Tuesday, October 24, 2023

Test Case Tuesday: Florence Feels Feeble (Case 2)

Picture of stuffed Alpaca named Professor Pocky wearing a stethoscope
Picture of Professor Pocky taken by Dr. Haus

Click For Explanation of Case Flow

 

Signalment:

Florence is a 10-year-old female intact cheetah living in a sanctuary in Africa

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History:

Over the past few months, the sanctuary workers have noticed that Florence is losing weight and showing signs of muscle atrophy (her muscles are wasting/thinning).  For the past week, Florence has been eating much less and she vomited twice.  Florence will sit at the side of her watering hole and drink a lot of water multiple times a day (she never did that before).  It is hard to say if Florence is urinating more as she is in an open living situation with multiple other cheetah friends.​

None of the other cheetahs in the habitat are showing any signs of disease.​

🌊 

Physical Exam Findings:

 

Attitude:

Lethargic (tired and blah) πŸ₯±

 

Body Condition Score (BCS) ☠️

3/9

 

Gum Color (Mucus Membrane Color):

Pale (light pink) 🩷

 

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πŸ›‘STOP and brainstorm what diagnostic tests you would like to perform on Florence πŸ›‘

 

 

Caution Sign Saying What Diagnostic Testing Should Be Performed?


Diagnostic Testing Results:

 

CBC (Complete Blood Count)

Red Blood Cells - Low (Anemia)

 

CHEM (Chemistry)

Renal values consistent with a renal (intrarenal) injury

Calcium - Low (hypocalcemia)

 

Urinalysis (UA)

Electrolyte values consistent with a renal (intrarenal) injury

Extremely dilute urine 

πŸ§ͺ

Day 1 Conclusion

Before Thoughtful Thursday think about your...

πŸ“‹ Differentials List

πŸ§ͺ Further Diagnostic Testing

πŸ“š Review Material Related to Florence's Case (i.e. blood cell types, specific diseases of interest, categories of kidney disease, causes of increased drinking (polydipsia), anemia, personal interests, confusing points, etc.)

 

Thoughtful Thursday:  Florence Feels Feeble (link will go live Thursday, 10/26/2023)

 

Dr. Haus's Unsolicited Life Advice:  Know your renal physiology, it will always bite you in the booty

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