- Joined
- Dec 2, 2004
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OK, so the patient was LittleMissPsychDoc's hamster--but it survived long enough to make it to the "unit".
I was summoned to LMPDs room with a concern that said rodent was dead. Physical exam revealed weak vital signs, shallow respirations, but very poor responsiveness. (GCS maybe 5, just a guess...) Subject makes no effort to right self when placed on back. Based on my clinical judgment that a veterinary consultation would be needlessly costly (as well as humiliating to OPD), an attempt at resuscitation was inititated. Patient was gently warmed with body heat, massaged vigorously, and administered sucrose solution via dropper. Patient responded to latter with vigorous sucking, accepted 5-10 mls of solution and rose unsteadily to 4 limbs. Later appeared to be ambulating normally, accepting light meal, and initiating po hydration. Nocturnal activity was reported by LMPD.
24 hours later however, the patient was found obtunded in its living quarters. Respirations shallow and agonal. Nares and extremities dusky in color. Oral rehydration was again offered, but patient did not respond. Subsequent check 3 hours later revealed patient in fetal position in its feeding dish, negative vital signs, noticable rigor.
Ah well---you know that most of these codes just do not end well...
Now to my more experienced role as a grief counselor...
I was summoned to LMPDs room with a concern that said rodent was dead. Physical exam revealed weak vital signs, shallow respirations, but very poor responsiveness. (GCS maybe 5, just a guess...) Subject makes no effort to right self when placed on back. Based on my clinical judgment that a veterinary consultation would be needlessly costly (as well as humiliating to OPD), an attempt at resuscitation was inititated. Patient was gently warmed with body heat, massaged vigorously, and administered sucrose solution via dropper. Patient responded to latter with vigorous sucking, accepted 5-10 mls of solution and rose unsteadily to 4 limbs. Later appeared to be ambulating normally, accepting light meal, and initiating po hydration. Nocturnal activity was reported by LMPD.
24 hours later however, the patient was found obtunded in its living quarters. Respirations shallow and agonal. Nares and extremities dusky in color. Oral rehydration was again offered, but patient did not respond. Subsequent check 3 hours later revealed patient in fetal position in its feeding dish, negative vital signs, noticable rigor.
Ah well---you know that most of these codes just do not end well...
Now to my more experienced role as a grief counselor...