Emergency vets save poorly pet Pogo with rare and complex procedure

Vets in a Glasgow pet hospital have saved a cat from certain death using a rare and complex kidney bypass procedure.

Pogo’s devastated owner Janine McMahon feared the four-year-old would have to be put to sleep after being diagnosed with a potentially fatal organ blockage.

But Vets Now’s emergency team sprang into action and conducted a gruelling, but ultimately successful, four hour operation.

Surgeon Ana Marques used a state-of-the-art C-arm to capture images of Pogo’s kidneys in motion.

This technique, called fluoroscopy, allowed Ana to safely place implants that resolved the obstruction and repaired his injuries.

To everyone’s delight, the much-loved family pet is now almost fully recovered, a welcome relief ahead of Christmas for its owners.

“This happened totally out of the blue without any warning,” explained Janine, 53, a hairdresser from Bishopbriggs.

“My daughter Nieve noticed first that he just looked a bit sad and his ears were down. When he started staying under the table and not eating, I decided it was probably worth taking him to the vets, but I still didn’t expect it would be anything serious.

“You really wouldn’t have known to look at him as his coat was still shiny and he hadn’t lost any weight.”

© Vets Now

Janine took Pogo to her local daytime vet where he was given an anti-sickness injection as it was thought he may have eaten something that hadn’t agree with him.

But he went downhill fast overnight and, when she took him back the next day, blood tests triggered major alarm bells.

He was referred to the specialist unit in Glasgow, one of two Vets Now hospitals in the UK open 24 hours a day, seven days a week for pet emergencies and complex referrals.

Tests by emergency vet, Lara Brunori, quickly showed that Pogo had major kidney problems, with scans revealing they were both grossly abnormal.

His condition was so critical that putting him to sleep was discussed as the most humane option.

But surgeon Ana felt there was a chance to save Pogo.

“I knew they were so worried about the blood results and they had to try and stabilise him first,” said Janine.

“I was so upset and was finding it hard to take it in. When they said they thought there may be a chance with an operation, I just wanted to make sure he wouldn’t suffer.

“They told me they’d make sure he’d never be in pain, so I wasn’t ready to give up on him. I told them to do whatever they needed to do.”

The complex procedure had to be carried out as quickly as possible to give Pogo the best chance of survival.

Ana, who is a former senior lecturer in small animal surgery at Edinburgh University, said: “Poor Pogo was in a very bad way when he presented to our out-of-hours team.

“He was diagnosed with severe kidney issues and then transferred to our emergency and critical care team for further stabilisation.

“Once he was stable enough, we agreed with the owners to have SUBS, subcutaneous ureteral bypass system, placed for both kidneys.

“This is advanced surgery that is only possible because we now have a C-arm and surgeons with experience in what’s called interventional radiology.

“Pogo’s case was a perfect example of the Vets Now team in Glasgow working together between disciplines to save a life.

“I’m so pleased he came through it with flying colours and has gone on to make a remarkable recovery. He really is an adorable cat and was a dream patient.”

For Janine it was a case of waiting by the phone, praying she didn’t get an early call to indicate the surgery had been unsuccessful.

“We knew we could lose him as he might not strong enough to come through the anaesthetic and could also pick up an infection,” said Janine. “But the Vets Now team gave me every confidence and I knew he was in safe hands.

“It was amazing when they called as soon as he was coming round after the operation. He was in for a full week’s recovery and when we went to get him it was so emotional with a lot of tears.

“It was lovely to see him and get her back to his sister Lola. His fur’s growing back in and he’s doing great.

“Knowing that he might have had to be put to sleep if it hadn’t been for that operation, it’ll be brilliant to have him here for Christmas.”

Vets Now also offer an online video consultation service to make professional veterinary advice more easily available.

While the service is not suitable for life-threatening emergencies, experienced vets are available to discuss any worries or concerns pet owners might have.

If a pet needs an in-person follow-up appointment at any vet practice, Vets Now will refund the online consultation fee, so owners never pay twice.