AHT Case Studies- Pushkin Rodgers
Pushkin, a female tabby-cat, was referred to the ophthalmology unit at the Animal Health Trust when she was 10 years old with impaired vision. She was found to have retinal haemorrhage and retinal detachment.
These abnormalities tend to be associated with hypertension and measurement of her blood pressure confirmed the suspicion. A diagnosis of hypertensive retinopathy was made and Pushkin was given a course of Istin. She was monitored for several months and the eye condition was progressing well. However, AHT Ophthalmologist, Dr Jane Sansom, felt that Pushkin’s high blood pressure was due to another underlying disease. Dr Sansom consulted the Trust’s feline specialist, Dr Andy Sparkes, for his help. Further examination revealed that Pushkin had hyperthyroidism, a common disorder of older cats caused by an increased production of thyroid hormones from the thyroid glands in the neck. Drugs can control hyperthyroidism, or the affected thyroid tissue can be removed surgically, but the safest and most effective treatment is radioactive iodine therapy, and it was arranged that Pushkin would undergo this treatment.
Pushkin returned home after a compulsory stay and, within a few days, was up on the fence and in her favourite hunting ground amongst the Russian vine on top of the garage roof. “Thank you a million times for a wonderfully successful treatment and for giving us back Pushkin who is clearly enjoying her life again”, said her owner Mrs Rodgers.
The Trust is one of only four specialist centres in the UK that are able to offer this form of treatment. Radioactive material is administered as an injection and is taken up by the abnormal thyroid tissue without damaging the surrounding tissues. Following treatment, cats must remain in the clinic for three weeks to avoid radiation exposure to their owners.
In June 2006 Pushkin was again referred to the Animal Health Trust, this time to the internal medicine unit, with a subcutaneous swelling of the nasal dorsum at the site of a scratch injury. Subsequent biopsy and culture revealed a fungal infection of a Mucor sp. Mucor is found in soil, plants and woodland areas – Pushkin had clearly been enjoying life to the full! Treatment options were discussed with her owner and it was decided to administer the novel triazole antifungal agent posaconazole for approximately five months. This, unlike other options which would have required hospitalisation, could be administered at home by her owner with minimal disturbance to Pushkin’s lifestyle. Throughout treatment Pushkin remained active, bright and well, complete resolution was seen with no relapse six months after discontinuation of treatment.
Pushkin is now 16 years old. She continues to visit the Trust for regular eye examinations and check-ups; she remains in remarkably good health and still enjoys mousing. “I think she is a remarkable testimony to the excellence of the AHT and her story really does illustrate how lucky we are to have the different veterinary specialties all under one roof at AHT” said Mrs Rodgers.