Kyla is a native Cedar Rapidian who worked in the human optometric field for many years before deciding on a career change to work with animals. She went back to school at Kirkwood in 2013 and graduated from the veterinary technician program in 2015. She grew up with many critters including fish, dogs, hermit crabs, horses, guinea pigs, rabbits, birds, frogs, turtles, snakes, and even tarantulas. She has always had a deep respect and love for all creatures great and small. Kyla and her husband, Matt, are avid travelers and have visited nearly all 50 states, numerous countries and six out of seven continents. They share their home with two senior dogs: Izzy, a 15-year-old Maltese/Pomeranian mix, and Gidget, a 14-year-old Papillon/Jack Russell terrier mix. When she’s not spending quality time with her pups, Kyla’s other hobbies include pollinator-friendly gardening, hiking/tent camping at our national parks, playing the guitar, drawing, reading, adding to her extensive penguin collection, and enjoying culinary and wine tastings. Meet Pete Hospita
Leo Is On the Mend
Leo is a very sweet 4-year-old lab mix. In January, he presented for a routine annual wellness exam with Dr. Green and appeared to be a very healthy and happy boy on the outside. Unfortunately, Leo’s annual heartworm test had returned positive. After running an additional blood test to confirm a positive result, Dr. Green and Leo’s owners were eager to get him started on a heartworm treatment protocol to try to save Leo from this serious and potentially fatal disease. After testing positive, Dr. Green and her team re-evaluated Leo and performed baseline bloodwork and chest X-rays to determine if the heartworms had affected his lungs. His X-rays showed some mild changes in his lungs likely correlated with his heartworm disease, but we were able to proceed with treatment since he was not experiencing clinical signs. He was also started on an antibiotic to eliminate a type of bacteria calledWohlbachia, which is commonly transmitted with the heartworms. After we confirmed that Leo was otherwise healthy, Dr. Green and her team proceeded with heartworm treatment. Leo was hospitalized overnight and received IV fluids and two injections of a medication to kill the heartworms. Leo was also started on a course of steroids to help with inflammation associated with the heartworms dying. Although Leo has a long road full of rest and relaxation, his owners are dedicated to making sure their sweet boy is healthy inside and out. Heartworm disease is caused by a bloodborne parasite that can be passed to our pets from mosquito bites. The parasite can form adult worms in a dog’s heart and pulmonary vessels causing cough, shortness of breath, weakness, exercise intolerance, and in severe cases, or if left untreated, can cause congestive heart failure. Thankfully, heartworm disease is preventable by using a reputable heartworm preventative regularly year-round. Leo is doing well at home after his injections and his owners have started him on once monthly heartworm prevention to make sure this doesn’t happen again. Dr. Green is looking forward to seeing Leo and his owners in six months to recheck a heartworm test.
Gourmet Cat Salmon Patties
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