Snow Leopard

Snow Leopard
Snow Leopard cub (7 mos old) - Cape May County Zoo

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

WHAT Did That Pet Eat?

Each year, a publication called Veterinary Practice News, puts out the word, looking for the most unique things radiographed inside our pets.

Even us vets find this stuff amazing and fascinating. You never know what an animal will eat (and it's not just dogs and cats - reptiles and other small pets are included too.) Often times, the owner doesn't even know!

Check it Out!!

Friday, September 7, 2012

Cuterebra

It's that time of year when we see certain conditions in pets.

One of the big ones right now is fleas. We are seeing a lot of pets with fleas - even "indoor" kitties. There are great products out there folks. Ask your vet what they recommend. Remember, flea collars AND fleas are often found on the pet simultaneously - i.e., they are a waste of money.

But one of MY personal favorite things is Cuterebra.

From the Merck Veterinary Manual Online:

This opportunistic, parasitic infestation of dogs, cats, and ferrets is caused by the rodent or rabbit botfly, Cuterebra spp (order Diptera, family Cuterebridae). Flies are usually host- and site-specific relative to their life cycle. However, rabbit Cuterebra are less host-specific and are usually associated with dog and cat infestations. Rarely, cats and dogs may be infested with Hypoderma spp or Dermatobia hominis . Ferrets housed outside may be infested by Hypoderma or Cuterebra spp .


Now typically we see these in cats and rabbits. But the other day a an older dog came in for a lump.Of course since it was older, the most common thing would be...a lump. Whether it was of concern or not had yet to be determined. My technician told me it was on the front leg (inner side of area by carpus or wrist area). He said it was soft. So, I'm thinking its possibly a lipoma (benign fatty mass).

I get in the room and see this:



One look and I knew..it was something I love..and an easy fix for the dog. The thing in the center is the larva.  So all we had to was pull it out, intact and flush the wound. Send the dog home on antibiotics and it would be fine! No need for surgery -which is good - she was 16yrs old and a diabetic!



Where did she get this? She plays near and in a pond. There were a lot of flies in the area according to her owner. 

Don't worry. I rarely see this in dogs or even cats. If it happens, it's easily dealt with. In fact, if you don't remove it, it will fall out in a month, pupate and become a fly. A wound with a very regular circular edge would remain leaving you wondering what happened. Sometimes people assume the pet got shot. 


Monday, September 3, 2012

Unique Kitty Face

This is a neat story/picture about a cat with unique facial markings.

And I realize I've been a bit "absent" of late. Oh there's always interesting stuff going on in veterinary medicine. Trust me. If it's one thing my profession is NOT, it's boring. The variety of people and pets AND medical/surgical conditions make no two days alike. That doesn't mean we don't see things over and over - I've had too many "ear infection" days or urinary problem days. Yeah, they seem to come like that too - in groups. Weird. Cannot explain it. After 15 years, I just accept that's what happens. 

Enjoy!

http://blog.mysanantonio.com/animals/2012/08/cat-looks-like-she-has-two-faces/