. This point deserves its own post, but we'll save it for later.

So first we must presuppose that our biology (both mental and physical) is best tuned for the kind of environment we as species spent most time in. There is an overwhelming scientific data that supports this assertion.

If that's the case, then our biology is best tuned for hunter/gatherer type of living. Let me ask you a question.

If you did live as a hunter/gatherer, what kind of relationship would you have with your dog?

If you answered "a symbiotic one" you would be 100% correct.

If we lived the way of the Paleolithic man, all issues—or what we perceive as issues—we have with our dogs would disappear and this I can guarantee.

So first lets take the responsibility and say that we are at fault and not the dog. Second, lets recognize that our needs have changed. We needed dogs for hunting, tracking, alarm, etc. Now, we need them as baby-replacements and companions.

In some ways, we have made a very clumsy leap "forward" but we can't expect dogs to do the same. 

If they are to give us what WE need, we must give them what THEY need. In this regard, dogs are perhaps the most important factor in humans successfully transitioning into the next age, the age of Enlightenment. How?

Lets save that discussion for the next post.

***

Dino Dogan is a blogger, writer, biker, dog trainer, singer/songwriter, Martial Artist. Dino is now busy with his DIY Blogger Net blog. He is also behind the great social media tool, Triberr. Hopefully one day he'll return to dog blogging. Meanwhile, you can connect with Dino on Twitter or Facebook.

Related articles:
Human-Dog Problem Tree - PART ONE
Human-Dog Problem Tree - PART TWO
Human-Dog Problem Tree - PART THREE
Human-Dog Problem Tree - PART FOUR 
Human-Dog Problem Tree - PART FIVE 
Human-Dog Problem Tree - PART SIX 
Human-Dog Problem Tree - PART SEVEN
Human Dog Problem Tree - PART EIGHT 

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Veterinary Highlights: Whistle Labs Dog Collar Add-On

Just recently I was writing about the value of observation in evaluation pain level and response to treatment in arthritic dogs.

How good in our observations are we, really, though?

Dogs are great observers. We, humans, tend to see what we want to see, what we fear is happening, or what we figure we should be seeing, depending on the personality. It's not really out fault, we are kind of programmed that way. The biggest censorship establishment is our own brain.

What we think we're looking at often might have little to do with what's in front of us.

Of course, practice makes master and one can learn what things to look for, and how to evaluate them properly. For better or for worse, there will always be a subjective element to our observations.

That is a reason why I find the idea of Whistle Labs interesting.

They came up with an Activity Monitor that measures dog's daily activities, such as walks, play, and rest. It provides a perspective on day-to-day behavior and long-term trends.

This can provide invaluable information when evaluating a dog's health and well being.

It might help you discover that your dog is slowing down and you need to look for a source of a problem, or adjust pain management. It might alert you to changes in your dog's sleeping pattern or anxiety. It might also help to get you of your couch and spend quality time with your dog more often.

The device is quite small and clips onto a collar.



I think it's a pretty neat little gizmo, worth of trying out.

Source article:
Startup Hopes to Boost Pooches’ Health Through Their Collars

Further information:
Whistle Labs

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Duffy's Knee Surgery: Can You Chip In?

by Cori Bowhay

My beautiful, sweet dog, Duffy,  had to have surgery.

She had completely ruptured her ACL and damaged the meniscus in her knee.

Duffy is only 3 years old, and VERY active. 

Since her injury she has been unable to run, jump and play the way she normally would. 

She couldn't even walk on her injured leg, and hopped around on 3 legs only. 

Every day it broke my heart to watch my best furry friend hop around. She often looked up at me with sadness in her eyes, knowing that she cannot play anymore.

What was the most heartbreaking for me and my mother is that we cannot afford the surgery to help our little friend get back to her active lifestyle.

Duffy loves new adventures and meeting new people. She is hyper and crazy and very friendly. Her quirky personality makes her even more loveable. She is incredibly smart and knows dozens of tricks that she loves to show off ay any chance (because she knows there's a treat in it for her!)

Duffy is my best friend and makes my life better. 

When I am happy, she is happy; when I am sad, she is sad. There is nothing I like better than seeing her head peeking out of the curtains in the window as I pull in the driveway. When I finally get in the door her tail wags so fast you can't even see it. There is no greater feeling than having your best friend greet you at the door everyday when you get home.

When we first brought Duffy home as a puppy, I was dealing with a severe depression, and working with Duffy to train her and spend time with her completely changed my life. 

My depression improved, and I began to enjoy the things I loved again. Because she is so active, I started hiking again-- something I hadn't done since high school!

My mother and I want to do whatever we can to help our friend to get her life back. 

Our financial situation has changed when my mother became unable to work due to serious illness. She has been unable to work for nearly two years. We are solely relying on my income to pay our mortgage and all of our bills. Normally, we manage to scrape enough together each month to pay our bills, but with huge unexpected vet bills we cannot.

This is why we are asking for your help.

Our vet thought it would be best to have the surgery as soon as possible, to prevent further damage. Being unable to afford the surgery, we were concerned.

However, our kind vet is allowing us to defer most of the payment until the end of June. 

So now the crunch is really on. Duffy is resting and recovering, and we are trying to raise funds to help cover the cost of her surgery.

Duffy's surgery is called Modified Retinacular Imbrication Technique (MRIT), which involves placing an implant in the stifle (knee) joint to stabilize the motion of tibia and fibula, preventing abnormal motion that is normally prevented by the Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL). Essentially this procedure substitutes the function of the original ligament using a combination of nylon sutures and natural scare tissue developed during the healing process.

Editors note: this procedure is more commonly known as lateral suture

There are other surgeries that are considered more effective-- like the TPLO-- however the MRIT is the most economical and the least invasive option.

This is because the implant is located on the outside of the join capsule and it doesn't require breaking and re-positioning of bone. For us, the MRIT was the best option based on price and recovery time. Without a doubt Duffy will develop arthritis in the joint, but with the surgery she will be able run and play again!

The amount we are asking for is based on:

Initial Veterinary Visit, X-Rays, Metacam- $440.63
Surgery, Pain Killers & Anti-biotics- $2446.12
Follow-Up and Staple Removal- $202.65
6 Month Supply of Metacam (Recovery Period)- $725.34
"Geri-Panel" Blood Test- $202.65
Total so far: $4017.39
(doesn't include the special food she is supposed to eat to manage her weight while she is unable to be active.)

Can you help?
Here is the link to the fundraiser, The Friends of Duffy.

If you would feel more comfortable donating directly to the vet's clinic on our behalf, please phone Animal Clinic West
403-246-8386

Tell them you would like to make a payment towards Duffy Bowhay's Surgery on behalf of her owner Cori. 

***

Any money raised that we don't need for the cost of Duffy's surgery and medication and recovery will be donated to the Calgary Humane Society.

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