July Team Member of the Month- Kris!!!!

“The squeaky wheel gets the oil!” Sometimes the most valued team members go unsung because their wheels never squeak. Our July team member of the month epitomizes that unsung star. Kris has worked for the HAH for over 20 years. She started as a Kennel Attendant and now runs the entire department.  She is entrusted with the care of our Police Canines because of her calm, careful responsibility. Although, she has a special fondness for the kitties she truly cares about all our patients and requires that same care from her staff.

Kris is sincerely dedicated to the success of the HAH and we are grateful for her. We are pleased to recognize her as our July Team Member of the Month!

July Patient of the Month- Magic!!!

July’s patient of the month could arguable be a story of real magic. This 6year old, 19 pound, Miniature Poodle spent 17 days in our hospital under the primary care of Dr. Carlos. This determined little guy inspired our team of doctors and technicians that worked day and night with emergency, critical and ultimately supportive care to ensure he returned home.

“Magic”, as he is so appropriately named, was referred by his regular veterinarian to our hospital after 3 days inappetance, lethargy, no bowel movements and a severe case of anemia of unknown origin.

Anemia is defined as a decreased number of red cells (RBCs) in the blood, due to loss of, destruction of or lack of production of the RBCs.  Future diagnostics would tell us that the cause of Magic’s anemia was a bleeding mass in his stomach.  But the challenge here was that the mass was not obvious on radiographs due to the presence of foreign material that Magic had ingested. Therefore the first two days of hospitalization were dedicated to stabilization and treatment of the anemia.  This treatment included fluids, immune suppressive medications and two separate blood transfusions from our in-house blood bank. By the beginning of his second day of treatment Magic was feeling better. Radiographs were repeated and the source of all his problems became clear. When the foreign material had passed through his stomach a sizable mass was clearly visible. 

Surgery was performed by Dr. Carlos and Dr. Bibevski that afternoon. In surgery they found the mass originating from the wall of the stomach.  The mass and a large portion of the stomach were removed.  While recovery from surgery was uneventful however, he was not out of the woods yet.

In the days that followed surgery, Magic developed symptoms expected from the removal of such a large portion of his stomach. These symptoms included vomiting, inappetance and lethargy which would wax and wane throughout his recovery. A Nasal Gastric tube was placed to help remove the buildup of bile in his stomach and alleviate his chronic vomiting. Intravenous fluids were administered to maintain hydration.

Warming up after a bath- getting ready to go home!!

Once food was reintroduced to Magic’s diet he acquired a severe case of pancreatitis. Pancreatitis is the inflammation and swelling of the pancreas. Pancreatitis can be caused by many things but is characterized by the abrupt onset of vomiting and severe pain in the abdomen. It is confirmed by blood tests showing elevated pancreatic enzymes- i.e.-amylase and/or lipase levels. Treatments involve gastric acid reducers, anti-emetics and complete rest of the pancreas by administering nothing by mouth for several days.

Magic started to show signs of improvement. He began to keep small amount of food down and maintain his energy.  Then, Magic again through us a curve ball. In a matter of 24 hours Magic went from nearly going home to critical condition. He was placed in our oxygen chamber and given a plasma transfusion to help his body recover from all the changes occurring in his body.  Each day, each hour even, Dr. Carlos evaluated and adjusted Magic’s care.

Is my Dad here?

The following week was full of ups and downs for our team and for Magic’s family. However, no one gave up. His family visited and discussed all options with Dr. Carlos. This was a trying time for everyone but Magic was a fighter.

On his final day of hospitalization, Magic was able to eat small amounts of food in a slurry and keep it down. His disposition was brighter and he was sent home with strict instruction about his dietary care. His prognosis was optimistic. Today, Magic is well. His entire family participates in his care and he is on his way to returning to his normal diet.

Stories like this and families like this that make the job we get to do every day a joy. Dr. Carlos and the HAH team used all their resources to help Magic return to his life of rest, relaxation and love and we are so pleased to have been a part of his medical team and recognize him as our July Patient of the Month!

July Team Member of the Month- Mike!!!

It is hard to believe that this team member has not been acknowledging before as Team Member of the Month. Perhaps his role in so many of our successes over the last year has been so seamless that isolating him has been a challenge. No more!!!!

You may remember him as our Santa Clause!!

Or met him during a late night ER visit…

You may have even seen him at Stonewall!!

Could it have been his Biggest Loser Victory?????

Perhaps his many appearances on YouTube have graced your screen.





This month we would like to draw your attention to Mike D!!!

After working at the Broward Animal Shelter, Mike began as a HAH Vet Assistant in August of 2010. He quickly moved through the ranks and is now a Doctor’s technician, Emergency Surgical technician, Critical Care technician, Santa Claus and so much more.

His skills set him apart. He is always available with a “YES” and his service is always successful. He is reliable, hard working and fun! He makes things look easy and seems to enjoy everything along the way. Mike is being recognized as our team member of the month for July but has been a shining member of our team for much longer.

We would very much like to thank him!!!

July Patient of the Month Bubba, in memoriam.

This month we would like to highlight a patient that touched not just the lives of his owners but the hearts of many here at the HAH. 

Bubba, a 14+ yr old yorkie, was a regular visitor beginning January, 2013. After being diagnosed at his regular vet with chronic renal failure, Bubba was prescribed subcutaneous fluids to be administers twice daily along with intermittent injectable medications, making him a frequent flyer through our doors and therefore meeting many of our day and night staff.

While his care with us only spanned 5 months of his life, a mere fraction of the time he spent on earth, we got to know him and his family in a very personal way and when his fight was over we all felt the loss. 

 

“Our lives have forever been changed by the passing of our little angel, but during his long courageous fight to stay with us, we met some of the most amazing people at Hollywood Animal Hospital. We will never find the words to thank Dr. Murphy for being the most amazing, caring and loving person and for Liz, Nicole, Amanda, Sara, Tammy, Dory, Kyle, Stefan, Larry, Donna, Mel, Leia and all the rest who will be in our hearts forever.

We miss their smiling faces everyday and will forever be grateful for their compassion. Although we never wanted to say good-bye to our angel it was time, his fight was over and he let us know it was time.”- Suzi Schecter

In his final months, Bubba’s conditions worsened when it was the end, he was surrounded by the people he had grown to love and those that loved him, in a place he felt was his second home.

We are thankful to have been a part of his life and care.

Dog House Repairs Month

Does your dog have a dog house? It's Dog House Repairs Month! Make sure their house is not made of pressure treated wood if they are a puppy or a chewer! Pressure treated wood is treated with arsenic and is poisonous to pets if consumed!

Leptospirosis

Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease spread in the urine of infected wildlife including deer, skunks, raccoons, moles and voles. We recommend and have available the Leptospirosis vaccine at Hollywood Animal hospital. It is not a part of our standard vaccine series but we do recommend it and believe it is important for any pet that has access to animal feces and standing water. Call us today at 954-920-3556 for more details about the Leptospirosis vaccine. 

Dr. James Carson

Dr. James Carson grew up in Louisville, Kentucky the oldest of three boys. After receiving his undergraduate degree, he earned a Master from Auburn University (WAR EAGLE!) and his DVM from LSU. His professional interests include surgery, general practice and critical care. In his time off he enjoys deep sea fishing, learning how to drive in South Florida and spending time with his wife and three cats, Ollie, Milo and Rugburn.

Client Testimonial

Good Afternoon,

I had to rush my young kitten to your emergency room Sunday night/Monday
morning as he had a couple of seizures and was not doing well at all. I
had been to an animal hospital closer to my home a year ago when my cat
was ill and refused to go back to that place because the care we received
there was not to my standards. I had heard wonderful things about your
facility and I wanted to tell you after our visit the other day that my
expectations were exceeded.

Unfortunately the visit did not go the way we hoped and we made the
difficult decision to let the kitten go due to his condition. Dr. Londono
and the vet tech (I am sorry but I do not remember her name, she was very
tall and very nice though) as well as the girl who gathered our
information were exceptional. Everything was explained to us and we were
treated with the utmost sensitivity and care. They were wonderful at a
very difficult time.

I know often the only thing companies hear are complaints about their
service or things that went wrong but I wanted to share with you how
impressed we were with your facility and staff. I hope that I will not
need emergency services for any of my animals but in the case that I do
the only place I will take my animals to is your facility. I will also
highly recommend your facility to anyone I know that is in need to medical
care for thier animals.

Thank you for providing the comfort and support we needed at a difficult
time and for doing your best to help our little kitten. A special thank
you to Dr. Londono and the girls that helped us!

Name:Julie Reger