Pinky is a Brindle 3 year old female Staffy cross who was brought to Matamata Veterinary Services one evening after being involved in a road traffic accident.
Pinky was in a very serious condition, with multiple lacerations to her head and limbs. She had no response to pain in her legs and couldn’t stand up. Pinky had sustained a massive knock to her head and was in serious shock from the degree of pain from all her injuries.
Despite Pinkys serious condition owner Curtis wanted us to proceed and do everything possible to save her. Initial therapy to stabilize Pinky included intravenous fluid therapy, blood volume replacement therapy, drugs to reduce the brain swelling, antibiotics and pain relief.
The first night was crucial but Pinky managed to beat the odds and come the morning she could lift her head and managed to eat, although she was still non weight bearing and unable to stand. Xrays confirmed she had escaped with out any broken bones or internal injuries. By that afternoon she could push up with her back legs and had pain responses back in 3 of her legs. Pinky continued to improve especially when Curtis came to visit before and after school.
3
6hours after the initial incident she could stand on 3 legs although she was still weak, by 48hours she could take some steps forward when coaxed. Pinky’s front left leg unfortunately had brachial plexus avulsion. This meant her leg had been pulled away from her body and was paralysed.
On day 4 Pinky was ready to leave the clinic for hospitilisation and physiotherapy at home by the family. Pinky showed us she was ready to go home by leaping out of the cage and tentatively walking outside to toilet, and then eating a large breakfast.
Pinky is now at home with her family where she is improving steadily. Fingers are crossed for the feeling to return to the front left leg in the next few months.
Photo: Veterinary Nurse Lynne Gillies with "Pinky" and Curtis after a check up at Matamata Veterinary Services
We have upgraded our small animal department and have also invested in significant new technology including, radiography, ultrasound and monitoring equipment.
We are very proud of our new purpose-built 'state-of-the-art' facilities and gave the Matamata community the opportunity to come and have a look 'behind the scenes' on Saturday the 3rd July 2010.
During the Open Day we had Goody bags, free sausage sizzle, free hydro bathing, dog agility demonstrations, special deals, competitions balloons and much more.
The day exceeded all expectations with an estimated 500 people coming through the clinic over 3 hours.
Cats tend to be seasonal breeders with the increasing daylight hours following the shortest day triggering activity. This is now the time of the year you need to get cats desexed to prevent the birth of so many unwanted kittens over the spring and summer.
Along with unwanted pregnancies in females, the breeding season is also associated with an increase in fighting and territorial behaviour. The disease Feline Acquired Immunodeficiency (AIDS) is common in New Zealand with 15% of cats carrying the virus. It is primarily spread by bites. Neutering male cats significantly reduces fighting and so reduces the risk of cats getting AIDS.
A vaccine for Feline AIDS is available, so if you think your cat is fighting and at particular risk please give us a call to discuss immunisations.
As the weather cools, rats and mice come out of the fields to shelter in buildings. This results in more rat poison being laid and a higher incidence of accidental posoning in dogs.
While some dogs need regular claw trimming, we generally recommend that cats’ claws are left alone, as they need them to climb up fences and trees “as cats do”.
However recently we seem to have seen a mini-outbreak of overgrown claws in cats. This problem occurs in older cats that are less active so the claws are not worn down and grow back into the footpad. This mainly happens in the front feet.
It is a good idea to occasionally check the claws of older cats to make sure they are wearing normally.
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