VMDiva

First of all, I have to admit I love putting the word testicle in a title because it tends to make folks squirm. A small dose of genital reality does a person good.

Months ago I castrated a unilateral cryptorchid kitten. Cryptorchidism is a condition where one (unilateral) or both (bilateral) testicles are retained internally instead of descending into the scrotum. During gestational development, the testicular tissue begins to form near the kidney. As the animal grows, the testicle will travel down a pathway to the scrotum. For mostly genetic reasons, some testicles do not descend properly. The condition is more common in dogs than cats and is more prevalent in purebreeds. Retained testicles are sterile and have a greater likelihood of developing cancer overtime given the abnormal temperature the tissue is kept at. Cryptorchidism is typically diagnosed during early puppy and kitten visits.

My patient came in for his surgery at six months of age. The scrotal testicle was removed via a normal castration. The rogue testicle couldn’t be located in the inguinal region so an abdominal incision was made. No testicular tissue, of normal or abnormal appearance, could be located. I certainly believe some form of atypical tissue was present, but ask any veterinarian who has surgically explored an abdomen and he/she will tell you it ain’t easy. Looking for small, sometimes millimeter-sized, pieces of atypical tissue is a challenge because soon after exploring the abdomen small pieces of fat, lymph nodes, and omentum begin to look suspicious. I removed what was probably a small lymph node and finished the surgery. The post-op conversation with his owner covered the likelihood that some testicular tissue was probably remaining and would be near impossible to find.

Jump ahead six months to an appointment with our feline friend. His owner reported he had mounted her arm and softly bit her, a typically sexual or dominance behavior for intact males. My impression as I entered the room was he had reached sexual maturity. His block-like head gave him the regal appearance of a tom cat. And the testosterone dependent spines on his penis were prominent. My friend was still producing testosterone but his owner insisted she didn’t want to pursue any testing or an exploratory surgery at that time.

A month later his owner noted he had begun spraying urine on vertical surfaces. Uh-oh. Urinalysis was normal. We had an in depth discussion that surgery may not yield the elusive testicular tissue and even if it does, the behavior may not stop. Inappropriate elimination can drive even the most determined owners to desperate measures.

Surgery is scheduled for next week. I’ll keep you posted.

A lot happened in the veterinary community this year. Some news was widely published, like the emergence of swine flu and canine influenza, and other things seemed to slip under the radar. Reflecting on the implications of the changing veterinary world over the past year brings clarity and inspiration for 2010. The ever dynamic world of veterinary medicine affects every aspect of the world around it.  Below are some of the headlines we saw this year.

Swine Flu

If you haven’t heard of the pandemic H1N1 influenza virus you’ve been living under a rock. Swine flu emerged in April 2009 with the first cases erupting in Mexico. The first domestic cat with a confirmed case of H1N1 was reported in November 2009 followed  a month later by the first case in a domestic dog. In each of these cases, the pet contracted the influenza virus from its owner. There is no evidence of cat/dog to human transmission. Multiple swine herds were also affected in the United States.

Canine Influenza

If you missed the VMDiva article on canine influenza, read up! Canine influenza was not new in 2009, however, it gained national attention due to the ever expanding reach of the virus. By September 2009, over 30 states had reported cases of canine influenza.

Vetsulin^® No longer Available

Vetsulin^® insulin, produced by Intervet Schering-Plough, was recalled and veterinarians were advised to transition diabetic dogs and cats to alternative insulins. Vetsulin was one of the most widely used insulins in the veterinary field.

California Cities Rush to Ban Cat Declaws

Prior to legislative changes on January 1st, 2010 that would prevent cities and counties from regulating veterinary medicine practices, several California cities banned cat declaws. Included are Berkeley, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, and Beverly Hills. Both the American Veterinary Medical Association and the California Veterinary Medicine Association oppose the bans.

Court Denies Emotional Damages for Pet Loss

In a move that supports pets as property, a California court failed to award emotional damages for the death of a pet. An August 2009 ruling noted, “California law does not allow parents to recover for the loss of companionship of their children, we are constrained not to allow a pet owner to recover for loss of the companionship of a pet.”

Palladia Approved to Treat Inoperable Mast Cell Tumors in Dogs

Palladia (pdf), a new canine chemotherapeutic drug from Pfizer Animal Health, was approved by the FDA in June 2009. This drug is designed to treat mast cell tumors (MCT), a type of skin tumor that commonly metastasizes to the liver and spleen. This is the first veterinary specific chemotherapeutic for dogs on the market.

PETA Protests AVMA at Annual Conference

The annual AVMA conference was held in Seattle this year and PETA protested the aquaculture industry and the veterinary profession in response to the traditional “fish throwing” exhibition performed by the workers from Pike Place Fish Market during the conferences opening ceremonies. PETA representatives contended fish are “intelligent, sensitive animals” that should not be tossed. Author’s Note: The fish are always deceased prior to tossing and are then sold for human consumption.

Polo Horses Die From Drug Compounding Error

Twenty-one polo horses died at a Florida stable this April after they were given the incorrect dosage of a vitamin supplement. A compounding error accompanied by an illegal prescription for the drug catapulted this story into the headlines in April 2009.

“Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.” -Norman Vincent Peale

From VMDiva to you and yours, Merry Christmas!

A Veterinary Medicine magazine article provides some good insights on approaches to puppy socialization. From the article…

The American Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) recently released a position paper outlining the importance of early puppy socialization, preferably before the puppy reaches 12 to 16 weeks old. Four veterinarians with extensive experience discuss early puppy socialization in a roundtable format.

Read the full article.

The University of Pennsylvania’s Matthew J. Ryan Veterinary Hospital is in the News for its free pet loss support group for owners of animals grieving the death of their furry family member.

The loss of a pet affects owners in different ways. The most important thing to remember is there is no right or wrong way to grieve. Some owners grieve by reliving happy memories and others need extra time to adapt to their loss.  For those who need some outside help, a pet bereavement group can provide a circle of friends who understand the emotions associated with the death of a pet. You don’t have to go it alone.

Check out these Pet Loss and Grief Support Websites

• Paws 2 Heaven
• Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement
• Rainbow Bridge