August 5 Contrast CT and Bone Marrow Biopsy

August 5 was one of the most significant diagnostic days of Patient 26-519's hospitalization.

She was transported to a specialty veterinary hospital for a contrast CT scan and bone marrow biopsy.

Because these procedures required anesthesia, her veterinary team carefully prepared and monitored her throughout the process. She was intubated, supported during anesthesia and closely monitored during recovery.

Bone marrow was collected for cytologic examination.

Contrast material was then administered for the CT scan. Contrast imaging can help veterinarians better evaluate blood vessels, organ perfusion and abnormalities that may be difficult to identify on a non-contrast study.

Patient 26-519 recovered from anesthesia without complication and returned to Ojai Raptor Center.

The new CT provided both encouraging and concerning information.

Her lungs appeared improved compared with earlier imaging.

However, the study also identified significant thrombosis (blood clot formation), including involvement of one in the pectoral artery, (the major artery coming off of the heart, going into the pectoral (flight) muscle and an area near one kidney.

These findings substantially changed the medical picture.

The presence of significant thrombosis raised concern that Patient 26-519's illness was affecting more than one part of her body and could represent a serious systemic process.

The bone marrow sample provided another piece of the puzzle. It showed evidence that red blood cells were being produced, but the sample was limited and did not provide a complete explanation for why her circulating red blood cell level remained so low.

Additional samples and results were sent for specialist interpretation.