|
If there is one thing for sure, nothing is ever certain!
I certainly didn't anticipate writing an article about "Tommy"
Raske - a 2 year old "moggie".
Over the preceding months "Tommy" had developed
progressively worse seizures or fits. Despite a very long
list of blood tests we were unable to determine a diagnosis.
Therapy aimed at controlling the fits had to be steadily
increased. The situation appeared to be deteriorating rapidly.
"Tommy's" owners were having to use medication
administered per rectum to break the fitting cycle. We had
reached a crisis point and even discussed bringing "Tommy's
" problems to an end through euthanasia.
Despite this we considered one more option. That was to
refer "Tommy" to the UK's finest veterinary neurologist
- Geoff Skerritt in Chester.
An emergency appointment was arranged and we kept him stable
over the next few days until he was transferred to Chester
where he would have an MRI scan.It was, as they say very,
"Touch and Go!"
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an imaging technique
that uses a strong magnetic field and pulses of radiofrequency
energy to cause tissues to emit characteristic energy signalsThe
MRI computer converts the signal intensity to varying shades
of grey in the image. MRI scans are much more sensitive
for detecting disease processes in the head and spine than
standard radiography.
As luck would have it, a brain tumour (meningioma) was
diagnosed.These are the most commonly reported brain tumours
in cats over 9 years of age.
Tommy's operation to remove the offending lesion was extremely
successful and he has recovered very well................
although the Times crossword is still giving him some difficulty!
Even Mr Skerritt commented on how rare it was for "Tommy"
to have developed a meningioma at such a young age. One
thing is for certain that if "Tommy" didn't have
such dedicated owners he wouldn't be here now!
|
