Sandy’s long journey to health

We received this note from a grateful pet owner whose dog has been through a lot and today is doing great!

“Sandy has been through so much in the last year and a half, but he is still a happy dog who enjoys life. Sandy was diagnosed with diabetes and during the week we began his insulin with his family vet, he progressively got sicker. He was severely dehydrated and his blood sugar was in the 800’s. ‘He,’ to quote the emergency vet that we saw, ‘was on a slippery slope.’ I think he was in the ICU for 3 days. I am very grateful for the care he got, because he is with us today. Several months after that, Sandy started having strokes. He had three mini-strokes and a big one. He was admitted for supportive care after the big one by Dr. Logan, since he couldn’t eat or drink or walk. Gradually, he got better. His walks were his therapy. We did not know if it would keep happening, and each time the strokes got a little worse. Dr. Logan told us that his thyroid wasn’t working well, so we began to give him a supplementary hormone. He had another mini-stroke and he started taking medication to stop the strokes. Thanks to Dr.Guinan and Dr. Logan and all of the vet techs that cleaned him and cared for him, he pulled through again.

“Now he is getting laser therapy to help with his arthritic back. Dr. Pam Levin has been so kind to us and supportive when there was a problem or I had a question. It is great that Sandy walks into NorthStar VETS so confidently after all that has endured; on some level he knows that everyone is there to help.

“Dr. Hammer is managing his chronic diseases and checks to make sure he is as healthy as he can be. I know that she is always available via email and appreciates some of the silly photos or videos I send her.

“Dr. Logan has been a positive force during all of this. She has such a wonderful attitude and has said several times “Let’s just give him a chance and see what happens.” When it seemed hopeless, all of the vets involved in Sandy’s care were supportive and caring and gave him a chance to live and still enjoy his life.

“We are very grateful for the care the veterinarians at NorthStar VETS have given Sandy. Each time I bring him, the front desk staff and even the pharmacist marvel at how he looks.”

-Sue

Justin Guinan, DVM, DACVIM
Dr. Guinan is a native of Westchester County in New York. He obtained his Bachelor’s of Science degree in Biology from Syracuse University in 2000. He then ventured to Prince Edward Island, Canada, where he received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 2005. In 2006, Dr. Guinan returned to New York for a one year general internship followed by an additional one year specialty internship in internal medicine and neurology at Long Island Veterinary Specialists which was completed in 2007. From Long Island he moved to the Animal Medical Center in New York City to complete his residency in internal medicine in July of 2009. He joined our team in August 2009. Dr. Guinan has particular interests in hematology, kidney diseases and all forms of diagnostic endoscopy procedures. Outside of work he enjoys baseball, football, hiking and striving to fill his iPod with music.

Kimberly Hammer, VMD, DACVIM
Dr. Hammer graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 2000. She then spent a year at Mississippi State University for a small animal internship and then returned to UPENN for a 2-year residency in small animal internal medicine. She earned board certification from the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine in 2004. Dr. Hammer’s professional interests include endocrinology, hepatic and gastrointestinal disease, renal disease, and critical care medicine to name a few. Deeply committed to her patients, Dr. Hammer’s primary goal is to provide the very best patient care, both diagnostically and therapeutically. She joined the NorthStar VETS team in September 2007.

Melissa A. Logan, Ph.D, DVM, DACVIM (Neurology)
Dr. Logan was born and raised in nearby Bucks County, Pennsylvania. She received her Bachelor of Science degree from The Pennsylvania State University. After graduating, she spent a few years working as a veterinary assistant before applying to graduate school. Dr. Logan earned a Ph.D in Neurophysiology in 2003, where she studied mechanisms and treatment of acute spinal cord injury. After graduate school she attended Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine and graduated with her DVM in 2006. She stayed on at Purdue and completed a rotating internship in small animal medicine and surgery in 2007 and then completed her residency in Neurology in 2011. She is board certified in the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (Neurology). Her areas of interest include nerve and muscle disorders, spinal cord injury, as well as epilepsy. When she is not working, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends.

Pamela Levin, DVM, CVA, CCRT
Dr. Pam Levin is originally from New Hampshire. Pam earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science from the University of New Hampshire in 1992. She graduated from Ross University, School of Veterinary Medicine in 1998 after completing her senior clinical rotations at Oklahoma State University. Dr. Levin has practiced as a small animal general practitioner and emergency and critical care veterinarian in New York, New Jersey, California, and Massachusetts. Pam has served as Director of Emergency Medicine at a small animal referral and emergency hospital in Massachusetts. Dr. Levin received her Certification in Veterinary Acupuncture in 2009 through The International Veterinary Acupuncture Society and her Certification in Canine Rehabilitation Therapy in 2011 through the Canine Rehabilitation Institute. Prior to joining NorthStar VETS in 2011, Dr. Levin served as staff acupuncturist at a small animal referral and emergency hospital in New Jersey. Dr. Levin’s areas of interest include improving patient’s quality of life though pain management, therapeutic exercise, and noninvasive alternative therapies. She is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, New Jersey Veterinary Medical Association, American Academy of Veterinary Acupuncture, International Veterinary Acupuncture Society, American Association of Rehabilitation Veterinarians, and the International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management.

The information presented on this web site is not intended to take the place of your family veterinarian’s advice and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Discuss this information with your own veterinarian to determine what is right for your pet. All information is intended for your general knowledge only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. We can not and do not give you medical advice via this blog. The information contained in this online site and emails is presented in summary form only and intended to provide broad understanding and knowledge. The information should not be considered complete and should not be used in place of a visit, call, consultation or advice of your veterinarian. We do not recommend the self-management of your pet’s health problems.