UFVMC Oncology Discharge Instructions
Jan. 1st, 2010 08:40 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
sff_corgi_ljDiagnosis
Ventral neck mass - likely thyroid carcinomasarcoma. This is an unusual tumor type in the dog. Results of further tests are still pending.
Diagnostic Procedures
[snip]
Therapy and Expectations
At surgery the neck mass was removed from the surrounding structures. It was closely attached to trachea, esophagus and major nerves and vessels, but was able to be separated leaving all of these intact. We also removed a small cystic mass from the other thyroid (left) and a parathyroid gland.
Following tumor removal, his larynx was opened with a single suture deep inside the neck to allow him to breathe more easily. The nerves to the larynx have been compressed and damaged from the presence of the neck mass which means it was not able to function appropriately.
He has done very well since surgery - is eating well, drinking well, and seems remarkably happy. He had one episode of vomiting after surgery but since we started anti-nausea tablets.
His blood calcium was high before surgery, and since removing the thyroid mass and parathyroid tissue it has been falling steadily. This is not surprising, given the fact it was high pre-surgery, as the remaining parathyroid tissue needs some time (typically weeks) to become fully functional again.
In the meantime, we are putting D'Argo onto vitamin D, which will increase the amount of calcium absorbed from his diet. It is likely he will need to be on this for 1-2 months. He will need periodic blood tests at your vet to measure calcium. As the calcium returns to normal, we can begin to wean him off the vitamin D.
Because of his throat surgery and the tieback procedure, he will cough/clear his throat for a few weeks after surgery. This is to be expected due to the extent of the surgery performed. If the coughing becomes productive, he develops a sticky nasal discharge, or he becomes dull and depressed then please contact us or your vet.
D'Argo was placed in the recovery ward/ICU where he was provided with 24 hour care and monitoring. D'Argo received injectable pain medications during and after surgery. We are sending oral pain medications home with D'Argo, so please use them as directed. Side effects of these medications are typically gastro-intestinal upsets such as vomitting, diarrhea and inappetance. If D'Argo exhibits these symptoms, discontinue the medications and contact the Oncology department. If D'Argo seems uncomfortable or in pain dispite the medications, please contact the Oncology department or your referring veterinarian.
The sample was submitted for histopathology (ie, biopsy), which will indicate the tumor type, completeness of removal (ie, margin status), expected biologic behaviour of your pet's tumor, the need for further treatment, and the recommended follow-up tests (eg. physical exam, x-rays, ultrasound, etc.). Histopathology results are typically obtained approximately one week after surgery and we will contact you and your referring veterinarian as soon as they are available. With malignant tumors, there is a chance of local tumor recurrance and regional metastasis (eg. draining lymph nodes) or distant metastasis to other organs (eg. lungs). Our goal during surgery is to include a wide margin of normal surrounding tissue to decrease the chance of local regrowth. In some instances, it is not possible to include such a margin and adjunctive therapies such as radiation and/or chemotherapy are necessary to prevent regrowth of the tumor. We will discuss the need for these adjunctive therapies when we call with the biopsy results. It is important to remember that, even if you are told D'Argo's tumor has been completely removed (ie, clean margins), it is still important to monitor the surgical site for local regrowth. Periodic rechecks will also be recommended at this time to assess the disease status.
To avoid any wound healing complications, please keep D'Argo's incision/bandage dry and clean until the sutures are removed in 10-14 days after surgery. Do not bathe or allow D'Argo to go swimming until the sutures are removed. If D'Argo's incision requires a protective bandage this must be changed daily by UFVMC or your referring veterinarian unless otherwise notified. Please monitor D'Argo's surgical incision daily for any excessive bleeding, swelling, redness, discharge or odor, as these symptoms may indicate an infection. An E-collar is an excellent way to protect the incision from licking/chewing during the healing phase. If any of these symptoms occur, please call the Oncology department or your referring veterinarian.
Comments
D'Argo was a wonderful patient today... [snip]
Medications
Cholecalciferol
Clavamox
Metaclopromide
Ventral neck mass - likely thyroid carcinomasarcoma. This is an unusual tumor type in the dog. Results of further tests are still pending.
Diagnostic Procedures
[snip]
Therapy and Expectations
At surgery the neck mass was removed from the surrounding structures. It was closely attached to trachea, esophagus and major nerves and vessels, but was able to be separated leaving all of these intact. We also removed a small cystic mass from the other thyroid (left) and a parathyroid gland.
Following tumor removal, his larynx was opened with a single suture deep inside the neck to allow him to breathe more easily. The nerves to the larynx have been compressed and damaged from the presence of the neck mass which means it was not able to function appropriately.
He has done very well since surgery - is eating well, drinking well, and seems remarkably happy. He had one episode of vomiting after surgery but since we started anti-nausea tablets.
His blood calcium was high before surgery, and since removing the thyroid mass and parathyroid tissue it has been falling steadily. This is not surprising, given the fact it was high pre-surgery, as the remaining parathyroid tissue needs some time (typically weeks) to become fully functional again.
In the meantime, we are putting D'Argo onto vitamin D, which will increase the amount of calcium absorbed from his diet. It is likely he will need to be on this for 1-2 months. He will need periodic blood tests at your vet to measure calcium. As the calcium returns to normal, we can begin to wean him off the vitamin D.
Because of his throat surgery and the tieback procedure, he will cough/clear his throat for a few weeks after surgery. This is to be expected due to the extent of the surgery performed. If the coughing becomes productive, he develops a sticky nasal discharge, or he becomes dull and depressed then please contact us or your vet.
D'Argo was placed in the recovery ward/ICU where he was provided with 24 hour care and monitoring. D'Argo received injectable pain medications during and after surgery. We are sending oral pain medications home with D'Argo, so please use them as directed. Side effects of these medications are typically gastro-intestinal upsets such as vomitting, diarrhea and inappetance. If D'Argo exhibits these symptoms, discontinue the medications and contact the Oncology department. If D'Argo seems uncomfortable or in pain dispite the medications, please contact the Oncology department or your referring veterinarian.
The sample was submitted for histopathology (ie, biopsy), which will indicate the tumor type, completeness of removal (ie, margin status), expected biologic behaviour of your pet's tumor, the need for further treatment, and the recommended follow-up tests (eg. physical exam, x-rays, ultrasound, etc.). Histopathology results are typically obtained approximately one week after surgery and we will contact you and your referring veterinarian as soon as they are available. With malignant tumors, there is a chance of local tumor recurrance and regional metastasis (eg. draining lymph nodes) or distant metastasis to other organs (eg. lungs). Our goal during surgery is to include a wide margin of normal surrounding tissue to decrease the chance of local regrowth. In some instances, it is not possible to include such a margin and adjunctive therapies such as radiation and/or chemotherapy are necessary to prevent regrowth of the tumor. We will discuss the need for these adjunctive therapies when we call with the biopsy results. It is important to remember that, even if you are told D'Argo's tumor has been completely removed (ie, clean margins), it is still important to monitor the surgical site for local regrowth. Periodic rechecks will also be recommended at this time to assess the disease status.
To avoid any wound healing complications, please keep D'Argo's incision/bandage dry and clean until the sutures are removed in 10-14 days after surgery. Do not bathe or allow D'Argo to go swimming until the sutures are removed. If D'Argo's incision requires a protective bandage this must be changed daily by UFVMC or your referring veterinarian unless otherwise notified. Please monitor D'Argo's surgical incision daily for any excessive bleeding, swelling, redness, discharge or odor, as these symptoms may indicate an infection. An E-collar is an excellent way to protect the incision from licking/chewing during the healing phase. If any of these symptoms occur, please call the Oncology department or your referring veterinarian.
Comments
D'Argo was a wonderful patient today... [snip]
Medications
Cholecalciferol
Clavamox
Metaclopromide
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2010-01-02 05:05 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-01-02 05:16 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-01-02 07:43 am (UTC)Does he have a "Cone of Shame"? He looks so cute in his icon picture, I can just see him creating some kind of mischief.
no subject
Date: 2010-01-02 02:39 pm (UTC)As to the Cone... oh, nonono. Can you see where his stitches are? He can't even wear a collar right now (not that he needs one, much). He was pretty active as a puppy - ate part of a couch, loved tearing open bags of plastic grocery bags otherwise destined for recycling, etc.
When he's healed up enough and has some more of his muscle back, we'll go play in the golf course sprinklers again. :D
no subject
Date: 2010-01-03 12:09 am (UTC)Strong thoughts to you.
no subject
Date: 2010-01-03 07:14 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-01-04 07:57 pm (UTC)