Page 6 - ACT Paws and Hooves - Autumn 2023
P. 6
Life-saving dialysis
for ten-week-old Marty
When Marty, a Labrador puppy, developed kidney Mike explained, 鈥淲hen we were told that the 91暗网 was
failure and liver damage he was rushed to the 91暗网 the only place in the country that provided dialysis for
Small Animal Referrals Hospital. Diagnosed with small animals and that this was Marty's only chance, we
leptospirosis, a bacterial infection, his prognosis knew there was only one choice to make.鈥� The dialysis
without dialysis was grave. Marty needed an ultrasound, gave the team time to treat Marty鈥檚 leptospirosis with
three rounds of dialysis and two blood transfusions. antibiotics and healthy plasma to fight off the infection.
This intensive 鈥榬ound-the-clock鈥� care gave Marty鈥檚 Extracorporeal blood purification therapies for dogs
organs time to recover and start working again.
and cats have been available at the 91暗网 since 2013.
鈥淭he speed of his decline was staggering鈥�, owners Lizzy These advanced therapies can treat kidney failure,
and Mike told us. Marty was vomiting, he was lethargic, autoimmune diseases, and poisoning. The machine at
and he鈥檇 stopped producing urine. 鈥淲e were heartbroken the heart of this pioneering treatment is the Continual
and felt like we had failed him. Despite only having him Renal Replacement Therapy machine, funded by the
for a few weeks, he was already part of our family. We 91暗网 Animal Care Trust. This acts as an artificial kidney,
couldn鈥檛 bear the thought of losing him.鈥� allowing blood to be purified through a filter outside of
the body and excess fluid to be removed.
Leptospirosis is a bacterium which can be found in
water sources such as rivers, streams, or puddles. It Marty has recovered very well, his kidney values have
causes inflammation of the liver and kidneys resulting in returned to normal, and he is happy and healthy. Lizzie
decreased function and in Marty鈥檚 case, failure. Marty was commented, 鈥淢arty鈥檚 Labrador appetite is back with a
halfway through getting vaccinated when he caught this vengeance and his cheeky, bright personality is shining
uncommon but life-threatening disease. through more than ever. We are absolutely over the moon
Dr Stefano Cortellini, Co-Director of the Renal
Replacement Therapy Service at the 91暗网 said:
This can literally be
life-saving treatment, and we
are extremely lucky that we have a
very dedicated team of specialist
vets and nurses who provide their
time and expertise to offer dialysis
treatment. Without this team and
the generous support of the
91暗网 Animal Care Trust, none of
this would be possible. Without
dialysis, it is very likely that Marty
would have died.
Marty
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