Page 10 - Stuart Expsoure - November '24

Page 10, Stuart Exposure

tip Of tHe tail

Kidney Insufficiency postpone, or resolve uremia, to ensure the pet experiences the veterinarians. Another treatment option is fluid therapy, either

best possible quality of life. Azotemia associated with chronic subcutaneous fluids or intravenous fluids. Subcutaneous fluids,
kidney insufficiency may not be reversible. which are placed under a pet’s skin, can be used at home or
The kidneys perform several important functions: in the clinic to help maintain hydration; subcutaneous fluids
1.) Filtering waste products, primarily urea and creatinine; can be utilized long-term to help with quality of life. Some
2.) Regulating electrolytes, including sodium, potassium, pets will benefit from subcutaneous fluids up to several times
phosphorus, and calcium; a week, while others may need fluids less often. Intravenous
3.) Producing erythropoietin, which helps stimulate the fluids are usually reserved for pets who need more aggressive
bone marrow to produce red blood cells; fluid therapy. Some pets with chronic kidney insufficiency may
4.) Producing renin, which helps control blood pressure; have blood pressure issues, and these pets may benefit from
5.) Producing and concentrating urine. blood pressure medications. Depending on the chronicity and
When kidney function begins to decline, waste products severity of kidney insufficiency, pets can experience anemia.
accumulate in the blood, electrolyte imbalances occur, anemia If this occurs, medication may be needed to help correct the
can develop, blood pressure problem may occur, and urine anemia.
concentration decreases. Chronic kidney insufficiency is a common disease in older
Chronic kidney insufficiency is one of the most common Clinical signs of chronic kidney insufficiency can be vague animals; however, pets can live with a good quality of life for
diseases affecting older pets, especially cats. Many causes and may mimic other diseases. The most common symptoms many years after diagnosis with proper management. Annual
exist for chronic kidney insufficiency, with age-related kidney usually noted are increased thirst and increased urination. labwork may reveal indications of chronic kidney insufficiency
deterioration being one of the more common causes. Chronic Other symptoms may include decreased appetite, vomiting, well before a pet shows clinical signs. Please check with your
kidney insufficiency indicates that a condition called azotemia weight loss, and poor hair coat. These symptoms may be slowly veterinarian to see if your pet is due for his or her labwork.
has been present for months or years. When azotemia is present, progressive, and, if mild, may go unnoticed by a pet owner. Established in 1981, Palm City Animal Medical Center is
toxins have accumulated in the bloodstream, and labwork will Labwork may reveal abnormalities before obvious clinical dedicated to providing the best possible care for your pets. With
indicate abnormalities. Approximately 70 percent of kidney signs are evident, which may allow treatment to be initiated focuses on compassionate care in surgery, physical therapy and
function must be lost before labwork abnormalities are noted. sooner and provide the best quality of life for the pet. rehabilitation, preventative medicine, extensive diagnostics,
Azotemia does not necessarily mean a pet is experiencing a Several treatment options can be utilized to help pets with and emergency service, Palm City Animal Medical Center
reduced quality of life. The term uremia means that the patient chronic kidney insufficiency maintain a good quality of life. combines exceptional medical care with a caring philosophy
is azotemic and also demonstrating clinical signs of kidney Special prescription diets are one of the best main long-term for pets and their owners. For more information, call (772)
disease, which may be reducing their quality of life. The goal treatments to help maintain appropriate protein levels and 283-0920, visit www.palmcityanimalmedicalcenter.com or find
in treatment of chronic kidney insufficiency is to prevent, certain electrolyte levels. These diets are available through us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PalmCityAnimalClinic.

taMpa GeneRal news

TGH First In Tampa acupuncturists, physical therapists and pain interventionists and neurosurgery, meaning the academic health system
Region Offering Same-Day to determine the next course of action. “First, we try as is among the top 10 percent of hospitals in the nation.
many nonsurgical treatment options as possible,” he said. Additionally, the TGH Neuroscience Institute is one of the
Spinal Surgery “In most cases, surgery is usually a last resort.” top neurology and spine programs in the U.S., according
“So far we’ve successfully treated athletes, soldiers to Becker’s Hospital Review’s 2023 list of “Hospitals and
Tampa General Hospital (TGH) is the first health system and even patients in their 90s,” said Kim. “Collaborating Health Systems with Spine and Neuroscience Programs to
in the Tampa region to treat a range of spine diseases with Tampa General’s anesthesia team, we’ve been able Know.”
and conditions via minimally invasive endoscopic spine to perform awake spine surgeries with minimal sedation, Since 2020, Tampa General has been creating a
surgery. Patients at the academic health system’s TGH similar to colonoscopies. This is a game-changer for framework of state-of-the-art services for patients in
Neuroscience Institute experience same-day discharge, patients usually deemed too sick for general anesthesia.” Palm Beach and Martin counties with the expertise and
quicker recovery, minimal downtime and less pain. Kim notes that patients with ruptured discs typically innovation of a preeminent academic health system.
The procedure involves the surgeon inserting the recover the same day, whereas those with more chronic Patients treated by Tampa General East Coast physicians
endoscope through a tiny incision about the size of a pencil illnesses recover in the span of a few days up to a week. enjoy several benefits, including access to minimally
tip to access an affected area, such as a herniated disc. The TGH Neuroscience Institute surgeons perform more invasive and complex surgeries that utilize state-of-the-
device is then guided to the spine to capture video that’s minimally invasive spine surgeries than any other hospital art technologies. Tampa General is the primary teaching
projected onto a monitor. The surgeon can also insert in the region, including endoscopic laser spine surgeries, affiliate of the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine
miniature tools through the endoscope to help perform microdiscectomies, laminectomies, foraminotomies and and is one of the largest hospitals in the nation.
procedures to treat bone spurs, chronic pain, degenerative lumbar fusions. For more information about the minimally invasive
disc disease, facet joint syndrome, herniated discs, sciatic Tampa General is ranked by U.S. News & World Report endoscopic spine surgery offered at Tampa General, visit
nerve compression and spinal stenosis. 2024/25 as a high performing hospital for neurology TGH.org/MinimallyInvasiveSpineSurgery.
According to Dr. Patrick
Kim, an endoscopic spine
surgeon at Tampa General,
and an assistant professor
in the Department of
Neurosurgery and Brain
Repair at the USF Health
Morsani College of Medicine
at the University of South
Florida, there are multiple
benefits to this technique,
including a nearly zero
percent chance of wound
infection. “The end result is Dr. Patrick Kim Life moves fast—
smaller incisions, less tissue

disruption and quicker patient recovery time after surgery,” prepare for the unexpected
he said.
Dr. Kim is the first fellowship-trained endoscopic with Accident Insurance.
surgeon in the Tampa region. He received his medical
degree from LSU New Orleans and completed his
residency at the University of Mississippi Medical Center.
Subsequently, he pursued a fellowship in endoscopic
spine surgery at the University of Washington Harborview
Medical Center. “I’ve witnessed the progression from We’re here to help.
traditional open surgery to minimally invasive spine
surgery,” he said. “The endoscopic spine surgery represents
the pinnacle of that progression.” Accident insurance complements your Florida Blue Health Plan. Call to learn more
Tampa General’s Spine Neurosurgery Program leverages about insurance plans from USAble Life.
a multidisciplinary team of physicians who specialize in the
treatment and management of degenerative cervical and M&A Insurance and Financial Services Inc.
lumbar conditions, and complex spinal deformities.
How do you know if you’re a candidate for spine surgery? 561-440-9940
Kim said that 80 percent of the U.S. adult population
experiences lower back pain or neck pain in their lifetime. M&A Insurance and Financial Services Inc. is an Independent Broker of Florida Blue.
Florida Blue is an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Supplemental, Life, and Disability products are offered by USAble Life. USAble Life is an independent company
“As a surgeon, my role is to distinguish whether surgery is and operates separately from Florida Blue.
a patient’s best option,” he said. Kim works closely with 22L-USAL-0872 112941 1222
the TGH Neuroscience Institute’s team of chiropractors,