July 22 Advanced Imaging

Despite the blood transfusion, the PCV did not improve, which was not expected.

Additional laboratory results were also beginning to provide more information. Kidney function appeared relatively reassuring on the blood chemistry, while low blood protein and other abnormalities raised questions about liver function and the effects of prolonged systemic illness.

The differential diagnosis continued to broaden. There was a concern for liver flukes (A parasitic flatworms that infect the liver, gallbladder, or bile ducts and can also spread to other organs, including the lungs), it is very difficult to diagnose, so her medical team started to treat for parasites just in case.

Later that day, Patient 26-519 underwent her first CT scan.

CT imaging provides substantially more anatomical detail than conventional radiographs and allows specialists to examine her lungs, kidneys, liver and other internal structures more closely.

The procedure was performed with sedation and oxygen support, and she returned to Ojai Raptor Center without incident.

Specialist review identified small focal abnormalities in the lungs. These could potentially be associated with bacterial or fungal disease, although the imaging alone could not determine their cause.

The kidney and liver appeared considerably more normal on CT than had initially been suspected from the radiographs, helping the veterinary team narrow the list of possible problems.

Treatment was adjusted again as new information became available.