Dr. Antal Rengei, veterinarian at the Kisállat-Ambulancia, reports on the lessons learned during the 4-day holiday emergency duty:
“Christmas is the most intimate family holiday, which most of us spend peacefully with our loved ones. Not so for a veterinarian—if the emergency duty happens to fall on them.
This time, it was my turn. It is both a rewarding and a thankless task. Still, it is a wonderful feeling to be able to help exactly at Christmas, making the holiday happiness more complete.
Among the many cases, there were several very instructive ones, a few of which I would like to share with the readers:
– gastric torsion (bloat);
– heartworm disease;
– feline urinary stones;
– rabbit: abnormal tooth wear.”
1) Christmas Eve, 10 p.m.
A desperate phone call: a 9-year-old Cane Corso (66 kg) became extremely restless about two hours after dinner, retching, with an increasingly distended abdomen.
Upon arrival at the clinic, it quickly became clear that this was gastric torsion, and emergency intervention was unavoidable. The owner faced an immediate decision: proceed with an expensive surgery, or help the dog pass away to end the suffering. They chose surgery.
But then came the question: had the dog been tested recently for heartworm, and was it receiving preventive treatment? No and no.
While placing the IV line, administering pain relief and mild sedation, and decompressing most of the gas from the stomach, we had a few minutes to run a heartworm test. Although no microfilariae (“baby worms”) were seen under the microscope, the rapid test showed an almost immediate positive result for adult female heartworm antigen. There was a high likelihood the dog was heartworm-positive.
Another dilemma for the owner: an elderly, heartworm-positive dog with gastric torsion—surgery or euthanasia?
After consulting family members at home, the decision was again: “Go ahead with the surgery!”—fully aware that the already significant surgical risk was multiplied by the presence of heartworm disease. The owner also accepted the possibility that, in the worst case, they might end up paying a large sum only to take home a body.
Furthermore, even if the surgery succeeded, additional diagnostics would be required to confirm or rule out heartworm disease, followed by another long and costly treatment, as heartworm disease is a zoonosis and a serious condition requiring intensive therapy.
Outcome: successful surgery. The very next day the dog arrived at the clinic almost running, the Elizabethan collar banging against the walls. The owners were overjoyed. Since then, heartworm treatment has been initiated and is progressing appropriately.
Lessons learned:
- Only one tablespoon of stuffed cabbage from the Christmas dinner was added to the dog’s regular food—yet this was enough to cause severe gas formation, ultimately leading to gastric torsion.
- Had the dog been screened earlier for heartworm and placed on regular monthly prevention, the enormous additional risk and extra costs associated with heartworm disease could have been avoided.
2) Afternoon call from 60 km outside Szeged
An elderly, large-breed dog adopted from the street years earlier had been having difficulty defecating for weeks. Another veterinarian had already examined the dog, but the owners wanted a second opinion. They accepted the emergency fee and came in.
Examination revealed a perineal hernia. It was not an immediate emergency, but surgery was definitely required after the holidays.
However, heartworm screening is mandatory before surgery at our clinic. The dog was microfilaria-positive and rapid-test positive—with over a 90% likelihood of heartworm disease.
Another painful decision for the owners: perineal hernia surgery with significantly increased risk due to heartworm disease, followed by a long and costly heartworm treatment—or euthanasia of the elderly dog. With heavy hearts, they chose the latter.
Lesson: During the 4-day holiday period, three more dogs from distant locations arrived—all heartworm-positive. More and more owners are realizing that prevention would have been far better than facing the disease. Among the over 3,000 dogs screened at our clinic, more than 10% tested positive.
3) Phone call: a cat with urinary stones
A previously treated cat was crouching over the litter box, straining to pass just a few drops of bloody urine. This could not be postponed until after the holidays.
Examination confirmed a tense, fist-sized bladder that could not be emptied. Anesthesia, IV fluids, catheterization, pain relief, antibiotics, and vitamins followed. Stone analysis was scheduled at the laboratory after the holidays.
Lesson: The previously effective urinary stone–preventive diet had been replaced with a cheaper food. The cost of emergency treatment likely exceeded many years’ worth of the price difference.
4) Rabbit cas
The rabbit had seemed unwell for some time, eating only small amounts, then suddenly deteriorated.
Examination revealed severe weight loss, with the lower molars overgrowing backward over the tongue. Anesthesia, energy-support IV fluids, vitamins, and tooth filing were performed. The prognosis was guarded, as by the time rabbits reach this condition, they are usually chronically malnourished and vitamin-deficient, having been unable to properly chew their food for weeks or months. Additionally, abnormal tooth alignment alters the jaw angle, meaning regular dental procedures will be required going forward.
Lesson: A rabbit’s natural diet consists of grass and hay. Their teeth are designed by nature for constant chewing, which ensures even wear of opposing teeth. The wisest approach is to follow nature’s guidance. The same dietary principle applies to guinea pigs as well.
The veterinarians of the Kisállat-Ambulancia always help pets with great dedication, whether during emergency duty or regular veterinary consultations.
Feel free to turn to them with confidence.
