A Tender Tiger's Tale

Tiger Cubs at EFRC

The Exotic Feline Rescue Center (EFRC) is a living saga of abandoned big cats and the heroics of those dedicated people who nurture them.  Tora, a beautiful 15 year old tiger, is part of this rich and inspiring story.  Tora’s mother was one of ten doomed circus cats rescued by the Center late in 1997.  In early 1998, Tora was born at the Center and grew into a happy, gentle resident.  His caretakers describe him as “Sweet”, “Gentle”, and “Liking attention”.  The dedication to these big cats is very real and every consideration is made for their care, so it was no surprise when Dr. Fred Froderman called in help to remove a large tumor from Tora’s intestines.   

Appropriately described as a "Gentle Giant", Tora is being prepped for surgery.  Dr. Forderman is on the left. 

Dr. Froderman is the Rescue Center’s lead veterinarian.  He is also one of Circle City Veterinary Specialty & Emergency Hospital's ER Clinicians.  When Tora became lethargic, Dr. Froderman performed tests that would reveal Tora was anemic and had a large mass in his intestines.  Knowing this could be a tricky procedure for a tiger Tora’s age, he called in another of Circle City’s talented team, Dr. Stephen Birchard, MS, DACVS, who specializes in these types of surgeries.  Together, the two of them removed a basketball sized tumor, a bone fragment that could not pass because of the tumor, and the damaged parts of Tora’s intestines.  We are happy to report that Tora is recovering well.  His caretakers are singing his praises and as each day passes his chance for a full recovery grows.    

Tora in his hospital cage. 

Tora is one of more than 200, and counting, exotic cats that currently live at EFRC.  They each have a unique and touching story to tell and we are all quite lucky to be graced by such a facility so close to home.  Do yourself a favor and visit their website, then visit them in person!  If you like to jog, check out their 5Kfundraising event coming next month.  This is a great time of year to take a walk on the wild side and visit some of the most regal animals on earth! 

Fund Finding Facts

A common fear among households with furry family members is facing an unexpected, and often expensive, health problem with their pet.  More and more families are planning ahead with the purchase of pet insurance, but what about those who haven’t?  It is not uncommon for families to face a devastating decision between financial hardship or the health of their beloved pet.  Lack of funding for life saving care also affects those who provide the care.  Nothing weighs more heavily on veterinarians than when a family's financial situation prevents them from doing what they know and love best...saving lives...

Some of that is changing, however, and people are finding help, if they know where to look.  As pets become more and more a part of the family dynamic, more and more organizations that offer assistance are being created to help when disaster strikes.   Some pet owners have even taken up their own successful awareness and fundraising campaigns. 

Most of these organizations provide monetary help through donations so, as you might imagine, the demand for financial assistance may exceed the available funds on a regular basis.  Also, these groups try to assist as many as possible and families with more meager incomes are usually addressed first.   Even so, if you are in need of help, a little persistence and savvy may pay off.  We have witnessed miracles on more than one occasion when motivated families sought assistance to help pay for their pet's medical care.

The VeterinaryPartners.com has provided a comprehensive list of these philanthropic organizations.  Because we see only sick and injured patients here, we highly recommend pet health insurance, but when that is lacking, don’t give up hope.  Compassionate assistance may still be possible.  Click on the links in this article; knowledge brings choice and choice can bring peace of mind.

Corn Cob Casualties - Summer PSA

By: Kate Fitzwater, DVM, MS, DACVS

Spring is finally here and summer is just around the corner – hallelujah! With that comes the mid-western food delight of sweet corn. My family loves corn on the cob and my toddler daughter can eat two ears herself, but as a surgeon I have trepidation every time I fix it for the foreign body risk it is for my golden retriever. 

Let alone the risk of direct ingestion, as my daughter accidentally drops it from having buttery fingers, to him possibly finding the cobs in the trash; either one is an intestinal obstruction waiting to happen. When dogs swallow corn on the cob they typically chew it to an extent, but usually swallow chunks of the cob that are not digestible, because they are in a hurry to eat it and not get caught! These cob chunks can hang out in the stomach for some time before moving into the small intestines where they usually get stuck!
Clinical signs of intestinal obstruction include: vomiting, inappetence or anorexia, and in some cases diarrhea. A corn cob intestinal obstruction is diagnosed most commonly on abdominal radiographs/x-rays because the cob can be seen.   In the radiograph below, the cob is in the lower left section. 

 Photograph courtesy of S. Birchard, DVM, DACVS

Some dogs can pass the cob completely without having a surgical obstruction, but I wouldn’t take those odds!  Intestinal surgery to remove the corn cob can be a simple enterotomy, which is an incision made into the bowel, then the cob is removed and bowel wall sutured closed.  Sometimes it is necessary to remove an entire portion of the bowel due to pressure necrosis from being stuck in the same place for too long. Either surgery comes with the potential complication of breakdown of the suture line in the bowel, typically 3-5 days after surgery. If this occurs, then the intestinal contents leak into the abdomen and cause a severe abdominal infection called a septic abdomen.  


Photograph courtesy of  S. Birchard, DVM, DACVS

The picture above shows an intraoperative view of the small intestines with a corn cob obstruction prior to surgical removal.  This cob was removed by one incision and did not require resection of a portion of the small intestines.  The bruised intestine to the right of the cob shows the damage it inflicts as it moves through the bowel.  Below is the indigestible cob after it was removed from the small intestine.  

Photograph courtesy of S. Birchared, DVM, DACVS


My warning to you this summer during your backyard barbecues is to make sure people don’t leave their plates lying around with kernel empty cobs.  Quickly dispose of them in a dog-proof trash can so you and your furry friend can enjoy a summer that does not include this preventable mishap.     

Feline Fatal Attractions

By:  Fred Froderman, DVM

 

Spring has finally arrived!  Chlorophyl is coming alive causing a gentle breath of green to moisten the winter worn grass as it strains to reach the heat of the ever elusive sun.  Along with the struggling grass we see the delicate shoots of the spring lilies pushing their way through the rotting mulch.  Lilies rise from the dead around Easter and have come to represent this Christian holiday.  These are the lilies we will focus on here.  

Lilies are commonly found in flower arrangements, potted plants and corsages as well as being one of the first flowers to bloom in the spring landscape of many homes.  Their beauty, however, hides a deadly truth for our feline friends.  The first report of Lily toxicity was reported in 1992 and involved an Easter lily.  It is now accepted  that all lilies are to be considered nephrotoxic (toxic to the kidneys) of cats.  There is no evidence that lilies are toxic in any other species but can cause vomiting in dogs.  Almost all reported cases of lily toxicity in cats have been through exposure to in home potted plants and flower arrangements.  Both the leaves and the flowers are considered toxic.  The actual mechanism of lily nephrotoxicity is not known at this time and there is no definitive confirmatory test for suspected exposure.  A very small amount can cause clinical signs of toxicity.

Clinical Signs:  The first clinical signs show up 1 to 3 hours following ingestion and include vomiting, salivation, anorexia, and depression.  The vomiting and salivation can last 2 to 6 hours but the anorexia and depression can last throughout the syndrome.

The next sign that shows up is increased urinating. This usually starts 18 to 30 hours after ingestion.  The increased urinating eventually fades to total lack of urine production due to total kidney shutdown which develops 24 to 48 hours post ingestion.  At this time vomiting starts again along with weakness followed by recumbency and death.

Treatment:  If you see your cat ingest any part of a lily you should contact your veterinarian as soon as possible.  Your veterinarian will likely recommend treatment which will include inducing vomiting and activated charcoal.  The other treatment for cats that are still producing urine is to give IV fluids for 24 to 72 hours.  Once your cat has stopped producing urine, it's prognosis becomes grave.  Dialysis would be the main form of treatment at that time. 

Differentials:  Other things that can cause similar signs are antifreeze toxicity, acute and chronic renal failure and other toxins that affect the kidneys.

Summary:  If you have lilies in your house try to keep them out of reach of your cats.   If you see your cat ingest any part of a lily you should contact your veterinarian as soon as possible.  Quick response and treatment are the key to preventing permanent kidney damage and death.  If you ever have any reason to believe that your pet has ingested any toxic substance you can contact ASPCA (Animal Poison Control Center) 24 hours a day.  888 - 426-4435.  There is a $65 fee to contact ASPCA but once they have a case number they will talk to you or your veterinarian as often as needed at no additional cost.