Meet Oreo, our brave Patient of the Month!

Oreo came to our hospital after his owners noticed that he had become lethargic, wasn’t moving much, and had started having inappropriate bathroom habits. Initially treated for arthritis with medications that helped for a short while, Oreo’s condition soon worsened. He became increasingly tired, and his owners had to bring food and water directly to him.

Upon arrival at OPVES, the ER team conducted blood work, which revealed elevated liver enzymes, suggesting a liver issue. Oreo also showed signs of a possible urinary tract infection (UTI), and abdominal radiographs raised concerns about other internal issues. After a thorough consultation, it was recommended that Oreo undergo further diagnostics, including abdominal ultrasound and supportive care. Oreo’s owners agreed to this plan, and he was admitted for close monitoring.

The abdominal ultrasound revealed some complex findings, including a dilated area near the pancreas, a small nodule near the adrenal gland, and a diffusely hyperechoic (bright) liver, all pointing toward potential conditions like triaditis (inflammation of the liver, pancreas, and intestines) or even neoplasia (cancer). While some of these areas were too risky to sample for further testing, a liver aspirate was performed to rule out more severe conditions like liver cancer and traditis. After several days in the hospital, Oreo’s condition improved slowly but steadily. He began eating again, a crucial step in his recovery. With his improvements, Oreo was discharged and continued receiving fluids and potassium supplements at home.

However, Oreo’s journey didn’t end there. Why he remained his active, playful self at home, his owner noted that he was continuing to lose weight and seemingly uninterested in food. Internal Medicine specialist Dr. Laura Grigsby conducted a second ultrasound revealing the nodule near his adrenal gland was, in fact, an aldosterone-secreting tumor. This was an important step in unraveling Oreo’s condition as aldosterone, when overproduced, can suck potassium from the body. This condition is more commonly seen in dogs and extremely rare in kitty cats. However, with this discovery, the team was able to understand Oreo’s condition in depth.

The plot thickened when Oreo began developing a slight tremor, a sign of a neurological issue caused by electrolyte imbalance. With this, Oreo was presented to our neurologist, Dr. David Weinstein. Oreo’s neuro consultation confirmed that the tumor near his adrenal gland was greatly affecting his potassium levels which led to his tremor. His electrolyte imbalance (including potassium and hypertension) was immediately addressed, and his previous symptoms resolved.

With his potassium increased, Oreo has been doing much better and showed signs of improvement at his most recent recheck! Throughout his journey, Oreo has proven to be a very tough patient, receiving ongoing outpatient therapies and careful monitoring of his kidney and liver function.

Oreo’s journey highlights feline medicine’s complexity and timely intervention’s importance. His case involved a multitude of diagnostic tests, treatments, and adjustments, but throughout it all, Oreo remained his friendly, handsome self. We are so proud of him and his dedicated family, who worked closely with our team to ensure he received the best care possible.

Oreo’s story reminds us of the power of perseverance, both in our patients and their loved ones. We are thrilled to recognize Oreo as our Patient of the Month and look forward to seeing him continue to thrive at home!

Overland Park Veterinary Emergency and Specialty is proud to have two internal medicine veterinarians on the team! Consultations with Dr. Alex Portanova and Dr. Laura Grigsby are available Monday-Friday. For more information on our internal medicine services, click HERE.