Happy Tails

Welcome to Dr. McDonnell's "Happy Tails" section!  We would love to add more happy tails and encourage you to contact us at happytails@drjaymcdonnell.com to submit your update, story or just tell us how your pet is doing.

I have been dealing with Dr. McDonnell for several years now for my BAER testing on my litters of pups. His staff as well as himself are warm and loving to my pups and extremely kind and generous to me. He took the time to show me how the procedure was done and explain all the paperwork so that I could explain it to my puppy people. I could not ask for a nicer vet family to work with! As long as Dr. McDonnell is around practicing I will continue to use him and only him.

Cindy Cook
Bluehill Kennels
www.bluehillacd.com

Mr. Woo is a female 4 year old ragdoll.  She has been having seizures since she was about 3 months old.  Dr. McDonnell did extensive testing to see if we could discover the cause or her seizures but all tests were negative.  Mr. Woo and Jay are good friends.  He works hard to find medicines that will lessen the severity of her seizures and still give her the quality of life a cat needs and deserves. 

Mr. Woo has a very sweet disposition.  She is lucky to have Dr. McDonnell in her life. 

Nina and Mr. Woo

Dear Dr. McDonnell,

Izak was 5 years old and in severe pain; he had difficulty walking and even standing.  We were introduced to Dr. McDonnell by our regular vet, Carol Lundquist, DVM.  We were very impressed that he would personally be there for Izak’s MRI.  Not only was he able to explain the results right away, but we

were also able to schedule surgery with very little delay.  On the day of surgery, Izak was already so comfortable with Dr. McDonnell that he never looked back at me as they walked down the hall together.  I knew I need not worry; he was in the very best of hands.  Because he is a visiting neurologist, I wasn’t sure how easy it would be to communicate with him after the surgery.  Again, I couldn’t have been more pleased.  In fact, Dr. McDonnell was more readily available than any human physician I have known!  There was never a time when I had a question or concern that he didn’t respond right away.  Aftercare was also simplified because he coordinated care with Dr. Lundquist.

It has not been quite 5 months yet, and already I feel like I have a new dog !  He is holding his head up high when we take our walks, and I even have to hustle to keep up with him.  We have worked hard helping Izak recover, but it has been worth every second.  He is eager, happy, and most of all, ‘young’ again.

Thanks so much for giving me back my ‘man’!!

Linda Nicholson

We want to thank Dr.McDonnell for taking such good care of our precious cat, Tuna.   Tuna, at 18 1/2, experienced some strange circling/urinating episodes that culminated in a major seizure.  Since she had never had such issues, we were extremely worried.  Dr. McDonnell was contacted by Tuna's regular veterinarian and after he examined Tuna, determined she needed an MRI and possibly a spinal tap to determine the cause of her problem.   Our biggest concern was having Tuna put under anesthesia at her age,, but Dr. McDonnell reviewed her medical records and concluded that Tuna was in extremely good health for her age so we proceeded with her tests.  Dr. McDonnell and his staff were very caring and compassionate during the testing.  No major issues were found, and Tuna is being treated with medications and is doing very well. 

We really appreciate the reassurance and regard for Tuna's well-being that Dr. McDonnell gave us.  She is very special to us and was consistently treated as such. 

Bob, Patty and Tuna Peacock

Meet Boomer Z.  He is a twelve year golden retriever who recently developed seizures.  Since starting his anticonvulants, he has been seizure free.  Boomer recently celebrated his 12th birthday and had a great time!!

Hi Dr. McDonnell,
 
I am sending you this email as an update about Scooby's (the dog with the bilateral vestibular disease and facial nerve paralysis) condition after almost a month without antibiotic.  He is doing well without major changes in his overall condition. His left side of the face shows some improvement (no more drooling, able to close partial the left eye). The right side is same like on his last follow up with you on May 18 (right eye half-closed). His balance is good and he has no difficulty running up and down the stairs. His appetite is good and he drinks water whenever he needs. He is very happy and back to his old routine (walks, barking, playing, chasing bunnies, chipmunks or squirrels in our backyard and, my favorite one, sticking his cute face on the window when he knows that we are back home).

We want to THANK YOU for your professionalism and care for our so much loved dog Scooby.   Have a great summer.

Best Regards,

Scooby, Elena & Adrian Munteanu

In December 2009 Titian developed neck pain and soon after neurological symptoms in his right front and back legs. As his symptoms worsened, our local veterinarians Dr. Julie Berman and Dr. Michelle West referred Titian to a neurologist in Connecticut where we live. An MRI was performed and changed our family’s life in a moment. Titian had a large brain tumor called a meningioma in his left forebrain. He was given a guarded prognosis the week before the Christmas and New Year holidays.

After much research about meningiomas and careful consideration of possible complications we decided to contact Dr. McDonnell. Dr. McDonnell got in touch with us very quickly. He personally contacted  Steve and I and read Titian's MRI report on Christmas Eve! He was so responsive and reassuring during this very difficult time.

We took Titian to meet Dr. McDonnell at the University Of Pennsylvania School Of Veterinary Medicine. There Titian met his neurosurgeon, Dr. Jay McDonnell. Together we formulated a two stage plan that would start with surgery to remove the tumor followed by three weeks of radiation, 5 days per week. The radiation treatments would take place closer to home in Massachusetts at NEVOG with Dr. Seigel.

When we meet Dr. McDonnell he was terrific in explaining all of the possible options and outcomes. This helped us to help Titian.

Dr McDonnell is extremely knowledgeable and amazing at his art of neurosurgery.

Titian has done great with both his surgery and radiation. He had very few side effects and now you would never know looking at him what he has been through. He is happy, alert and full of life today.  Titian  recently participated in an American Cancer Society relay for life walk with his family and local Veterinarians and staff at Shoreline Animal Hospital  in Clinton,CT. Titian will continue to fight back against cancer. He plans on following up with Dr. McDonnell in the future. He enjoys the ride between Connecticut and Philadelphia and loves seeing Dr. McDonnell and staff. We cannot THANK Dr. McDonnell enough for extending Titian's life.

Christina and Steve Temelini