We always have the most interesting cases here at ASEC.

Here are just a few examples:

Meet Charlie

She was bitten on her right hind leg by a brown recluse spider in May of 2011 while she was boarding. Her skin immediately began to slough off, until the wound extended from her groin to her tarsus (ankle). For the next 15 months she was treated by several different veterinary hospitals. These veterinarians placed bandages and were able to save her leg and avoid amputation. Unfortunately, Charlie had a large, full thickness skin wound that would not heal with conservative management. In August of 2012, Charlie was seen at ASEC, where it was recommended that a skin grafting procedure be performed. The team of doctors would take some skin from her chest area and use it to patch the missing areas. There was a 50% chance of success with the procedure and failure would mean amputation. Charlie’s mom scheduled the procedure for the next day.

On the day of the procedure, Dr. Gill removed large areas of excess skin from the chest area and grafted them to the areas where it was needed.  The grafting process was complete.

For the next 10 days, Charlie came in every other day for bandage changes. When it came time to take out the sutures, everything looked great and was healing nicely.

Today Charlie is back to normal. The hair has regrown nicely and she now looks like she is wearing UGG™ boots (since we transplanted skin from her chest area, the “chest hair” that has regrown on her leg is longer than normal leg hair).

Pacemaker Placement in a Bunny Rabbit

Meet Petals, a 6 year old bunny, who presented to ASEC after she had a weird episode at home, was non-responsive and was then taken to her regular vet, who recommended she be brought to ASEC. Dr. Cat Williams performed a cardiac ultrasound on Petals and diagnosed her with a high grade second degree atrioventricular block and paroxysmal third degree (complete) AV block with slow junctional and ventricular escape rhythms (variable) that ranged from 40 to 70 bpm. In normal words, she needed surgery and a pacemaker placed! Petals’ owners consented to surgery and the pacemaker procedure was performed by Dr. Cat Williams and Dr. Kristine Yee. Petals recovered uneventfully and did very well in the hospital.

Petals has been in to ASEC twice since her surgery for recheck examinations. Petals’ owner reports that she is doing well and is more active than ever.

Saving A Kitten Named Virgil

Virgil Before

Virgil After

Meet Virgil, a cuddly 6-month old kitten. Virgil presented to ASEC after being found by a Good Samaritan in a parking structure. Virgil had obvious facial trauma (his nose had been almost completely torn off) and he was unwilling to bear any weight on his right hind leg (later discovered to be a right tibial fracture). The Good Samaritan agreed to pay for Virgil’s surgery to repair his nose and the fracture.

Even with the reconstructive surgery, there was a chance that Virgil would need additional surgeries (if the skin flap did not heal) and the potential for long-term nasal issues was discussed as a possibility with his new owner.

An external fixator and nasal reconstructive surgery was performed by Dr. Mary Somerville.

Virgil came in for scheduled rechecks and as of 6 weeks later, Virgil had the external fixator removed and the fractures are healed. His nasal reconstruction was a complete success and no issues have been reported!

Virgil now has the best home and is ready to play and be a kitten again.

If you have an interesting case that was treated at ASEC and you would like it featured on this page, or our ASEC Facebook page, please email it@asecvets.com for more information.