Dr. Bulovas has been able to help many animals. Below we’ll periodically highlight some of our success stories.
May 2011
Moca Chip- Moca Chip is a 7 and 1/2 year old Chihuahua that is greatly loved by her family. Her family went to work one day and upon returning home Moca had broken her tibia (shin bone) into three pieces. It is unknown how this happened but her family was very upset. She was brought to Dr. Bulovas to be put back together. A pin was placed within the bone to align the pieces and a plate was applied to hold the pieces together. Moca is doing well and will be home with her family soon.
May 2011
Willie Nelson- Willie Nelson is a 1 and 1/2 year old English Springer Spaniel that presented for bruising on his back, legs, abdomen, and chest. He also had two episodes of bloody diarrhea. On exam, more bruising was noted on his gums and ear flaps. Upon thorough testing it was determined that Willie Nelson's own body was attacking his platelets, a disease known as immune mediated thrombocytopenia (IMT). This meant that he was not able to clot his blood and that is why he was forming bruises. He was immediately started on medications to stop his immune system from its attack. Despite this, he started bleeding internally into his bladder, intestines, and lungs. He continued to bleed to the point of needing a blood transfusion. After the blood transfusion, a lot of TLC, and prayers, Willie Nelson began to respond. He is at home and doing well with his family. He continues to be on medications to control his immune system and may have to be on them for the rest of his life. But, he is able to enjoy the love and comfort of his family and his family is able to enjoy the happiness he brings.
May 2011
Lucy - Lucy is an almost 5 year old Dachshund that presented for exam because she was not able to walk well. Her family noticed that she was walking a little differently and over the next couple of days got to the point were she was not able to move her back legs very well. On exam a presumptive diagnosis of intervertebral disc disease was made. This meant that she had most likely ruptured a disc in her back that was putting pressure on her spinal cord causing her severe pain and interfering with the nerves ability to make her back legs work correctly. She was hospitalized and treated medically. After a couple of days in the hospital, she had not responded and her quality of life was not improving. Her family thought they may lose her. However, the next day she began to improve. She is now able to walk on her own. She has a very unique walk but at least she is at home pain free and able to get around relatively well with her family.
January 2011
Gabby is a 10 year old dachshund mix. Her owner brought her in for an exam because she noticed over the past two weeks her abdomen had been getting bigger. Gabby was doing well otherwise. Upon exam Dr. Bulovas was able to feel a large mass in Gabby’s abdomen. He suspected a tumor had been growing for awhile and recommended surgery. An appointment was made to bring Gabby back the next day for surgery.
Gabby came in the next morning and was prepared for surgery. When surgery was finished Dr. Bulovas had removed a 4.3 pound tumor from Gabby’s abdomen. All her internal organs were checked as well for any other growths.
Gabby recovered well and went home the next day. Her owner had requested to see a picture of the tumor. She was amazed that something that large could come out of her Gabby. “When I showed the picture of the tumor to my husband his jaw dropped” the owner wrote us. “We are so happy to have Gabby back with us.”
January 2011
Shadow is a 7-year old golden retriever. His owner brought him in because he had been having vomiting and diarrhea for a couple of days, but that morning was found lying by the fence and did not want to get up. Dr. Bulovas did an exam on Shadow and suggested lab work and an ultrasound to try and determine the cause of the abdominal swelling. The owners agreed and the ultrasound showed two splenetic tumors and internal bleeding. Surgery had to be performed immediately to save the dog. After receiving two blood transfusions to replace the lost blood, Shadow was taken into surgery. An hour later the spleen had been removed and Shadow was recovering in the hospital ICU. Shadow was given pain medications and rested in the hospital for the next couple of days.
Shadow is now home and has had a full recovery. The owners are relieved and happy to have their pet back to his old self.
November 2010
Dr. Bulovas is a strong believer in giving back to the community. Izzy is a much-loved pet in Ms.Bethell’s class. The kids were saddened when Izzy developed two tumors on her chest and was obviously not feeling well. After evaluating Izzy, Dr. Bulovas decided that removal of the tumors was Izzy’s only option if she was going to live a happy life. Surgery was performed and Izzy recovered well. The kids in Ms. Bethell’s class were delighted to have their old friend back!!
October 2010
Our morning started off as most mornings do at AHOW--technicians were taking care of hospital cases and boarders were being walked and fed. A normal morning until Jerry arrived. Jerry, a one-year old terrier mix, had been attacked by coyotes. There were several bite wounds that were bleeding and Jerry appeared to be in shock. Our staff jumped into action stabilizing Jerry, taking x-rays, and administered pain meds. There were several puncture wounds found on Jerry’s head, neck and abdomen. We wrapped Jerry’s chest to help with breathing.
Over the next few days Jerry started to improved. He was eating small amounts of food and could stand on his own. Walking was still painful but he attempted a few steps at a time. Jerry was able to go home at the end of the week.
Jerry has recovered well and is back to his normal routine. The only injury remaining is that Jerry lost sight in his left eye.
September 2010
Tyler is a 12 year old Cocker Spaniel who came to us for an exam to check on an irritated growth that would not heal. Dr. Macfarlane did an exam and had routine bloodworm done. Unfortunately the test results showed that Tyler was anemic. Over the course of one month Tyler was in and out of the hospital for monitoring, medications and two blood transfusions. It was not until after a third blood transfusion was performed that Tyler started to improve. Tyler has been a patient of Dr. Bulovas since he was a puppy. Tyler is home and continuing to do well under the loving care of his owners.
December 2009
Roxy came to our clinic in December of 2009 for her first puppy check. She is an English Bulldog who was purchased from a breeder. During the exam her owners commented that she was coughing and had a nasal discharge. Lab work and x-rays showed that she had developed pneumonia. Roxy was hospitalized, treated with antibiotics and went on to recover well.
Upon recheck for the pneumonia, the owner stated that Roxy rarely had firm stool and was not gaining weight as she should. After thorough testing and treatment Roxy still had diarrhea and continued to lose weight. In mid January she was diagnosed with EPI, Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency, which is rare for a 15 week old puppy and especially in her breed. Treatment was started with a food additive to help the pancreas along with a restricted diet. She has done very well and continues to be a great pet.
June 2009
In early June of 2009 Mr. and Mrs. Havers came across a young boxer lying in a ditch. He had been hit by a car, was very dehydrated, painful and left for dead. They brought him to the clinic to have him checked and to see if anything could be done. After lab work and x-rays were performed it was discovered he was anemic, had heartworms, and fractures of the pelvis and left femur. But in the eyes of the boxer was a spirit that would not be crushed. The Havers decided to treat their new friend which they have come to name Jack.
Surgery was performed by Drs. Macfarlane and Bulovas to repair the broken femur. Four days later Jack had regained his strength, was walking around and released to his new family.
Jack’s next procedure was to get rid of the heartworms. He was treated at the end of August and was given a clean bill of health at his follow up visit in early September.
Jack has become a very loving and wonderful companion as well as a good patient. Jack would have not survived his injuries had it not been for the loving care of the Havers.
January 2009
Animal Hospital of The Woodlands feels strongly that it has a responsiblitiy to give back to the community. Many stray animals come to the hospital and are united with their owners. Some are transfered to the SPCA. The hospital channels its efforts and time through the Humane Society, Boston Terrier Rescue and Pekinese Rescue. Recently the humane society needed help withTinkerbell. Tinkerbell was only 2 years old but had severe knee arthritis from an old injury. The hospital performed radiographs and determined that the only way that Tinkerbell could have a pain free life was to amputate the leg. The hospital perfomed the radiographs and surgery at cost for the organization. Tinkerbell is recovering well and will hopefully find a loving owner.
December 2008
It is very satisfying to see a patient grow old and continue to have a great quality of life. Behr Gibson has been a client of the hospital since the beginning. He is a diabetic, hypothyroid that has chonic pain in his hips. I was walking through boarding over the holiday and noticed Behr. He looked great. He is a labrador and almost 11 years old but looks no older than 8 years. He thinks that he is 4 years old and is always happy to see everyone. He takes insulin, thyroid supplement and pain meds. He is a great example that old patients can have great quality of life with proper care. Dr. Bulovas is board certifed in canine and feline specialty. Even though he is best known for surgery the majority of the hospital patient visits are for medical treatment.
November 2006
Recently, a Black Labrador, named Hokulani, came to The Animal Hospital of The Woodlands. Her knee ligaments were completely shattered and her family was devastated at the idea of her never walking again. Dr. Bulovas and his team rebuilt her entire leg during a reconstructive, bone-plating surgery.
“Hokulani is a great success story,” he said. “Last week we did the surgery, and she is already starting to move around and walk. It is so rewarding to watch dogs who could not play with their owners be able to run again.”
