Mission | Overland Park Veterinary Emergency & Specialty’s Post

Today is #WorldMentalHealthDay! Prioritizing mental health is not a luxury—it's essential. Let’s break the stigma, seek support, and care for our minds just as we care for our patients. 💚 For mental health resources, visit: https://lnkd.in/gcgFW6xm

Happy #WellnessWednesday! Today, we would like to brief on hematomas! 🐾 What is a Hematoma? A hematoma is a localized swelling filled with blood, often seen in pets, particularly in the ears. It usually occurs when blood vessels rupture due to trauma or vigorous shaking. Causes can include ear infections, allergies, or injury. 📋Common Causes: Ear infections, scratching or shaking, allergies, trauma 💉Treatment Options: Draining the fluid, medications to reduce inflammation, or surgery in severe cases If your pet shows discomfort or swelling, contact your primary veterinarian or visit our 24/7 Emergency and Urgent Care service. We're here to keep your furry friends healthy and happy! 😻 #hemotoma #veterinarycare

Happy Monday! We want to kick off the week on a pawsitive note with the story of Ghost and Velcro. 😻 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- At Mission and Overland Park Veterinary Emergency & Specialty, we often witness incredible acts of compassion between humans and their pets. But occasionally, the compassion comes from one animal to another. This was the case with Ghost, a cat whose life was saved thanks to a blood transfusion from a very special donor—Velcro, one of our team members' cats. 🐱 Ghost's owner noticed she was acting unusually lethargic and uninterested in her favorite toys. After an initial visit to her regular veterinarian, Ghost’s blood work revealed some troubling signs. Her red blood cell count was dangerously low, a condition that can indicate a serious issue such as Immune-Mediated Hemolytic Anemia (IMHA) or Precursor Immune-Mediated Anemia (PIMA). These conditions can cause a cat’s immune system to mistakenly attack and destroy its own red blood cells. Given Ghost's rapid decline, her veterinarian recommended a blood transfusion to stabilize her until further diagnostics could be performed. 🏥 Ghost was transferred to our Overland Park hospital for more immediate care. Upon evaluation, her hematocrit (HCT) level, which measures the proportion of red blood cells in the blood, was only 10%—critically low. Ghost needed a transfusion and fast. Unfortunately, our hospital had no pre-packaged feline blood products available that matched her type. Ghost’s blood type, AB, is quite rare. Cats with type AB can receive type A blood, but a cross-match with our in-house blood bags was unsuccessful. With time running out, we knew we had to act quickly.🩸 That’s when Velcro, a team member's beloved cat, stepped up. Velcro was a perfect match for Ghost, and with his owner’s permission, we prepared him to donate the blood needed to save her life. Ghost’s transfusion was scheduled for later that evening, and thanks to Velcro’s life-saving donation, the procedure went smoothly. Ghost was closely monitored throughout the transfusion for any signs of an adverse reaction, but everything went as planned. By the next day, she showed signs of improvement—more alert and stable, thanks to Velcro’s generous gift. After the transfusion, Ghost’s owner could transfer her back to their regular veterinarian for further diagnostics and care. Her road to recovery isn’t over yet, but Ghost now has a fighting chance and is returning to her normal self thanks to the quick actions of our team and the incredible bond between two cats who may have never met but whose lives are forever connected.😻🥰 #veterinarymedicine #blooddonation

Happy #WorldTeachersDay! 🎉 At Mission and Overland Park Veterinary Emergency & Specialty, we believe that teaching is at the heart of veterinary excellence. 🩺 As a proud teaching hospital, we are dedicated to training the next generation of veterinary professionals through our residency, intern, and externship programs. Whether mentoring new veterinarians, providing Lunch and Learns to our veterinary community, or guiding students through hands-on learning, our team is passionate about sharing knowledge and advancing the future of veterinary medicine. 🐾👩⚕️👨⚕️ Here's to all the educators who inspire and teach us every day! 🌟 #careerdevelopment

📢 Registration for the fourth annual Midwest Veterinary Collaboration Conference is now open! Join us at the Overland Park Convention Center on Sunday, February 2, 2025. 🐾 Comprising 12 DVM lectures, 6 Technician lectures, and NEW to 2025, 6 GP Management lectures, there is something for all veterinary medicine personnel. Attendees will earn 6 Continuing Education credits for FREE! To register, visit https://lnkd.in/gPAFvpFA and click on the Midwest Veterinary Collaboration Conference tab. We can't wait to see everyone in 2025! 😻 #2025MVCC #veterinarymedicine #continuingeducation

Meet our Patients of the Month, Cooper and Flash! 🐕 Cooper came to OPVES's Emergency, Internal Medicine, and Surgery departments with severe health issues, including bladder inflammation, a gallbladder mucocele, and immune-mediated thrombocytopenia (ITP). His owners were concerned about recurring vomiting, shaking, and discomfort, leading them to seek specialized care. Medical Challenges: 🐾Gallbladder Mucocele: Mucus buildup in the gallbladder, risking rupture. 🐾Bladder Mass & Stones: Potential neoplasia and mineralization in the bladder. 🐾ITP: Low platelet count, managed with prednisone. Dr. Alex Portanova diagnosed Cooper with severe pancreatitis, azotemia, adrenal gland enlargement, and splenic nodules. After hospitalization and careful management, Cooper underwent surgery with Dr. Kim Aechlimann and Dr. Annie Marquiss to address his gallbladder and bladder issues. Despite challenges, the team successfully removed the gallbladder and bladder stones. Following intensive post-op care, Cooper stabilized and was sent home with a treatment plan. His resilience and his dedicated veterinary team have helped him recover, and he continues to do well under follow-up care. We are proud of Cooper’s progress and look forward to his visits! 🐶 Flash, a Shetland Sheepdog rescued by KC Sheltie Rescue, was brought into our ER at MVES after a backyard accident left him unable to bear weight on his right leg. Surgeon Dr. Eric Wilson diagnosed a fracture in his right heel bone (calcaneus) and performed surgery using a specialized plate to stabilize it. Flash recovered smoothly after surgery and is now healing at home with strict exercise restrictions and careful monitoring. He’s already feeling better, eating well, and enjoying some outdoor breaks. The team loved working with Flash and KC Sheltie Rescue. Let's send Flash healing vibes as he continues his recovery! ❤️🐾

Meet Eisengard!🐶 A sweet and friendly pup who visited our ER after having some tough times with his tummy. For the past six weeks, he’s been struggling with vomiting, especially after meals. Despite various treatments, including Cerenia and Metronidazole, Eisengards symptoms persisted, leading his owners to seek further help. 🐾 After thorough evaluations by ER veterinarian Dr. Mellissa Allen, including radiographs and blood work, Eisengard was referred to our Internal Medicine Specialist, Dr. Laura Grigsby. Dr. Grigsby recommended a treatment plan for gastroenteritis and esophagitis. Eisengard is now on medications like Omeprazole, Metoclopramide, and Sucralfate, and his food and water are elevated to help with her condition. Eisengard is a fighter, and his loving owners are doing everything to make sure he’s on the mend. If he doesn’t improve soon, a follow-up exam and possible GI scope will be the next steps. We’re all rooting for you, Eisengard! ❤️ #VetCare #VeterinaryMedicine

After being a part of the Mission team for over 30 years, all I can say is we truly care for our clients and our staff. Drop the Mike! boom

It's officially Fall! 🍁 🐾 Even with the fun activities and cooler weather, Autumn also brings new and serious pet toxins. Keep your pets safe and healthy this Fall season by understanding the potential hazards and signs of toxin ingestion. For the complete list of Fall pet toxins, please visit: https://lnkd.in/gg6S5-ci... ⚠If you suspect your pet has ingested anything toxic or hazardous, immediately call the Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 and bring them to our ER, where our veterinarians are available 24/7/365 to help! #PetToxins #fall2024 #veterinaryemergency

We are exited to welcome our newest Veterinary Social Work interns, Jadyn and Jessica to the team! 😻 The field of Veterinary Social Work (VSW) has grown in popularity as the human-animal bond is better understood and appreciated. Just as in human hospitals, veterinary social workers provide resources and emotional support throughout the difficult journey of managing sick, injured, or dying loved ones. Veterinary social workers also counsel and support the caring employees and veterinarians who work tirelessly to save the lives of beloved family pets, which can take a toll on their emotional and physical well-being. Our emergency and specialty hospitals are dedicated to educating people in the veterinary field, including master-level social work students from local universities. For this 24/25 academic year, we are happy to introduce Jadyn Myers from Washburn University and Jessica Baker from the University of Kansas. Both students strive to become licensed specialist clinical social workers (LSCSW) in Kansas. LSCSW licensure requires a four-year undergraduate degree, followed by two years of master-level classes, and lastly, 3,000 hours of supervision before taking the LSCSW clinical exam. Once licensed, 40 hours of continuing education are required for each biannual renewal. Achieving LSCSW status requires dedication to higher-level education excellence, ethical practices, and immeasurable personal growth. Tamara Finlen, LSCSW has been our VSW for three years, providing internship opportunities to students during their two-year master's program. Students learn skills to engage pet owners in conversation, help them manage their emotions, and provide much-needed resources while managing sick, injured, or dying pets. Students also learn counseling skills that help employees reduce burnout, improve emotional management, and enhance positive co-worker relationships. Counseling is available on-site at both hospitals in a non-judgmental and confidential setting. Fortunately, VSW services are complimentary to all employees, veterinarians, and pet owners. We are proud of our VSW Program success, and it is an honor to be recognized by local universities as a valuable learning opportunity. Welcome and thank you to Jadyn and Jessica for choosing Mission and Overland Park Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Hospitals as your internship experience! 🐾 #VSW #internshipprogram #lscsw