Skin Cancers and Sun Protection for our pets

Animals, like people, can get sunburnt and suffer from UV induced skin cancers.

• The sites commonly affected are those with minimal hair coverage including ears, nose, eyelids and groins of those pets that love to lie on their backs in the sun.

• Animals with white fur on these areas are especially at risk. Squamous cell carcinomas are especially common on the noses and ears of cats. These will initially look like scratches that won’t heal.

• If treated early enough, the team at the Veterinary Centre are able to perform a non-invasive, cryosurgery to remove them before they become advanced and require surgery. Attacking them early is the key!

Pet specific sunblock is available for pets who are at risk. These are made to be safe if your pet happens to lick it. Please make sure that any outdoor pets are provided with shelter and shade. If you have any concerns about any changes in your pet’s skin, especially if small wounds seem to heal and then come back, then don’t hesitate to come and see one of our friendly vets at the Veterinary Centre or pop into the shop for some sunblock today.

Alpha and his displaced bladder

Alpha was brought into the Ranfurly Veterinary Clinic as he had been straining for the past few days and just not himself. An initial inspection showed Alpha had a painful tummy and a swelling beside his rectum.

Alpha had developed a perineal hernia, this is where the muscles next to the rectum created an opening from the abdomen to under the skin. In Alphas case, his bladder had gone through this opening, and had become stuck under the skin beside his rectum. This created quite a complex problem; not only did Alpha’s bladder need to be replaced and the muscles repaired, but also his kidneys were struggling as Alpha was unable to urinate.

The Ranfurly Veterinary team worked to initially stabilise Alpha and he was then transferred to Oamaru for emergency surgery. Against the odds, Alpha did really well during surgery, his bladder was returned to his abdomen, then the muscles beside his rectum were repaired and his abdomen flushed.

Over the next few days, Alpha remained in Oamaru’s hospital receiving antibiotics, pain relief and plenty of fluids to support his kidneys. Alpha was also started on a special diet designed to help protect the kidneys going forward.

Alpha recently came back into the Ranfurly Veterinary Clinic for his 2 week check-up. We are all very happy to report, despite such an ordeal, and with the help of the Veterinary Centre team Alpha is doing very well.

Combatting Hip Dysplasia

Canine Hip Dysplasia is a common cause of crippling lameness and painful arthritis of the joints later in life. It is an extremely common, inherited disease in dogs where there is abnormal formation of the hip socket. Larger dogs such as German Shepherds, Rottweilers, Labrador Retrievers and Golden Retrievers are commonly affected breeds.

The Veterinary Centre Oamaru offers a diagnostic x-ray procedure, called the “PennHIP procedure” that identifies the risk of this disease. Puppies can be screened from as early as four months of age and the procedure can be easily performed at the time of a spey or neuter.

Additionally, in puppies under 5 months of age that have been diagnosed with hip dysplasia or are considered at high risk for the disease, a minimally invasive surgery is available to prevent canine hip dysplasia by influencing the shape of the hip joint as a puppy grows.

Identifying and treating this disease early can have huge benefits later in life. Please call us if you would like more information on each of these procedures.

Lucy and her Lungworms

At 16 weeks old, Lucy was a happy and healthy playful little kitten. At 17 weeks old, Lucy was no longer happy or healthy. Lucy visited the Veterinary Centre after developing a nasty cough and becoming very lethargic. When the vet saw her, Lucy had very loud, rattly lungs and was breathing faster than normal. Lucy was hospitalised for a few days and received intensive treatment for lungworms. Within a few days she was improving and within a week Lucy was back to her energetic mischievous self.

Lungworm is most commonly seen in kittens and can be seen in older or immunocompromised cats as well. Cats become infected when they eat rodents, birds, lizards, slugs, and snails. The worms travel from the intestines to the lungs where they can cause severe disease and can sometimes even be fatal.

Not all worm treatments are effective against lungworm! With lots of Tiny Tigers going out into the world it is very important to stay on top of parasite control and while they are still young, making sure you are treating for lungworm is essential.

Quick Response Saves Hank

Hank, the hard working Huntaway, came into our Veterinary Centre Oamaru clinic after his owner noticed he had drunk a small amount of sheep footbath. He had rapidly become unwell, was vomiting and very depressed. The footbath contained a highly concentrated zinc solution and it was calculated that only 50mls was a lethal dose for Hank. Zinc damages the red blood cells causing anaemia, as well as damaging the kidneys. Our blue cross veterinary team acted quickly giving Hank high volumes of intravenous fluids and medications to stop any more zinc from being absorbed from his gut. He responded to treatment very well, and although he stayed at our Oamaru veterinary hospital for nearly a week for blood tests to monitor his anaemia.

Hank has now returned home to do the work he loves on the farm. If you ever suspect your animal friend has eaten or drunk something toxic, contact us straight away for advice, as Hank’s owner did. The faster we treat any toxicities, the better chance they have of recovering.

Beau and the Grass Seed

Earlier this month Beau the dog presented to the Veterinary Centre Oamaru with a sore eye. A few days prior he had been playing out in a grassy field and had face-planted into the mud. Since then both eyes were weepy but the left eyelids were also very swollen. Despite Beau’s owners’ best efforts wiping the eyes a few times a day with plain lukewarm water the left eye was not improving.

On presentation to the clinic, Beau’s left eye was very sore and the eyelids were still swollen so it was decided he would be sedated to allow a thorough examination of his eye. Dogs and cats have a third eyelid, called the nictitating membrane which pathology can hide behind. A large barley grass seed was found wedged in behind the third eyelid and the eye causing inflammation and scratching the top surface of the eye. This had led to a corneal ulcer which was caught early enough to treat medically. With the seed removed and the eye treated, Beau was back to tip top shape and ready to continue enjoying summer.

Beau’s case is a timely reminder to us all to be vigilant during the grass seed season. After taking your dogs out, a quick once over to check and remove any grass seeds. These seeds have been known to travel within the body so speedy removal is important. Although, if eyes are involved checking with your vet is a good first approach.

Punch & his Diabetes

This year Punch came to our clinic because he was no longer his bright bubbly self. His owner had noticed that he was drinking and urinating more than usual, eating lots, losing weight and not wanting to go for his regular walks. After a couple of blood and urine tests at the clinic, he was diagnosed with diabetes mellitus.

Diabetes is a disease where there is either a lack of insulin production or the insulin that is usually made by the body is not working properly. This causes weight loss, low energy levels and an increase in drinking and urination.

To help treat Punch’s diabetes, he was started on insulin therapy. Over the next 4-5 months he was monitored closely by the vets at the Waimate Veterinary Centre. During the duration of his treatment, he also developed cataracts and pancreatitis (both being complicating factors of diabetes). We were fortunate enough to be able to refer Punch to an eye clinic in Christchurch for cataract surgery and managed his pancreatitis with a low-fat diet. Since then, Punch no longer displays any signs of diabetes or pancreatitis. Punch will be continually monitored for the rest of his life, and he will be enjoying a sugar free Christmas with heave restrictions on ham.

Binty's Eeling Adventure

Recently, we met a lovely dog called Binty, who had decided that the bait used on the family eeling excursion looked quite tasty. Unfortunately this meant she ended up with two big fish hooks in her stomach, and a piece of fishing line out of her mouth! Luckily for Binty, her owners rushed her in to the Vet Centre, and she had a quick surgery to remove the hooks before they could cause problems. She is now at home with her family recovering well and looking forward to her next eeling trip.

Bella's Bladder Blockage

Late last year Bella, the Affenpinscher had surgery to remove several urinary stones. Her owner had noticed her struggling to urinate normally and an x-ray confirmed the stones. Initially, Bella was placed on a special diet to try to dissolve the stones. Unfortunately after a month on this diet, one of the larger stones had passed into her urethra where there was a danger of it causing a life threatening blockage.

Bella's vet Sarah, performed surgery to remove the stones. Most challenging was the removal of the urethral stone because of its hard to reach location. Fortunately, everything went well and after a short stay in hospital and plenty of TLC from her nurses, Bella has made a great recovery and is back to her normal spirited self.

Bella's stones were sent to America for analysis and the results showed that they were struvite stones. Struvite stones are the most common urinary stones seen in dogs, occurring as a consequence of urinary tract infections (UTIs). Bella has continued to do well and remains on a special diet with regular monitoring for UTIs to prevent the stones from re-occurring.

Breathe Easy

Brachycephalic breeds are those which have short noses, such as Pugs, Boston Terriers, Bulldogs, Shih Tzus and Boxers. This shortened face shape can resut in the syndrome known as brachycephalic airway syndrome (BOAS). BOAS may be charaterized by narrowing of the nostrils, a small windpipe, and excessive soft tissue structures at the back of the throat (the soft palate and laryngeal saccules).

Symptoms of the syndrome vary but can include, loud and rapid breathing, snoring, exercise intolerance, retching and collapse.

For minimally affected pups, a regular exercise routine, healthy diet and avoiding overheating will help with breathing and ease other symptoms. Early surgical intervention to widen narrow nostrils will also reduce the risk of deterioration of the airways that can lead to severe BOAS. In more severe cases surgical removal of excessive soft tissue in the back of the throat can also be performed to inprove breathing ability.

Both Rocco the Pug and Angel the English Bull Dog are patients that have recently undergone airway surgery to improve their breathing at the Veterinary Centre Oamaru. We are happy to report that both are doing well, are more active and snoring less.