Pets and Child Safety

How to Teach Your Child to Approach Dogs Safely

Summertime is here which means more outdoor activities at the park or around your neighborhood where children and dogs will meet.  Children love to pet dogs, for the most part, and dogs love to be petted, for the most part. Teaching your children the proper and safe way to approach a dog is important for their safety as well as the dog. Here are a few steps you can take to ensure that the experience will always be positive and pleasant.

 

Always ask permission from owner before you approach the dog! While most dogs you meet may be friendly, some may not be use to strangers or children. If the owner says no, thank them and let them pass, giving them plenty of space.

Allow the dog to approach and smell your hand. Hold your hand out palm down, in a loose fist so the dog can smell you. Wait for the dog to approach you and sniff your hand. If he turns away, he does not want any more attention. If he leans in or licks your hand, then he is letting you know you may pet him.

Pet the dog gently on his back. Never go over the dogs head to pet them. It may scare them. Instead approach from the side and pet him on his back avoiding his tail. Watch the dog for his response. If he is eager for more or rolls over on his back then continue petting him. If he seems uncomfortable, stop petting and talk gently to him instead.

“Thank you”. Let the owner and dog know you appreciate them letting you meet them!

Some other important safety tips to teach your child:

·         Never approach a dog when the owner is not with them.            

·         Never put your face in a dogs face.

·         Never take food or toys away from dogs.

·         Never run or shout around dogs.

·         Always be gentle and kind.

These steps and tips can help to prevent potentially dangerous mishaps. Start teaching your children early and make dogs safety game-like and fun to help your child to learn the rules quickly and easily. The sooner your child learns how to approach a strange dog the safer and happier they will be as well as the dog and its owner!

 -Jamie Hecht

 

Beat the Heat!

The sizzling summer months are upon us in Central North Carolina.  It is time for picnics, swimming pools, outdoor activities, and fun in the sun.  The days are getting hotter and hotter.  During this time, it is important to remember to keep our four-legged friends safe, especially when traveling with them in the car or taking them on walks and hikes.  Within five to ten minutes in a hot car with the windows up, a dog’s temperature can climb to lethal levels.  Temperatures inside an enclosed car can exceed 120 degrees F in less than 20 minutes, with an outside environmental temperature of 75 degrees!  So with the temperature in the high 80’s and 90’s recently, it is even more important to leave our furry friends at home. 

 

The types of pets that are at highest risk for heat stroke include pediatric or geriatric animals, overweight animals, dark-colored animals, and brachycephalic (short-nosed) breeds (i.e. Pugs, Bulldogs).  However, any animal can suffer from heat stoke if left in extreme temperatures.  There are many signs of hyperthermia including excessive panting, collapse, vomiting, diarrhea, and seizures or tremors.  If your pet is exhibiting any of these signs, it is important that you contact a veterinarian right away and bring your pet in for an examination and treatment.  It is not recommended that cooling measures be started at home.  If an animal is cooled too fast, more complications can result, such as a higher incidence of DIC, which is a lethal condition. 

 

 

Graphic Courtesy of PetDepot.com

                So what can you do to prevent heat stroke from happening?

1.        Avoid leaving animals inside a hot vehicle for ANY period of time.   Just leave them at home!

2.       Avoid extreme exercise during hot days.  This includes leaving pets outside for extended periods.  It is not recommended to leave any brachycephalic breeds outdoors for any length of time.

3.       If you are taking your dog on a walk or hike, make sure to bring water along.  Also, be aware of any hot surfaces that your dogs feet are coming in contact with because they can potentially cause burns.

4.       If you are planning on taking your dog for a walk, early in the morning or late at night is a good time.

AND….

If you see a pet left in a car alone on a hot day, call 911!  It could make the difference between life and death!!

Jennifer Dow

 

 

Compost - good for the environment, bad for your dog

 

In this day and age you are viewed as an irresponsible citizen if you are not 'Being Green'. We recycle, drive low-emission cars, and fashion our houses with energy efficient light bulbs.  Although many of the habits we have adopted over the years are more environmentally friendly, there is one in particular that is not friendly to our animal companions. The topic to which I am referring is composting.

 

  

The same piles of rotting organic matter and

molding food products that make your summer gardens nutrient rich, also produce mycotoxins that have negative health effects on your dogs. Depending on the quantity consumed and state of decay of the compost, your dog may show some or all of the following symptoms: hyperactivity, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive panting, hyperthermia, ataxia, and seizures. If left untreated, these symptoms can lead to death. Your canine may need to be hospitalized for one to several days in order to counteract the side effects from ingesting mycotoxins. If deemed appropriate, a treatment plan will include inducing vomiting, IV fluids, routine blood tests, anticonvulsants and/or muscle relaxants, administration of activated charcoal, and temperature regulation.

 

If you are going to begin your voyage into composting this year fellow eco-savvy individuals, please be careful. Make sure your bins are covered, and possibly even locked. Treatment for mycotoxicosis is frequently successful if the ailment is promptly recognized, so it is important to contact your family's veterinarian or the local emergency clinic immediately if your canine comrade is exhibiting any or all of the symptoms previously listed.

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-Sara Schuyler

Veterinary Nurse

My dog is having a seizure, what do I do?

My dog is having a seizure, what do I do?

Seizures can have many different causes, from toxins (such as compost or chemicals) to epilepsy and even brain tumors.  Each cause for seizure has a different treatment.   There is variety in severity from mild facial twitching to a grand mal seizure, which is the violent shaking often coupled with loss of consciousness that most people associate with the word “seizure”.  Watching your pet have a seizure is difficult and unnerving, but it is important that you try to remain calm during the episode so that you can observe and collect information that will help your veterinarian rapidly, and correctly, diagnose and treat your pet.

After remembering to remain calm, your next step should be safety first.  By this, I mean YOUR safety.  A seizing pet often experiences at least partial loss of consciousness, and is quite likely to bite you, even if it has never bitten anyone or shown any sign of aggression.  During a seizure, your pet is in an altered state of mind, and may not recognize you and certainly does not understand what is happening to it. If you MUST move your pet for safety reasons, use a blanket or towel as a barrier between your hands and the pet’s mouth, and then remove the barrier immediately so as not to interfere with your pet’s ability to breath.   Don’t even think about trying to move your pet’s tongue!  Your pet will not swallow its tongue, but may very well bite its own tongue…and your hand if it is nearby.

Your next step should be to take note of the time the seizure started.  It seems like time stands still when you find your pet in a state in which you cannot help them.  Most seizures do not last more than a few seconds to minutes, but if the seizure DOES last 5 or 10 minutes or longer, your veterinarian needs to know this information! 

When the seizure ends, your pet can experience what we call a “post-ictal” stage.  Generally, at this point your pet has regained consciousness, but may seem drowsy or drunk, or what we often hear described as “a little off”.  This is normal after a seizure and may last minutes to hours.  During this stage, try to protect your pet from accidentally injuring his/herself from sliding on slick surfaces or running into objects.  Now is the time to start remembering if your pet has had contact with or ingested any type of chemical, plant, or other unusual object.  Also think if your pet had any unusual behaviors in the past few days.

We recommend that you have your pet seen by a veterinarian after having the first seizure or immediately after any seizure lasting more than 5 minutes.  Your pet may not be in immediate danger, as if often the case with epilepsy, but seizures due to toxins can be life threatening.  When you arrive at the clinic, your vet or their staff will ask you questions about the circumstances surrounding the seizure.  What was happening when the seizure started?  Has your pet been exposed to any potential toxins?  Has your pet ever experienced a seizure before?  How long did the seizure last?  Did your pet lose consciousness?  If you have followed these steps, you will be prepared to help your vet correctly diagnose and treat your pet.

 

-Tara Bennett

Parvo Virus - Spend Now, Save Later

In my work as an emergency veterinary technician, I see a lot of sad cases.  Probably the worst are those that are almost completely preventable.

Parvo virus is a very contagious virus that puppies can succumb to if not properly vaccinated.  Because it attacks the intestinal tract, parvo virus is spread through the feces of infected dogs.  It can survive in the environment for more than a year.  Parvo virus is very host specific, meaning it does not affect cats or people. 

When a puppy is born, it receives antibodies from its mother's milk to help fight disease.  Once the puppy is weaned, the antibodies are no longer available for defense, so it is important to start vaccinations at 6-8 weeks of age.  Puppies should get a series of distemper/parvo vaccinations every 3-4 weeks until they are at least 16 weeks of age.  During that time the puppy should not leave your yard; no dog parks, pet stores, etc.  Owners can also introduce parvo virus on their shoes or clothing, so avoiding other puppies is important.

Parvo virus can be killed with a bleach solution of 1 part chlorine to 8 parts water.  All washable surfaces should be cleaned and pick up feces from the yard and dispose of them.  If you've had parvo in your environment, we advise that you not bring an unvaccinated animal (puppy) into your house or yard for at least 2 years.

Signs to look for are depression, loss of appetite, vomiting, and bloody diarrhea.  To confirm if a puppy has parvo, a veterinarian can do a quick test.  Often a fecal check is done at the same time to check for worms because a heavy worm infestation can cause similar symptoms.  Unfortunately, some puppies have both worms and parvo at the same time.

If an owner has a puppy that contacts parvo, treatment can cost thousands of dollars.  Waiting to give a distemper/parvo shot to a puppy that is already sick is no good, it only works as prevention - you don't wait until you have the flu to get a flu shot, either.

Treatment can include:

• Hospitalization
• Isolation to prevent the spread of the disease
• 24 hour nursing care
•  IV catheter and fluids
• Anti-nausea medications
• Antibiotics (antibiotics do not work against viruses, but while sick they can be susceptible to other infections)
• Additives to fluids like electrolytes and dextrose

I've seen patients bounce back in as little as 2 days, and I've seen them hospitalized for over a week.  Recovery is variable, but when treated aggressively, most patients do well.  Untreated puppies suffer almost 100% fatality.

Sadly, a lot of puppies are put to sleep because of the cost of treatment.  What's more tragic is that it can be prevented by a series of $20 vaccines. 

Having a pet is both a privilege and a responsibility.  Like children, they cost money.  My hope is that education will help reduce the number of puppies that suffer this epidemic.  Please see your veterinarian if you have a puppy that needs shots (we often hear "The breeder gave him his shots.", but that is usually only single vaccination, insufficient for protection).  If you don't have  a veterinarian, look in the yellow pages, talk to friends and family and ask who they use.

I hope your pet has a long, happy, healthy life with you.

Michele Kendall, RVT

The Big “C”: Your Best Friend Has Been Diagnosed With Cancer.

The Big “C”

Your Best Friend Has Been Diagnosed With Cancer.

            It is the veterinary visit we all dread. Your dog or cat has not been feeling well and you make an appointment with the veterinarian. The veterinarian tells you they are concerned that your pet may have cancer and recommends further diagnostics. You have the first dilemma. Do you have the additional diagnostics performed? What will it change? As an Internal Medicine Veterinary Technician I see this dilemma all too often. My personal experience has taught me that I am more comfortable with any decisions I make when I have more information.

            You elect to proceed with the additional testing. Generally the veterinarian will recommend chest radiographs and an ultrasound. Chest radiographs (x-rays) are done to see if there are any masses in the lungs which would indicate metastatic disease (spread of cancer for the original site to the lungs). Ultrasound is an excellent diagnostic tool that is non-invasive. If any abnormalities are noted, the veterinarian will generally recommend aspirates, either of an organ such as the liver or spleen or lymph nodes or a mass. Once the aspirates have been obtained the waiting begins. The aspirates are usually sent to a diagnostic lab for a pathologist to review.

            In an ideal situation, the veterinarian will call and tell you that the aspirates were normal and there is no evidence of cancer. However, in all too many cases the opposite is true. You get the devastating phone call that the aspirates came back as cancer. You go numb and wonder what will you do?

            Today we have more options than ever in the treatment of cancer in dogs and cats. This does not mean that treatment is the right option for you or your pet. This is a very personal decision and many, many factors may influence your decision. Some of the factors are:

1)      Type of cancer: Despite the many medical breakthroughs some cancers are very aggressive and do not have an effective treatment. Other cancers such as lymphoma can be very responsive to treatment.

2)      Age of your pet: With many cancers such as lymphoma we are seeing young dogs affected. While treatment is not limited to young dogs, some may find that they are less willing to put an older dog or cat through the stress surgery or chemotherapy.

3)      Temperament of your pet: Is your pet fearful or aggressive or are they the life of the party and a trip to the veterinarian’s office is the highlight of their week?  Treatment for any cancer generally involves weekly trips to the clinic for an exam and monitoring blood work.

4)      Finances: While treatments are more widely available they are not inexpensive. When you add up the cost of the chemotherapy, the recheck exams, weekly blood tests and other medications, the cost of treatment can be a deciding factor.

5)      Availability of treatment: Depending on the type of treatment recommended you may have to travel a long distance frequently or medically board your pet. Most commonly this is done with animals receiving radiation therapy.

     While these are not all of the factors you should consider they cover the basics. Everyone has an opinion but the decision is ultimately yours as the owner. Circumstances may change and you may find yourself making a different decision. As an owner of 4 dogs I have come to realize that I cannot treat them all the same. While two of my dogs would treat a weekly trip to the clinic as a holiday, the other two would be stressed and nervous from the moment we walked out the front door of the house. Their reactions to the same circumstances would definitely influence my decision on how to treat them.

     The key is to ask as many questions as you need to be sure that you fully understand your options.  A second opinion is never a bad idea, especially if you have reservations.  And a comfortable working relationship with you veterinary team (both primary and specialty care) will always make the process less stressful.

 

-Mary Meglaughlin

 

 

Happy Easter!

Here at the veterinary hospital, holidays don’t necessarily mean spending time with family and friends.  For us, a lot of our busiest times are during holidays and Easter is no exception.  While most people are aware that chocolate and candies are bad for our furry four legged friends, there are many more dangers to be aware of.  More than just the normal edible items found in our baskets on Easter morning can be catastrophic.

                We recently had a very sweet 10 month old lab mix named Gus at our facility.  Gus had not been feeling well and presented to the clinic for vomiting and lethargy.  Upon an ultrasound examination, it was determined that Gus had a gastrointestinal obstruction.  Some foreign material was lodged in his stomach preventing anything from moving through.

Gus was taken to emergency surgery that night and we were very surprised by what we found.  It turns out Gus had eaten a stuffed animal, but not just any stuffed animal.  He ate an entire stuffed bunny rabbit completely whole!  On top of that, Gus also chewed up and ate part of a teddy bear.  Gus may still be a baby, but it is important to have supervised play time with your pet and any toys.  Even animals that are older and have never eaten things in the past have still surprised us and their owners!

If you are ever in question over what your pet may have eaten, it is always best to call your regular veterinary hospital or Triangle Veterinary Referral Hospital if it is after hours, than to wait and see if they will be alright.  Depending on what was ingested, we may be able to induce vomiting or suggest other preventative treatments.  We hope everyone has a happy and healthy Easter!

 

-Kristen Schoen, RVT

Hurricane Sandy Relief

Visit us on Saturday, December 8th from 10am - 2pm for a pet portrait with Santa (Santa is being assisted by our own Dr Grafinger this year).  Just make a $15 donation, and have a wonderful keepsake! 

All proceeds benefit Hurricane Sandy relief efforts.  Call (919) 489-0615 to reserve a time slot, or just walk in on the day of.

A Special Student

 

 

-"Are you a vet student from NC State?"

-"No - I am just a high school student taking a gap year before university."

- "Really! I would never have guessed...."

 

            And thus my externship began at TVRH, and not once have I regretted my decision to spend a year under the guidance of Dr. Grafinger and his admirable team.  Spurred by my interest in biology and medicine, I began shadowing Dr. Grafinger in May 2012 during my senior year at Durham Academy.  Keen on learning how medicine and science are truly applied in the world around me, I viewed shadowing at the hospital as a way to explore the realms of emergency surgery while gaining work experience with animals and exposing myself to the atmosphere of an emergency hospital.  Barely eighteen and inexperienced in the field, I knew that to be granted such a special opportunity was rare and invaluable.  Dr. Grafinger took a risk by allowing someone as young and untrained as myself behind-the-scenes in such a hectic and unpredictable field, and, everyday, I hope that he and his team have not been disillusioned by their choice. 

            From the moment I began working with the vets and techs at TVRH, I have felt welcomed in every single way.  Rather than viewing me as an intrusion or burden, everyone at the vet has embraced my presence and demonstrated kindness, sincerity, and patience - qualities that I have found absolutely priceless.  Knowing their willingness to help me understand, I feel free to ask questions without the worry of being judged or criticized for my ignorance.  Even when procedures are so new to me that I am at a loss of questions, I have found that simply watching in silence can be the most valuable way to learn.  Thus, whether shadowing in surgery or helping to restrain an animal, I experience everything as though I were a student with a personal mentor; from the preparatory work of anesthetics and sterilization to the actual incisions and operations, I am continually exposed not only to various techniques and procedures, but also to the importance of teamwork and trust between colleagues, and the dedication and strength required to work under demanding conditions.

            By the time June arrives and it is time for me to leave, I will have learned so much more than anyone will ever realize.  Every day, I think to myself how thank you seem such empty and lifeless words compared to the gratitude I feel towards everyone at the vet, and I wonder how I will ever repay everything that I have received over this wonderful year.  Yet, for now, I will let myself relish every priceless moment I spend with TVRH because, thankfully, I know I still have many months ahead of me. 

           

 Submitted by: Simone Robinson

Vet Tech Week

We all come from different backgrounds, different places….but chances are we were the little kid who loved animals and were always trying to bring home another one, even the sick ones, because we wanted to make them better.  We are veterinary technicians, veterinary assistants, animal health care workers….whatever the title, we are caregivers.  We are the ones who care for your pets when they are in the veterinary hospital or clinic. 

Most people don’t really know what a veterinary technician does.  What you see is not necessarily what you are getting.  You may think we just hold animals, or take temperatures and weigh them…..but what goes on behind the scenes is what makes us who we are.  We are nurses, phlebotomists, anesthesiologists, surgery assistant’s lab technicians, x-ray technicians, pharmacists, client educators, nutritionists, cage cleaners, groomers, a warm touch when they are scared.  We often work long hours, staying late when we’re needed, we often think about our patients even after we’ve left work.  We are the ones who keep them healthy and nurse them back to health when they are sick or injured.  We get attached to them, we get excited when they get better and we are sad when they don’t. 

It doesn’t matter what part of veterinary care we are involved in, zoos, academia, research, small animal, large animal….. we all want what is best for them.  We all want to make a difference and help provide the best quality of life we can for our fuzzy friends and regardless of how many backaches, headaches, or heartaches we endure in our challenging job, this is still such a rewarding career.  We love what we do.  We take pride in our work and truly enjoy being caregivers for your pets.  We are veterinary technicians.

Michelle Schoepper RVT

 

Dr Grafinger's sea turtle adventure

 I was recently invited to NCSU school of Veterinary Medicine to perform surgery on a Loggerhead sea turtle rescued off the coast of North Carolina.   The sea turtle had a crushing injury to her carapace and a severely lacerated right front flipper.   Her carapace or shell injury was the likely result of a boat collision.  Her flipper laceration was secondary to becoming entangled in a crab pot line.  The turtle’s name is Nichols and she was rescued by the Karen Beasley SeaTurtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center.

damaged right front flipper

damaged carapace

 

The Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescueand Rehabilitation Center (KBSTRRC) is a nonprofit organization staffed by volunteers lead by Jean Beasley, in Topsail Beach, NC. Their mission is to successfully rehabilitate and release injured or sick sea turtles from the wild.  Since 1996, 152 sea turtles have undergone successful rehabilitation at the center and have been released. Currently, the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center has the capability to treat and care for ~15-20 injured or sick sea turtles at one time.   They are currently transitioning into a new facility where they can house and treat many more injured turtles.  The facility is now under construction.

The most common sea turtle species found off the coast of NC include: Loggerhead (Carettacaretta), Green (Chelonia mydas), and Kemp’s Ridley (Lepidochelys kempi).

Kemp's Ridley

The Kemp’s Ridley is considered the world’s most endangered sea turtle, and has been listed as an endangered species since 1970.  An adult Kemp’s Ridley measures 24 to 28 inches (62-70 cm) in carapace length and weighs between 77 and 100 pounds (35-45 kg).  The Kemp’s Ridley is the smallest of the local N.C sea turtles.

 

 

Green

Green sea turtles are another endangered species found around the world.  They nest in significant numbers on the east coast of Florida, as well as NC. The green turtle is the largest member of the Cheloniidae family. An average adult female green turtle can have a three foot carapace length, and weigh close to300 pounds. The largest green sea turtle ever found was an adult male with a carapace length over 5 feet.

 

Loggerhead

Loggerhead sea turtles are the most prevalent species in NC waters and they are the most common species treated at the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center. While all other species of sea turtles found near the U.S. coastline are listed as endangered, the loggerhead is classified as threatened.  Adult loggerheads weigh up to 350 pounds when fully grown, with a carapace length of ~32 to 41 inches long (82-105cm).

        Sea turtles spend the majority of their life in the ocean, and only come ashore when they are nesting or sick/injured.   They are often injured by boaters, because sea turtles must surface to breathe.   In NC, boating injuries seem to be most prevalent in the late spring to early fall.  Female turtles migrate closer to shore to nest during this time.  Boating accidents frequently result in severe carapace or plastron fractures, flipper lacerations, head trauma, etc.   Turtles also frequently become entangled in fishing line, crab traps, rope and fishing nets, which can result in severe lacerations or even amputations of flippers.    

      Complete or partial flipper amputations were the most common forms of treatment for severe flipper lacerations in the past.   If the amputee is a male sea turtle, the prognosis for losing a rear flipper is better than losing a front flipper since they hold onto females during breeding. On the contrary, females are better off losing a front flipper since the rear flippers are essential for digging nests in the sand.   Female turtles can not dig a hole of appropriate depth with only one hind flipper.  It has been shown that navigation and swimming is not affected by the loss of one flipper.   

I have been involved in multiple surgical sea turtle procedures for KBSTRRC.  Shell or carapace fractures are treated by stabilizing the shell with stainless steel plates and screws.  Many times the broken shell becomes nonviable or necrotic and is debrided along with dead soft tissue.  Overtime the healing new shell and soft tissue fill-in the space.   Head injuries are also addressed by repairing associated soft tissue or applying bone plates to the skull.  I have also repaired or salvaged severe lacerations in these turtles instead of complete or partial amputations.   Primary repair of a severe flipper laceration gives the turtle the best chance of success once released in the wild to nest or breed.  It is probable the same turtle could have another injury to a flipper over time. 

I have reconstructed two flippers in Sea turtles in the past.  I repaired a near full thickness back flipper laceration on a Loggerhead turtle (Bunswick II) who was completely rehabilitated.  He was released approximately 1 year post-injury with nearly normal flipper function.    A partial amputation was performed on a Kemps Ridley sea turtle (Briggy) because the end of the flipper could be preserved.  However I used some of the viable skin to create a skin flap to reconstruct the remaining flipper.  He was rehabilitated and released nearly a year later as well.   Both cases were reported in the Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine in 2009.  The journal discusses each case in more detail, and is listed below.

 

I recently repaired Nichols flipper laceration in the same manner as Brunswick II. His bones were pulled together with suture (Toggled) and then the soft tissue was repaired. My counterpart in surgery Dr. Roe debrided and cleaned his Carapace injury. The carapace wound will be allowed to heal by second intention (allow his body to repair the wound over time). Last report is he has been doing well. However, some of the sutures have loosened which toggled his bones back together. I suspect it will continue to stabilize with scar tissue over time, and hopefully he will be released as well. 

Simon and Grafinger viewing CT results

CT of flipper

Nichols after surgery

 

You can check on status of Nichols if you visit the www.seaturtlehospital.org website; just click on Nichols.   You can also review past histories of the other turtles rehabilitated (Briggy, Brunswick II, etc.).  Consider adopting a turtle and contributing to the sea turtle hospital by volunteering or making a financial donation.    They do wonderful work and continue to give each and every sea turtle a fighting chance. 

 

Mike Grafinger, DVM, DACVS

 

_________________________________________________________________________

 

J Zoo Wildl Med. 2009 Dec;40(4):744-51

Surgical repair of severe flipper lacerations in a loggerhead, Caretta caretta, and a Kemp's ridley, Lepidochelys kempii, sea turtle.

Church ML, Grafinger MS, Harms CA, Lewbart GA, Christian LS, Beasley JF.

Source

Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine at North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27606, USA. dr.fauna@gmail.com

Abstract

A loggerhead, Caretta caretta, and a Kemp's ridley, Lepidochelys kempii, sea turtle were presented to the North Carolina State University, College of Veterinary Medicine for evaluation of distal flipper injuries. The goal for both animals at presentation was to preserve limb function and avoid complete amputation. A severe full-thickness flipper laceration was successfully reapposed in the first case, and a rotational flap was used to cover exposed tissue in the second case. Limb function was improved and complete amputations were avoided in both turtles.

 

Bake Sale!!

TRIANGLE VETERINARY REFERRAL HOSPITAL BAKE SALE TO BENEFIT PAWS4EVER!!

Please come and support our fundraising efforts for Paws4Ever and satisfy your sweet tooth at the same time!!!  We are raising money to donate to this wonderful organization!   We will sell a variety of yummy sweets at TVRH (608 Morreene Rd. Durham, NC) this Sunday September 30 from 9am until 3pm.  Please consider contributing to Paws4Ever and their goal of helping all animals in need!  The following items will be available for purchase:

COOKIES

BROWNIES

CUPCAKES

CHEESECAKE

PEANUT BUTTER BALLS

Please help support us in this great cause!!!!  Thank you in advance!

Paws4Ever will hold their 7^th annual Walk for Animal Protection on Saturday October 6, 2012 from 10am-2pm at Southern Village in Chapel Hill.  Please come visit us at our booth!