FOREIGN OBJECT REMOVAL

Ducky: Ginger is one lucky cat! The x-rays show he has a sewing needle stuck in the back of his throat.

Lucky: Woh! Is he going to be okay?

Ducky: He has to be sedated in order for successful removal but it looks like it didn't puncture anything.

Lucky: I hear lots of pets eat things they aren't supposed to like elastic bands, coins and fish hooks! Remember that one time the doctors saved a dog that had fully swallowed a barbaque skewer?! Even underwear seems to be a huge problem for large dogs! :O

Ducky: Your problem seems to be garbage bags... You see what it can do now Lucky, why don't you stop it and eat something that actually has a flavour?

Lucky: But finding a solution to my plastic bag addiction would be like finding a needle in a haystack!

PYOMETRA

Lucky: Ducky! The doctors just got the results from the new girl's x-ray!

Ducky: You mean Lady?! Is she gonna have puppies soon?!

Lucky: Unforetunatly that's not what's bothering Lady's belly. She has pyometra because she's not spayed and isn't having any puppies! It's really serious. :(

Ducky: Oh no! Poor Lady! That must be why she's been vomiting so much and she looks pregnant. She has a serious condition where her uterus is filled with pus! Her body must be trying to fight it off though right?

Lucky: Yes, but if she doesn't go through surgery soon to remove it, her uterus might burst and cause the infection to spread throughout her entire body, making her blood very septic!

Ducky: Wow Lucky! You sure know a lot about pyometra. How smart! :O

Lucky: Yeah, I know. I'm just glad that I haven't gotten it yet. Must be 'cause I'm so manly ;)

Ducky: More like you can't get it 'cause you didn't have a uterus to start out with...

Ducky then told Lucky about the birds and the bees and their pros and cons.

Lucky: ARE YOU SERIOUS??? :O

ACUTE ALLERGIC REACTION

Ducky: Doesn't Lola look like she has chicken pox on her back and sides? She had an allergic reaction I guess.

Lucky: Speaking of chicken, her bumpy skin symptoms may be caused from food or treats. Although she did go for a nice hike in cypress park too so it could be a bee sting, bug bite or a poisonous plant.

Ducky: That's right! It's very common for pets like us to be allergic to certain ingredients. 80% of food allergies in cats are caused by beef, fish and dairy alone while 68% in dogs are caused by beef, wheat and dairy. Other reasons like you said are from environmental circumstances.

Lucky: The wierd thing is though is that most reactions to food show up as problems with our skin instead of stomach! It's a common misconception. Some breeds are also prone to skin probelms in general too such as Shar Pei and Boxers.

Ducky: It looks like she likes having her belly scratched by the staff.

Lucky: Why don't you go scratch her belly too, Sis? :)

Ducky: Are you crazy?! Lola's a boxer and is 10 times my size! >:O

Lucky: You're such a chicken...

PREGNANCY

Ducky: Psst. Lucky! Come over here!

Lucky: What's up, oh secretive one. ;)

Ducky: Did you here? The dog that came this morning is pregnant!

Lucky: I thought her x-rays didn't show anything though?

Ducky: They didn't! We called a specialist in to give her an ultrasound. The young pups don't have solid bones so we couldn't see them in the x-ray. You can see them on the ultrasound though! She should be about half way through her pregnancy since puppies start showing in x-rays at around 40 days but only 30 days for ultrasound. By the way Lucky, where were you during the whole procedure?

Lucky: Sleeping...

FELINE IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS (FELINE AIDS)

Lucky: I was reading one of the pet magazines while I was sitting on book rack, Ducky. Did you know that cats can get a very sick from the saliva of FIV positive cats?

Ducky: Why? What happens?

Lucky: Cats that are prone to getting into fights with other cats, especially roaming unneutered males, are most likely to get Feline AIDS. It's a virus cats can get and it's very similar to HIV in humans, although it can't be spread to any other animal or human. There's also a vaccine owners can get done if they think their cat is prone!

Ducky: So what happens when a cat gets FIV? :O

Lucky: Well, Lethargy, a decreased apetite and fever is common for the first few months. After that, it's pretty serious! Due to a weakened immune system, infected cats can get mouth and respiratory infections, cancer, intestinal and fungal diseases, eye and nervous system diseases, and leukemia (not to be confused with Feline Leukemia Virus though!)

Ducky: Well, I'll be sure to keep away from any cats while I'm out chasing the crows!

Lucky: Some day Ducky, those crows are gonna give you a piece of your own medicine... :P

FELINE OBESITY

Lucky: Hey Sis, who's that new girl in boarding right now?

Ducky: That's Katie! She's gonna be my fitness partner during my afternoon strolls.

Lucky: She's about double my size though...

Ducky: Remember Lucky, it's never to late to start dieting and getting your exercise! Did you know that overweight cats are prone to many different diseases such as diabetes, heart and breathing problems, and joint and ligament strain? You should try sneaking out the door like I do sometimes, you look a little pudgy around the waistline. >:)

Lucky: Hey! That's just my one-pack that I've been working on!

Ducky: Why not turn that one-pack into a six-pack and go on a date with Katie? She's really friendly!

Lucky: Thanks Sis, but I'll stick to ripping open the food bags for sale and snacking :)

Ducky: You're so lazy...

Lucky: No, that comes later. First I'm gonna have myself some kibble. Hmm...now which bag should I open today? How about the biggest and most expensive bag!!!

Ducky: Now I'm hungry too...

EAR HEMATOMA

Ducky: Wow! It's like a mango!

Lucky: Stop calling my big belly funny names Ducky! >:(

Ducky: Not you! The dog in surgery right now. His ear must feel so irritated and itchy if it got that way!

Lucky: What happened to his poor ear?

Ducky: He has an ear hematoma. It's what happens when pet's scratch it a lot after getting it infected or having ear mites.

Lucky: But why is it all swollen?

Ducky: It's full of blood clots and excess fluid that rushed to his ear when he's stimulates it by itching. He has to get it drained otherwise it could cause deafness and scarring.

Lucky: Sounds painful! I hope his mango gets better soon... :(

Ducky: Always thinking about food...

HYPERTHYROIDISM

Lucky: Ducky! Do you know what hyperthyroidism is? I heard the doctors diagnosed Ginger with it.

Ducky: It's a common disease that's mostly seen in older cats, around the age of 13. It's because they grow a tumor on at least one of their thyroid glands. This causes over production of thyroid hormones.The medicines we sell called Tapazole and Thyro-Tab are used to treat it as well as hypothyroidism in dogs.

Lucky: How can they tell if Ginger has it? He seems full of energy to me!

Ducky: Most cats with hyperthyroidism are known to be very active but Ginger has been steady on his medication for quite some time now. He just needs to get his blood tested to see if his current dose of Tapazole if correct for him.

Lucky: I hate taking pills! What if he doesn't want to take his meds anymore?

Ducky: There are other options like radiotherapy and surgical removal of the tumors. If he doesn't have those done and won't take his meds then he can risk heart and liver conditions!

Lucky: I also heard the night staff discussing the recommended age for testing a cat's thyroid. Guess what it is!

Ducky: Isn't it 8 years old?

Lucky: Better make your appointment Ducky!