Page 11 - Stuart Exposure - September '22

Stuart Exposure, Page 11

Cleveland CliniC martin health neWs

Relief For Severe Acid Chronic Reflux And Barrett’s Esophagus It uses the same injection method to elevate the lesion, but

Reflux, Gallstones And Other that can be diagnosed and treated endoscopically. It occurs instead uses a cautery knife to meticulously remove the lesion.
Chronic acid reflux is one of the most common conditions
Gallstones And More
Digestive Disorders when the lower esophageal sphincter opens spontaneously, The biliary system includes the liver, gallbladder, and
allowing food and stomach acid to back up into the esophagus. pancreas and a network of tubular structures called ducts that
Advanced Care For Better Digestive Health “ Ga st roesopha ge al connect them to the small intestine. Biliary diseases, such as
reflux disease (GERD), the gallstones, affect some 20 million women and men nationally.
Digestive health relies on a complex system of organs severe form of acid reflux, “Advanced imaging technology has expanded the visual
to turn the food we eat into the nutrients and energy can damage the esophagus field, which allows us to see far greater details of the upper
our bodies need to survive. Some of the most common and increase the risk of digestive tract and the intricate anatomy of the biliary
digestive complaints, such as acid reflux and gallstones, esophageal cancer, if left system,” says Dr. Ngo. “That’s important because if we can’t
occur in the upper digestive tract and the accessory organs untreated,” says Benjamin see it, we can’t treat it.”
that support digestion, including the liver, gallbladder and Ngo, M.D., a board certified EUS (Endoscopic Ultrasound) is an imaging test that
pancreas. Today advanced endoscopic techniques are used gastroenterologist with combines ultrasound technology with endoscopy. During
to care for patients with digestive disorders without open Cleveland Clinic Martin the exam, a special endoscope with ultrasound technology
surgery. Health. An estimated 20 at the tip is passed through the throat into the abdomen,
“During upper percent of people in the where the endosonographic images help visualize the bile
endoscopy, we pass a United States are believed to ducts, pancreas, gallbladder and liver. “EUS is particularly
flexible tube with a camera suffer from GERD. useful for the diagnosis and staging of pancreatic cancer,”
on the end down through a Cleveland Clinic Martin Health offers a number of notes Dr. Ngo.
patient’s throat to examine advanced treatments for acid reflux-related disorders, E RCP ( E ndo sc o pi c Re t r o g r a de
and treat conditions of including Barrett’s esophagus, which appears as lesions on Cholangiopancreatography) is another imaging test that
the esophagus, stomach the surface of the esophagus. uses an endoscope and X-rays to view an injectable dye
and the biliary system,” EMR (Endoscopic Mucosal Resection) is one of the as it travels through the pancreatic and bile ducts. ERCP
explains board certified most successful techniques for removing surface lesions on helps diagnose and treat gallstones, inflamed gallbladders,
gastroenterologist Tolga the esophagus. It involves raising the lesion, either with an bile duct blockages, pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer and
Erim, D.O., regional injection of a solution from underneath or with suctioning other conditions.
director of endoscopy for from above, and then removing it with a wire loop tool called To learn more about advanced care available for the
Cleveland Clinic Florida, which includes Cleveland Clinic a snare. upper digestive tract at Cleveland Clinic Martin Health,
Martin Health, Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital, ESD (Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection) is a newer visit ClevelandClinicFlorida.org/Digestive, or call (844)
and Cleveland Clinic Weston Hospital. technique that is used to remove a larger lesion in one piece. 630-4968 to schedule a consultation.

tip of the tail

Leptospirosis direct exposure to infected urine. Many animals are later to confirm a four-fold increase in antibody level.
responsible for spreading leptospirosis, including wildlife, Vaccination may interfere with blood testing, as vaccines
Leptospirosis is such as rodents, raccoons, and opossums, as well as farm stimulate the body to produce antibodies, which can result
an infectious disease animals, including cattle, pigs, horses, sheep, and goats. in a false-positive test result. Occasionally, a diagnosis
that can affect humans The clinical signs of leptospirosis are variable and of leptospirosis can be established through microscopic
and animals, including nonspecific. Common symptoms include fever, vomiting, examination of the urine. Unfortunately, this type of urine
dogs and, rarely, diarrhea, abdominal pain, anorexia, depression, weakness, test is not readily available to most animal hospitals, and
cats. Leptospirosis is and muscle pain. These symptoms usually occur within one the bacteria are only intermittently shed in the urine; so
caused by the bacteria, to two weeks of exposure, but can be as short as two days diagnosis in this manner can be difficult.
Leptospira, which is classified into subtypes called or as long as four weeks. Occasionally, infected animals do Treatment for leptospirosis relies on the use of
serovars. Currently, over 200 serovars of Leptospira have not exhibit any symptoms. In severe cases, kidney failure antibiotics, which are usually administered for two
been named. and/or liver failure can occur. Without proper treatment, weeks. Because of the risk of kidney failure, intravenous
Leptospirosis is most commonly spread through leptospirosis can be fatal. fluids are critical to ensure adequate blood flow to the
the urine of infected animals. Contaminated urine can Blood testing is usually needed to definitely diagnose potentially damaged kidneys. Prognosis varies and
enter water and soil, where it survives for weeks to leptospirosis. The most commonly used blood test will depends on the severity of organ damage. Survival rates
months. Leptospirosis can be contracted from drinking detect antibodies against Leptospira. While a positive are reported to be 80 to 90 percent for animals treated
contaminated water, through contact of skin or mucous diagnosis can occur with one test, oftentimes a second with appropriate antibiotics and fluid therapy. Potential
membranes with contaminated water or soil, or through antibody level will need to be checked two to four weeks long-term complications include chronic kidney failure
and chronic hepatitis.
Infected animals can shed the bacteria in their urine for
weeks or months, which is a serious concern for humans
and other animals that may be exposed to the urine. Strict
protocols should be utilized to prevent the spread of this
disease, including wearing protective clothing and using
proper disinfecting techniques. These protocols should
be practiced at the animal hospital where the infected
animal is being treated, as well as at the home where the
infected animal lives.
Fortunately, for dogs, vaccines are available for the
prevention of leptospirosis. The best vaccine contains
four Leptospira serovars. Vaccines do not provide 100
percent protection against leptospirosis known serovars,
and the vaccines do not completely cross-protect against
all serovars. Vaccination does reduce urine shedding of
the bacteria, which is important to controlling the spread
of the disease. This and preventing the disease is why it
is important to have your canine vaccinated yearly against
leptospirosis.
Established in 1981, Palm City Animal Medical Center
is dedicated to providing the best possible care for your
pets. With focuses on compassionate care in surgery,
physical therapy and rehabilitation, preventative medicine,
extensive diagnostics, and emergency service, Palm City
Animal Medical Center combines exceptional medical
care with a caring philosophy for pets and their owners.
For more information, call (772) 283-0920, visit www.
palmcityanimalmedicalcenter.com or find us on Facebook
at www.facebook.com/PalmCityAnimalClinic.