Skin Cancer in Cats

Even as winter approaches there is still some heat in the afternoon sun.  Cats with a light coloured coat are prone to skin cancer, particularly on the nose and ears.  The first thing that may be noticed is redness, ulceration and scabbing of these areas which eventually become thickened, and may bleed or become infected.  Whilst this cancer is locally destructive, it is generally very slow to spread.  Tiny lesions can be treated with electrocautery or liquid nitrogen but more advanced cases may require surgical removal.  Removal of the ear tips or nose may be needed.  This may leave the cat looking less than fabulous, but these structures are not required for survival or a good quality of life.  Mini, is one of our brave patients who recently underwent surgery to remove the tip of his nose after being diagnosed with more advanced skin cancer.  He is currently in remission and living happily.  Please contact the Veterinary Centre by the Big Blue Cross if you see any suspicious lesions on the nose or ears so that the problem can be addressed early.

Tramp's Close Brush with Tree Nettle

Tramp, a healthy, young working huntaway was out mustering with his owner when he suddenly began salivating and convulsing.  Thirty minutes earlier, Tramp had run through a patch of tree nettle (Ongaonga), a poisonous weed that is common in the South Island.  Tree nettle is one of New Zealand's most poisonous native plants.  It can cause neurological problems, respiratory distress and has been responsible for deaths in dogs, horses and one person.  Fortunately Tramp made it to the Veterinary Centre in the nick of time.  He was in severe shock and unresponsive on arrival and needed to be placed onto IV fluids and an induced coma overnight to stop his seizures.  He also received anti-histamine, steroids and antimine (an antidote) after his quick thinking vet, Luke recognized the symptoms of tree nettle toxicity.  Fortunately, Tramp responded very well to treatment and is now expected to make a full recovery.

Milli's Misplaced Micturition*

Meet Milli one of our recent superpooch patients:

Milli suffered from a wet bottom due to constant dribbling of urine (urinary incontinence) since she was a young pup and her owners were understandably keen to get to the bottom of her problem.  Blood and urine tests at the Veterinary Centre revealed a urinary tract infection which was treated with appropriate antibiotics.  However, Milli's dribbling persisted and further investigation was needed.  An excretory urogram was performed which involves a special dye being injected into Milli's blood stream and x-rays used to monitor its path through the kidneys and into the bladder.  Milli was diagnosed with an ectopic ureter!  This is where the tube that normally transports urine from the kidneys to the bladder, instead by-passes the bladder and empties into the vagina causing constant dribbling.  Milli's vets performed a surgery to move this tube back to its correct location - a first for Veterinary Centre Oamaru!  Milli has made an outstanding recovery and now has a nice dry bottom and is back to enjoying life on the farm with her family.

* Micturition is the ejection of uring from the urinary bladder through the urethra to the outside of the body

Stephen Hawking's Broken Leg

Stephen Hawking the harrier hawk arrived at the Veterinary Centre Oamaru after a courier driver found him on the road with a broken leg.  Stephen was otherwise unharmed.  Felicity, one of our orthopaedic surgeons took on a challenging task of repairing Stephen's leg.  She repaired the fracture using external fixator.  He then spent 3 months in a rehab facility until x-rays showed the leg had healed.  Stephen is currently at a second larger centre learning to fly again before he can be released back into the wild.  Thanks to the courier driver and Felicity's surgical skills his prospects of a full recovery are excellent.

Taz Gets a Gut Ulceration from Human Medication

Taz visited the Veterinary Centre in Waimate as he was pale, lethargic and had black faeces.  Taz had a sore leg and had been given a human pain medication Sonaflam.  Unfortunately, this medication is highly toxic to dogs and can cause gut ulceration and kidney failure.

Taz's gut ulceration caused such bad bleeding that he had lost approximately 3/4 of his red blood cells by the time one of our vets examined him and he was in danger of dying due to severe anaemia.  Taz required a blood transfusion as well as medication to help heal the ulcers.  Thankfully, blood tests showed that his kidneys had not been affected and Taz went on to make a full recovery.

There are many human medications that can make our pets very ill or even lead to death.  It is important to only ever give medications that have been prescribed for your pet and to ensure you stick to the recommended dose.  If you are concerned your pet may have had access to other medication or been given the wrong dose of any medication, always contact your Blue Cross Veterinarian for advice.

Tetanus in Dogs

Recently we dealt with a very sad case of a Husky who died from tetanus.  She was brought into the clinic unwell and on examination was showing signs characteristic of tetanus.  Aggressive treatment was started straight away, but unfortunately the infection was too great and after 4 days she was put to sleep.

Tetanus is an uncommon infection in dogs but is a very serious and life threatening condition if it does occur.  Dogs like other animals become infected after being wounded and the wound becoming infected with the tetanus bacteria.  Unfortunately sometimes the wounds are very small and you may not even be aware that they have occurred.  Dogs may become unwell after several days but sometimes as long as 3 weeks.  In this case it was determined that the dog had been injured 8 days prior.

Even though infection is uncommon it can be prevented by vaccination, just as in many other animals and people.  Vaccination is very effective.  This can be done at the same time as other vaccinations or separately.  After suffering the heartache of losing one mate, her owner has decided to vaccinate their other 2 dogs as they never want to have to go through this again.

Talk to one of our veterinarians if you want to discuss this further.

Sparkles gets Diabetes

Sparkles the 15 year old cat came in to see us at the Veterinary Centre Oamaru because her owners had noted her drinking from odd places - the shower, condensation off the windows and she had become a bit thin.

Sparkles owners took advantage of the Senior Pet Check package which meant she got a real tip to tail check over including 'wellness bloods'.  Her blood tests revealed a very high glucose level and her urine was also positive for glucose.

Sparkles was diagnosed with Diabetes - a condition where the body is no longer able to stabilize it's glucose blood levels.  This condition can become life threatening if left untreated.  Sparkles owners went through a training consult on how to administer daily insulin injections.

Sparkles has recently come in for a diabetes monitoring check which has showed her glucose levels back in the normal range.

If you think your pet is drinking more than normal - diabetes is just one of a number of possible underlying diseases that can be well managed for a long and happy life.  Please contact your local Blue Cross Veterinary Centre to make a consult with one of our friendly vets.

Foreign Bodies - Dangers in the Rubbish

Cats and especially dogs often like to chew and eat things when they shouldn't.  What they think might be nice to have a nibble of could actually put them into big trouble.  We regularly see dogs and cats with sore and painful abdomens that end up needing surgery to remove the foreign body that they have eaten.

Prevention is far better than treatment.

• If you know your pet likes to carry rocks around in their mouth - do not encourage this as they can easily be swallowed
• Some dogs have a fascination with socks, bras, underwear - KEEP IN CLOSED DRAWS
• Pick up and throw out loose plastic bags, lolly wrappers, glad wrap etc.
• Ensure to put all knitting and sewing away - cats like to eat thread/wool and NEEDLES!
• Bones - can not only get stuck but they can rupture the intestines
• Select toys of an appropriate size and strength for your pets
• Keep a close eye on puppies as they are prone to chewing things
• Mouldy, spoiled food can be a great source of Mycotoxins.  These are toxins that act very fast and cause muscle tremors, vomiting, seizures and hyperthermia in as little as 30 minutes.

If your pet is off their food or vomiting (because what they have eaten has gotten stuck in their stomach or intestines and is blocking the normal flow of food) or if you are concerned that your pet may have eaten something then contact your Blue Cross veterinarian immediately.

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)

Shadow is always getting into cat fights!  When Shadow was offered free testing for Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) on his last visit to the Veterinary Centre Waimate his owners jumped at the chance.  They understood that cat fights are the most common cause of FIV spread.  The test was quick and easy, a small blood sample was taken, and a result was available in just ten minutes.  In good news Shadow didn't have FIV and his owners elected to vaccinate him in order to protect the fighting Shadow from a potentially fatal disease.