Fall 2024

Breath of Fresh Air

To call the new ventilator in the Hixson-Lied Small Animal Hospital “state-of-the-art” may not do it justice. At least that’s the opinion of Dr. April Blong, clinical associate professor and a clinician in the small animal hospital’s Emergency Services unit. “One of the coolest things the ventilator has is an entire new mode of ventilation called NAVA or neurally adjusted ventilatory assist,” Blong said. “It can ‘sense’ the signals from the brain to the diaphragm of the patient, allowing the ventilator to match the exact respiratory rate and breath size the patient needs in real time.

Hope and Hazel: Two Little Fighters

Two puppies recently underwent heart surgery at the Hixson-Lied Small Animal Hospital which has greatly enhanced their lives. Hazel, a Cockapoo, and Hope, a Schipperke/Pomeranian mix, came to the College of Veterinary Medicine facility from Critter Crusaders in Cedar Rapids, an organization that provides advanced medical care for homeless, sick and injured pets in Iowa. Hazel was diagnosed with a serious heart condition known as patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). PDA is a congenital heart defect that results in abnormal blood flow between the heart and lungs. “If untreated, this condition can lead to congestive heart failure and a significantly shortened lifespan,” said Dr. Kimberly Spartz, veterinary cardiology resident at Iowa State. “Unless there are other abnormalities, the prognosis is normal with surgery.”