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DOG PARALYSED AFTER BEING HIT BY LORRY CAN RUN AGAIN

Posted on 27 March 202327 March 2023 by Samantha Macdonald

A dog’s determination to walk again after being paralysed in a road traffic accident has astounded our expert team here at Willows.

Six-year-old Caesar, an American bulldog, was left with a fractured neck that meant he was paralysed in his front legs and had very little movement in his back legs, after being hit by a lorry.

However, our team who provided specialist-led multidisciplinary treatment to Caesar in the aftermath of his injuries have hailed his willpower to get back on all paws, leading a member of the team to proclaim: “Caesar is the most determined dog we have ever met.”

Caesar’s brush with death started when he ran across a busy road after snapping his lead when he became anxious of another dog.

Grateful owner Nigel Smith, from Worcester, said: “My wife was with Caesar when it happened and she was left distraught by it for a long time. There was a chance he wouldn’t survive the surgery or ever recover.

“The surgeon was very clear in the diagnosis and explanation of the treatment. They looked after him tremendously and were very aware of his anxiety around other dogs. I’m sure they had a soft spot for him.

“Amazingly, he’s now almost 100 per cent being back to how he used to be. He does have things that only we notice, such as a slight weakness on his right side and a droop in his right eye, but he does everything he used to do.

“The team at Willows do incredible things that would not normally seem possible.”

Caesar spent eight days with us after his surgery, which was performed by our head of neurology Sebastian Behr and our resident in veterinary neurology Victoria Indjova and has since undergone rehabilitation treatment at the hospital, including veterinary physiotherapy.

Victoria said: “Caesar wanted to move and walk as soon as he recovered from surgery. Our rehabilitation team started assisted physiotherapy exercises which encouraged him to start moving again.

“He enjoyed his rehabilitation sessions so much and became stronger each day until he was literally pulling us around the yard. Only eight days after surgery, Caesar was walking without any support from the hoist.

“Just three months later, Caesar has made a complete recovery and is back to running around his favourite field.

“It was a real team effort, involving our neurology specialists, dedicated neurology nurses, physiotherapists, nurses and veterinary care assistants.”

OWNER’S RELIEF AFTER DOG’S LIFESAVING SURGERY AT WILLOWS

Posted on 28 February 202328 February 2023 by Samantha Macdonald

A dog owner has breathed a huge sigh of relief after his beloved English bulldog underwent lifesaving surgery here at Willows.

Three-year-old Phoebe had two emergency operations with us in just three months after being badly affected by Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS).

Indeed, Phoebe’s struggles with BOAS left her owner Lee O’Reilly, from Wishaw, West Midlands, fearing the worst on several occasions – including the night before his wedding.

Lee confessed: “Phoebe had severe respiratory issues because of BOAS and there were times when I thought she was going to die.

“There were a couple of times when I was rushing her in for treatment and honestly didn’t think she would even make it to the vets.

“On the night before my wedding to my now-wife Victoria, I had been to the rehearsal ceremony and received a call afterwards saying Phoebe had collapsed in the garden, her tongue had gone black and she appeared to have stopped breathing.

“Luckily, a neighbour with a degree in animal science intervened on that occasion to open up her airways again and keep her alive.

“It really has been a traumatic time with Phoebe’s BOAS causing one crisis after another but thankfully the brilliant team at Willows have saved the day.”

Erika Villedieu, a European Specialist in small animal surgery here at Willows, helped lead Phoebe’s surgeries and subsequent recovery.

She said it was a challenging case, however, was confident Phoebe’s quality of life had not only been saved but had, in fact, been transformed.

Erika explained: “Phoebe first presented at Willows as an emergency, for management of a respiratory crisis.

“She was diagnosed with BOAS, a condition that commonly affects some popular flat-faced breeds. Her larynx had become very swollen, making it very difficult for her to breathe.

“Phoebe needed a temporary tracheostomy tube (a tube in the windpipe to bypass her upper airway) to allow her to breathe.

“Once her upper airway became less swollen the tube was removed and Phoebe underwent standard BOAS surgery to open up her airways.”

Normally, this operation makes a real difference to a dog’s gasping and breathing difficulties, however, Phoebe developed a secondary problem soon afterwards.

Erika continued: “Although Phoebe initially recovered well from the first operation, she suffered another respiratory crisis three months later and another temporary tracheostomy tube had to be placed.

“Phoebe was suffering from reflux and regurgitation, too, which is relatively common in dogs with BOAS, and can aggravate the respiratory signs.

“Phoebe was treated with medication and a change of diet for her regurgitation, and she improved.

“However, her breathing remained more laboured than it should and she was making a wheezy noise, which prompted more investigations.

“An airway examination under general anaesthesia revealed a Grade 3 laryngeal collapse, a serious condition and advanced stage of BOAS where the voicebox cartilages become soft and collapsed into the airway.

“I operated to remove a portion of the cartilages obstructing her voicebox (bilateral cuneiformectomy) and she also underwent correction of a hiatal hernia, an abnormally large opening in her diaphragm which could aggravate regurgitation signs.

“Phoebe then spent a few days in Willows’ specialist intensive care unit before going home with instructions to rest and continue her gastrointestinal medication.

“She has since recovered very well and her breathing has drastically improved, although she remains on limited exercise due to her underlying condition.”

Owner Lee added: “She is the loveliest little soul and a real sweetheart, and she’s so much better now. We’re very grateful to all the experts at Willows.

“We’ll have to manage her condition for the rest of her life, including carefully controlling her exercise and keeping her on a special diet but it is great to see her finally living the dream!

“We didn’t realise the problems associated with short muzzle breeds such as boxers and pugs and hope Phoebe’s case can highlight this issue among owners and potential owners.”

STATE-OF-THE-ART EYE CAMERA OPENS NEW OPPORTUNITIES

Posted on 22 February 202322 February 2023 by Samantha Macdonald

We are delighted to have added further to our impressive range of state-of-the-art ophthalmic equipment with the arrival of an ultra-modern fundus camera.

As well as registering specific lesions and monitoring their progress, the hi-tech fundus camera allows our Specialist-led Ophthalmology team to take photos of the back of a patient’s eye, which in turn will allow them to determine trends and establish possible hereditary diseases in certain breeds.

Rodrigo Pinheiro De Lacerda, our Head of Ophthalmology, said: “The arrival of our fundus camera is a huge boost for our patients and the hospital.

“It will allow us to provide an even higher level of eye care, not least by providing clients with a better understanding of their pet’s diseases.”

The fundus camera also benefits us by allowing the training of residents, the teaching of referring vets through CPD or by sharing information on referral letters that the vets can then examine on their own.

Furthermore, it allows the opportunity for writing case reports describing unusual presentations of certain diseases.

Rodrigo added: “Our fundus camera opens up a raft of new opportunities that will further enhance the reputation of Willows as having one of the strongest veterinary ophthalmology teams in the UK.”

To find out more about our wide range of specialist services, including ophthalmology, email our team at enquiries@willows.uk.net.

An eye image taken using a fundus camera

RENOWNED SPECIALIST APPOINTED CLINICAL DIRECTOR AT WILLOWS

Posted on 6 February 202320 February 2023 by Samantha Macdonald

Our newly appointed Clinical Director has pledged to ensure Willows’ state-of-the-art referral centre in the West Midlands remains at the heart of leading-edge veterinary care.

Chris Shales, a Fellow of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS), is keen to help introduce a range of exciting advances in treatment as part of his new role here at Willows.

Chris, a European Specialist in Small Animal Surgery, was formerly our Head of Soft Tissue Surgery and has a proud track record of delivering innovative treatments at the hospital – with ambitious plans for more in the future.

He explained: “Willows is an amazing facility filled with outstanding people with unparalleled levels of skill, knowledge and experience.

“I can’t wait to explore the new ways in which I can help the team continue to keep providing the highest level of care for as many pets as possible.

“We are well aware our profession continues to evolve, as do the requirements of our hard-working referring vets.

“This dictates that the hospital also needs to continue to adapt both in terms of the way we work together and the facilities themselves.

“There are already a number of new Specialist procedures we have recently introduced at Willows, including our pioneering mitral-valve clamp programme with which our Cardiology team is leading the industry in the UK.

“I know the next few years will see even more significant changes at Willows and it is hugely exciting to be able to help drive these projects forward.”

Willows Managing Director Toby Gemmill has worked with Chris for more than a decade and is confident he and Hospital Director Tom Reilly, who was appointed to lead the hospital in October 2022, will form an impressive team.

Toby said: ““Chris’s appointment as Clinical Director is an exciting step for Willows, and I am looking forward to working with him and Tom as we continue to develop our services and our team.

“Chris is hugely experienced, is very widely respected, and is perfectly placed to continue our ‘commitment to excellence’ in everything we do.”

Chris joined our Soft Tissue Surgical team in 2009 and has since played a key role in developing the Willows’ brachycephalic airway, laparoscopic and interventional radiography services.

The Cambridge University graduate has also been programme director for the training of surgical residents and was recently awarded a Fellowship of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons for his outstanding contribution to clinical practice.

Chris describes his career to date as “a real rollercoaster of emotion”, adding: “Being a vet has certainly been a rich and varied profession so far, and I wouldn’t want to do anything else.

“The past 23 years have provided me with lots of memories ranging from amusing – for example, a dog eating one of the doorknobs from the owner’s house in protest at not being fed – to extremely sad, when people’s beloved companions become seriously unwell.”

Chris has had numerous research papers published and addressed both national and international conferences.

He’s also worked with the British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA), the Association of Veterinary Soft Tissue Surgeons (AVSTS) and is currently a member of the programme committee of the European College of Veterinary Surgeons (ECVS). Outside of work, he is a keen rugby fan, cook, mountain biker, amateur landscape gardener and loves walking the hills with his family, Labrador Hattie and friends.

GROUNDBREAKING HEART TREATMENT FOR DOGS LAUNCHED

Posted on 24 January 202312 February 2023 by Samantha Macdonald

Our world-renowned cardiology team at Willows is leading the veterinary industry by pioneering a groundbreaking procedure to tackle heart disease in dogs.

Willows is currently the only centre in the UK, and one of just a very few in the world, offering the innovative transcatheter edge-to-edge mitral valve repair (TEER).

A minimally invasive heart procedure, TEER has been specifically developed for the treatment of Myxomatous Mitral Valve Disease (MMVD), which is the most common heart disease seen in dogs.

RCVS and European Specialist in Small Animal Cardiology Simon Swift heads our industry-leading Cardiology team, which also includes RCVS and European Specialists Fabio Sarcinella and Siddharth Sudunagunta.

Simon explained: “MMVD occurs when the mitral valve, which divides the left side of the heart into top and bottom chambers (atrium and ventricle respectively), starts leaking and creates a heart murmur.

“The leak can gradually become larger and, in the long term, often leads to dilation of the left-sided chambers.

“In time, the pressure in the left atrium starts rising and ultimately leads to development of fluid in the lungs, known as congestive heart failure or pulmonary oedema.

“Transcatheter edge-to-edge mitral valve repair (TEER) is already considered an alternative to surgical repair in human patients and there have been some very promising early clinical results in dogs.

“We are incredibly excited to be pioneering this TEER procedure at Willows in the treatment of dogs affected by advanced mitral valve disease.

“The procedure is performed under general anaesthesia through a small incision in the chest wall.

“Access within the beating heart is achieved by a needle puncture at the apex of the heart which is highlighted by continuous X-ray images and an ultrasound of the heart via a probe placed in the oesophagus.

“This allows correct positioning of a V-clamp across the mitral valve to reduce the amount of leakage.

“It’s a procedure that delivers meaningful results and an improved quality of life and, because it’s a minimally invasive process, patients are typically discharged from hospital within two days.”

The first TEER procedure carried out here at Willows was to treat Chester, a 10-year-old Havanese.

Fabio Sarcinella was part of our truly multi-disciplinary treatment of Chester and said: “In order to be accredited to perform this procedure at Willows, our Cardiology, Soft Tissue and Anaesthesia teams underwent a lengthy training process.

“Our Cardiologists also visited Colorado State University and Hongyu medical headquarters in Shanghai for further training and to assist with procedures.

Chester, the first patient to undergo a pioneering TEER procedure at Willows Veterinary Centre and Referral Service

“In the case of Chester, our first TEER procedure carried out here at Willows, a multi-disciplinary meeting involving Cardiologists, Anaesthetists and Soft Tissue Surgeons was held a few days before the procedure to ensure everyone was confident with the different steps of this challenging intervention and that all necessary equipment was available on the day.

“On the day of the procedure, Chester was supported by the presence in theatre of two Anaesthetists, two Soft Tissue Surgeons, three Cardiologists and three Cardiology nurses.

“During the procedure, state-of-the-art transoesophageal and fluoroscopy imaging guidance was used for the successful outcome of this surgery. “While recovering in our ICU, Chester was under the care of one of our emergency and critical care specialists and we’re delighted to say has made an excellent recovery.”

DERMATOLOGY SPECIALIST JOINS EXPERT TEAM AT WILLOWS

Posted on 17 January 202312 February 2023 by Samantha Macdonald

We are starting the year with the exciting announcement that we have expanded our Specialist Dermatology team, making Willows in Solihull the only referral centre in the UK to be home to two Dermatology Specialists.

A head and shoulders image of a woman in veterinary scrubs smiling at the camera.

Tania Nunes Rodrigues, EBVS® European and RCVS Specialist in Veterinary Dermatology, has joined our team, where she will be working with our Head of Dermatology, Richard Harvey and other Specialist-led disciplines here at Willows.

After graduating from Faculdade de Medicina Veterinaria, University of Lisbon, in Portugal, in 2010, Tania moved to the UK in 2012, to work at a busy mixed practice in Lincolnshire.

She began focusing on Dermatology at a referral practice in Merseyside in 2013 and, five years later, began a three-year Dermatology residency at Gent University in Belgium. In 2019, she obtained the Certificate of Advanced Veterinary Practice in Dermatology.

In 2022, Tania, whose main interests include atopy, immune-mediated conditions and ear disease, became a diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Dermatology.

Tania said: “I am deeply passionate about improving the quality of life for my patients and am delighted to be joining such a renowned referral centre as Willows.

“I will continue to develop my Dermatology knowledge to ensure our patients continue to receive the very best care possible.”

Richard said: “It’s great to have such an experienced Specialist joining the team here at Willows and I’m looking forward to working with Tania.

“She has a wealth of experience in Dermatology and will be a hugely important team member.”

Outside of work, Tania enjoys spending time with her two cats and loves exploring new places, parks and culture.

LIFE SWEET AGAIN FOR OREO AFTER SPECIALIST-LED KEYHOLE SURGERY

Posted on 12 January 202312 February 2023 by Samantha Macdonald

Our industry-leading soft tissue specialists displayed all of their expert keyhole surgery skills when carrying out a lifesaving procedure on a beloved pet labrador.

Eleven-year-old Oreo was referred to us here at Willows in Solihull for treatment of an adrenal mass, with our state-of-the-art small animal hospital one of just a few across the UK able to carry out the highly complex keyhole procedure used to remove the tumour.

The successful operation was led by Erika Villedieu, EBVS® European Specialist in Small Animal Surgery, and Will Robinson, EBVS® European Specialist and RCVS Specialist in Small Animal Surgery, while anaesthetic was monitored by our specialist-led anaesthesia team in a truly multi-disciplinary approach.

Initially, Oreo had been referred to us for treatment after the adrenal mass was picked up incidentally during an ultrasound after his owners noticed he was getting tired before eventually collapsing.

Following his referral, swift action was required as a CT scan showed the mass was invading into a nearby blood vessel, and Oreo’s blood pressure was also increasing.

Due to the size and location of the mass, along with Oreo’s advancing years, the team decided a keyhole procedure was the best course of action rather than a more intrusive operation.

Erika explained: “The advanced surgery involved four small incisions, 1-2cm long, on the side of Oreo’s abdomen to allow passage of a camera and three instruments.

“The mass could be successfully removed through the keyhole approach, avoiding a large incision into the abdomen as is normal for standard surgery.”

Such was the success of the operation that Oreo was able to return home to his grateful owners the day after surgery. He has been recovering well and been able to enjoy short walks with his brother, Crumble.

Oreo’s owner Marie Herbert White, who lives near Evesham in Worcestershire, and recently lost another of her much-loved labradors to cancer, said: “Oreo has been part of our family since he was seven weeks old.

“Given his age and the location of the mass, we weren’t sure we wanted to put him through an operation. If keyhole hadn’t been an option, I’m not sure we would have gone ahead.”

Erika added: “We are delighted the procedure was a success and that Oreo is making a speedy recovery at home with his brother.”

Oreo, a black labrador, resting on a sofa at home. His side is shaved and he has dressings over the site of his surgery.

SPECIALIST EMERGENCY AND CRITICAL CARE BOOST FOR WILLOWS

Posted on 29 December 202213 February 2023 by Samantha Macdonald

Our new emergency and critical care specialist here at Willows in Solihull has spoken of the need for fast action but cool heads in dealing with emergency cases.

Fernanda Camacho is a member of our specialist-led Emergency and Critical Care (ECC) service and just qualified as a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care.

She has now given a graphic insight into life inside the ECC service, explaining: “Emergency situations are usually very hands-on types of cases initially and then develop into complex, critical care cases which require ongoing help in ECC.

“You need to be able to cope with the fast pace of the emergency room, the need for quick decision-making and have the ability to multi-task calmly and efficiently.

“It means ECC is a very demanding environment, but it is also a very rewarding speciality, too.

“I still remember my very first case of severe septic shock (a life-threatening condition) and my first case on mechanical ventilation (life support).

“I was a young intern but they are still the most memorable cases as both made me realise how much I love this discipline.

“We spend a lot of time with our patients because they are very sick, and each case occupies a special place in our hearts because they are in our care for so long.

“Seeing them improve and recover is very satisfying but even when things don’t go well, we know we absolutely did our maximum to help those pets.”

Fernanda will be able to help even more now, after recently earning prestigious specialist status.

She added: “Becoming a specialist has been a long journey that started six years ago, and it is by far the biggest achievement in my professional career.

“I celebrated by having dinner with friends, followed by a lot of tears on the telephone with my family and friends in different parts of the world.

“Now, I have a new focus and that is on building the ECC service at Willows alongside our head of service, Poppy Gant. It’s a great project and an exciting challenge.”

Willows’ clinical director Jon Wray has been quick to acknowledge and applaud Fernanda’s elevation to specialist.

He said: “I’m delighted Fernanda has passed her examinations and is now a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care. “Huge congratulations to Fernanda for a thoroughly well-deserved achievement. It’s brilliant news and everyone at Willows is thrilled.”

TINY PUPPY’S HUGE LIFE-CHANGING SURGERY

Posted on 15 December 202213 February 2023 by Samantha Macdonald

A dachshund puppy born with a defective palate is now all smiles after life-changing surgery here at Willows in Solihull.

The miniature wire-haired dachshund, called Frieda, was just three months old when she began suffering from recurring infections in her nose and breathing difficulties, resulting in several courses of antibiotics.

Little Frieda was also struggling to eat and drink so was referred to our team for specialist care.

Our head of soft tissue surgery Chris Shales operated to rectify Frieda’s problem and “worked a miracle” according to thankful owner William Russell.

William, who lives in Oxfordshire with partner Claudia Heidebluth and their baby daughter Leonora, said: “Willows confirmed Frieda was suffering from soft palate hypoplasia and explained the problem with clarity.

“They said her soft palate was completely undeveloped on one side, causing food and mucus to get stuck and become infected. She also had a defective tonsil and her tongue was tethered on one side.

“We were greatly saddened. Frieda was so strong and, otherwise, such a happy and loving dog.

“Willows also managed our expectations, making it clear an operation on Frieda might not be able to solve this difficult problem.

“Naturally, we were very worried. Whilst hopeful, we also prepared for the worst, knowing she could not spend a life on antibiotics.

“However, the operation was a success, and soft tissue surgeon Chris Shales worked a miracle.

“He extended her palate by two centimetres on the side where it had not grown. He also removed the defective tonsil and freed her tongue so it could move properly.

“We’re so grateful. Chris did a stunning job and handled Frieda with utmost professionalism and kindness.

“His knowledge and experience enabled him to solve a difficult problem. We also hope it has advanced the understanding of the defect, so others can now benefit, too.”

Frieda the dachshund puppy in the arms of her owner

Chris, an EBVS and RCVS specialist in small animal surgery, said: “Frieda is a lovely little dog and was a fantastic patient.

“Soft palate hypoplasia is not very common and can be quite debilitating depending on the extent of the deformity.

“In Frieda’s case, there were multiple abnormalities in the area that had combined to cause her clinical signs. We spent a little time assessing the details of the anatomy to understand her anatomy and then addressed each abnormality in turn.

“We have been thrilled with Frieda’s recovery and are not surprised to see how photogenic she is in these images!”

WILLOWS GOES GREEN WITH TOP ENVIRONMENTAL AWARD

Posted on 14 December 202214 December 2022 by Samantha Macdonald

The team here at Willows are delighted to have earned prestigious recognition for our outstanding efforts to create an environmentally-friendly workplace.

We have recently received a Green award from Investors in the Environment (iiE), the national accreditation scheme for businesses working to reduce their carbon footprint.

The Green award is iiE’s highest accolade and is awarded to companies which have made significant reductions in energy use and waste, along with increases in efficiency, recycling and sustainability.

Following our recent £35,000 investment in a deluxe compressor and state-of-the-art oxygen generator system, we have now received the iiE’s top accolade just a year after earning a silver award from the scheme.

Other measures we have adopted and introduced as part of our work with the iiE include switching all lighting to LED energy-saving lights by the end of 2021, creating new waste streams and reducing single-use items, such as saving 4,000 surgical hats from going to landfill by providing all clinical team members with washable hats.

The commitments made by the team have seen significant results, with an eight per cent overall drop in electricity usage across the hospital, a seven per cent fuel reduction and a 12 per cent rise in recycling with the hospital now creating 14 tonnes a year of recycling.

David Hindley, facilities manager at Willows, has helped lead our ongoing eco-friendly work as part of the our ‘Green Giants’ group.

He said: “We’re all absolutely delighted to have achieved this prestigious Green award from the iiE and I’m over the moon the team’s hard work and dedication to creating a more environmentally friendly hospital has been recognised.

“As part of our commitment to the environment, our Green Giants group is continually looking at how we can reduce our carbon footprint.

“The most recent action was the investment in a state-of-the-art oxygen generator system, which will enable us to not only reduce our carbon footprint courtesy of no longer requiring a HGV delivery up to four times a week, but it will also support the future-proofing of our hospital by ensuring we are no longer reliant on external suppliers for deliveries of oxygen.

“As well as this major investment, we have made wide-ranging and continuous changes across the hospital which have resulted in a significant reduction in our environmental impact.”

Toby Gemmill, managing director at Willows, said: “We are very happy to have been awarded Green status by iiE, their highest award for environmental advances in business.

“To receive such high praise is fantastic news and a real testament to the important changes our team have introduced to cut our carbon footprint and improve our efficiency.

“Well done to Dave, our ‘Green Giants’ and the whole team for driving this. To achieve such a successful outcome has taken a truly united effort, with every member of the team playing their part to earn this recognition.

“We are now already looking at new ways to make further improvements to build on this award.”

Ellie West, environmental sustainability lead at Linnaeus, was quick to congratulate Willows for being the fourth Linnaeus practice to achieve the coveted Green iiE award.

She said: “Huge congratulations to Willows, Dave and the Green Giants team on this very well deserved Green award. I am incredibly proud of everyone there for their tireless commitment to implementing eco-friendly measures over a prolonged period of time and this recognition is just reward for their dedication.”

Category: News