Congratulations Dr. Sarpong!

Dr. Sarpong mastered a rigorous and demanding application process and certification examination in order to obtain Diplomate status. To qualify to sit for the extensive, two-day examination, a veterinarian must complete either a residency program or six years of clinical veterinary practice. In addition, two case reports, references, descriptions of practice procedures, and professional education records must be submitted and pass review. This year’s examination was given on November 4-6, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois.

Dr. Sarpong received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine with honors from Texas A&M in 2001. She has a special interests in endocrinology, soft tissue surgery, and oncology. Dr. Sarpong practices at Metro Paws Animal Hospital located at 1910 Skillman Ave in Dallas, and the soon to be opened practice at 1021 Fort Worth Avenue in Oak Cliff. She is a lifetime member of Texas Veterinary Medical Association, and member of Dallas County Veterinary Medical Association, and American Veterinary Medical Associal.

The American Board of Veterinary Practitioners was established in 1978 and is accredited by a special committee of the American Veterinary Medical Association to recognize excellence in clinical practice through the certification of species-oriented specialists. Over 860 veterinarians worldwide are certified in one of ABVP’s ten practice categories: Avian, Beef Cattle, Equine, Exotic Companion Mammal, Canine and Feline, Dairy, Feline, Food Animal, Reptile and Amphibian and Swine Health Management. For more information on ABVP visit www.abvp.com. For More information on Dr Sarpong and Metro Paws Animal Hospital, visit www.dallasmetropaws.com.

Dobie was intentionally hit by a car in August, 2007. He underwent two lengthy orthopedic surgeries to repair both sides of his pelvis.

Today he is an active, healthy dog that found his forever home through Animal Allies of Texas.

Dobie before

Dobie after

This kitten was presented to Metro Paws Animal Hospital by Operation Kindness. He had a birth defect that resulted in his eyelids not developing. These kittens cannot blink and their eye remains open even when they are sleeping. This kitten had to have one eye removed because it had become so ulcerated from hair scratching the eyeball. The other eyelid underwent two surgeries to graft skin from the lower lid into the place missing an upper eyelid.

Fred has a great prognosis for normal vision.

Fred before

Fred after

• Hydronephrosis is caused by increased intrarenal pressure due to ureteral defect (ie. ectopic, stenotic, hypoplastic, torsed, etc.)
• Uretronephrectomy is a viable solution when contralateral renal function is adequate.

A four week old kitten presented for abdominal distension. The owner had noticed the enlarging abdomen over the last week. None of this kitten’s littermates exhibited clinical signs. Aside from the enlarged abdomen, the owner reported a relatively normal history. The kitten displayed a good appetite, normal water intake, and an adequate activity level. The owner reported normal urine output.

Upon physical examination, the female kitten was quiet, alert, and responsive. Temperature was 101°F; respiratory rate was 24 breaths/min; and heart rate was 180bpm. Thoracic auscultation was unremarkable. Abdominal palpation revealed a very large, firm, discrete mass on the left side, extending the entire length of the abdomen.

Initial diagnostics included the radiograph at right. The film showed a large, homogeneous mass effect on the left side of the abdomen. It was, unfortunately, difficult to determine the source of the mass due to poor serosal detail. Poor detail was attributed to the patient’s juvenile status, but free fluid in the abdomen was not ruled out.

A sample of fluid was collected using a 22-gauge needle. At the time of collection, it was indeterminable whether the fluid was free in the abdomen or from a fluid-filled structure. The straw-colored, translucent fluid was acellular and had a specific gravity of 1.005.

Additional diagnostics were offered to the owner, including bloodwork, urinalysis, and additional imaging (ie. contrast study and/or ultrasonography). The owner declined further testing. Therefore, an exploratory laparotomy was recommended to identify, and potentially correct, the abnormality.

Visualization of the abdominal cavity revealed an extremely enlarged, fluid-filled sac in place of the left kidney. The ureter appeared to be normally positioned and no obvious cause of obstruction could be detected. The contralateral kidney appeared normal in size, shape, position, and texture. No free fluid was noted in the abdomen.

A uretronephrectomy was performed on the left side.

The kitten’s urinary output was monitored closely post-operatively. She voided normally 4 hours after surgery and has continued to do so since.

At 1 year post-op, this kitten (which was renamed “One-Kidney Sidney”) was asymptomatic and healthy.

2. Equipment – Make sure that your puppy has all the necessary equipment to be safe and happy – leash, collar, id tag, crate, fenced yard, safe toys, etc.

3. Potty Training – Decide where your puppy will potty. This should be their first stop after eating, sleeping, or playing. If your puppy is not in a place that it is appropriate to potty – they should be on a leash with you. Every time your puppy sneaks off to urinate or defecate in the house – your delay in verbal correction re-inforces to them that this was acceptable behavior. Consistency is the key and vigiliant supervision is the only way to ensure such repetition.

4. Socialization – Play with your puppy’s feet, tummy, and mouth. These forms of play help your puppy learn that you are the head of the pack. If bad habits are developing (snapping, barking, chewing, etc) – talk to your vet or seek early intervention with a behaviorist. Talk to the staff at MPAH for a behavioralist referral! Remember – your puppy only wants to please you. If he/she isn’t, you have likely not adequately communicated to your puppy how to do so.

5. Medical Care – Have your puppy examined by a veterinarian within the 1st 48 hours. Your puppy should be screened for congenital problems, as well as checked for intestinal or skin parasites that could be passed to your family. Additionally – your veterinarian can discuss with you the importance of preventaive care (such as vaccinations and heartworm prevention) as well as spaying/neutering your new puppy.

My dog has Heartworms. What are my options?
Immiticide – This is an injectable mediation that kills the adult worms that live in the dog’s heart. A dog must stay overnight, as 2 injections are given 24 hours apart. After treatment, it is important to keep your dog indoors and quiet for 6 weeks.
Prior to treatment, bloodwork and xrays are done to determine the stage of the heartworm disease. This helps to identify any potential problems that might cause complications to your dog during the treatment. In some circumstances, the xrays and bloodwork can be declined by the owner. This is considered against medical advice, and the likelihood of complications cannot be assessed without these diagnostics.
Preventative – THIS IS CONSIDERED OFF-LABEL USAGE
Starting HW preventative on a dog known to have heartworms does not effect the adults that live in the heart. It does, however, prevent the dog from acquiring any more heartworms from the environment (mosquitoes). Your dog remains at risk for severe complications, including death, from the present heartworms. In addition, care must taken after starting HW prevention because this medication causes the baby heartworms in the bloodstream to die.

What are the risks of not treating the adult worms?
The adult worms that live in the heart are a constant source of danger. Their presence can cause localized infection and inflammation or impair blood flow resulting in organ failure. They can also break off and cause sudden death and/or a potentially fatal pneumonia. Any dog known to have heartworms should be kept quiet to decrease the likelihood of secondary problems.

Selecting a new pet is an important decision since bringing an animal into your home means providing shelter, food, care, and love. Most cats and dogs have a lifespan of 12-20 years and it is a large commitment to adopt one into your home!

Many families with small yards, or living in apartments choose cats. Cats enjoy longer healthier lives if kept strictly indoors. Most cats enjoy having other pets in the household especially if introduced to other pets as a kitten. Cats can befriend dogs, other cats, and even birds.

Purebred and mixed breed dogs both can make great pets. Many pure bred dogs are available at shelters and in rescue groups. “Mutts” or breed crosses can often have good aspects of personality or appearance without some of the genetic problems that plaque some lines of pure bred dogs. There is now a test to see what combination of breeds is in your “mutt’s” family tree. Your veterinarian can send out a sample of your favorite dog’s DNA for analysis. Your veterinarian also can help you find a new pet from a rescue group or from a reputable breeder.

If using a breeder for your new puppy, beware of those advertising on an internet search engine or in the classifieds. Get a personal recommendation, and try to visit the home where the puppies have been raised. Ask to see the parents and littermates. Many of the severely ill puppies I see come from flea market type environments from unscrupulous breeders / dealers. Unfortunately, a lot of puppy mills supply sellers in our area. Good breeders will be happy to let you see their facility, dogs, and records.

Here are a few suggestions to consider. This is not meant as a complete list!

Consider a trial visit to verify a good fit.