Purdue Veterinary Hospital Helps Family and Pet Find Peace of Mind
Today we continue a series of stories about animals and their owners who’ve found help and healing at the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital as we share the tale of a dog named Koda. This is just one of the heartwarming tributes provided by hospital clients to highlight the vital care and treatment their animal companions received from the hospital’s teams of clinicians, veterinary nurses, staff and students.
Koda is a young poodle mix that had experienced ongoing bladder issues early in life. After numerous trips to the local veterinary clinic, Koda’s family was referred to the Purdue University Small Animal Hospital for answers.
Koda’s owner, Marianne Hoke, took her beloved companion on the several-hour drive to West Lafayette in search of clarity and found it. Purdue’s specialists diagnosed Koda’s condition and developed a treatment plan, working in collaboration with her local veterinarian to ensure continuity of care once Koda returned home.
What had once seemed like a string of frustrating accidents in the house now had an explanation, and with it, a way forward. Marianne recalled that initially, she followed up with the hospital every three months and after two cycles of that, during which Koda was stable, the hospital care team advised that the follow-ups would only need to be done every six months. Her local veterinarian runs Koda’s kidney function tests and sends them to the Veterinary Hospital’s Nephrology/Urology service. Marianne said she usually receives a text with results the same day.
At first, Marianne interacted with the resident who had seen Koda at Purdue. After the resident concluded her residency program, the senior clinician on the case, Dr. William Whitehouse, assistant professor of small animal internal medicine, handled the communication with her. Beyond the clinical care, Marianne appreciated the personalized touches, the follow-up communication, appointment reminders, and encouragement to keep sharing updates about Koda’s progress. “It makes you feel like you have that team behind you if they ever are needed,” Marianne said.
With Purdue’s support, Koda’s discomfort is now being managed, and Marianne has a deeper understanding of his condition and how to care for him. It’s the kind of partnership that makes a lasting difference for pets and the people who love them.
