Feb2015_OLD MILL ANIMAL HOSPITAL PET OF THE MONTH
Mystery case pushes Old Mill’s Buttons
True to tradition, the Old Mill Animal Hospital seems to attract a large number of tricky cases, and those animals who present with illnesses and symptoms that don’t quite follow the textbooks!
Well, Buttons the cat was no exception. Buttons presented to us in December completely paralysed yet very painful at the same time. Being the middle of December, tick paralysis was a top consideration, along with other conditions such as a spinal injury, blood clot, poisoning or snake bite.
Most of these were ruled out by diagnostic imaging, blood testing and response to medications, but Buttons simply stayed exactly as he was – paralysed and not listening to the textbooks!
With snake bite, the symptoms usually worsen quite quickly, but with envenomation by some Brown Snakes and Death Adders cats can show limited symptoms for the first 48 hours, before the symptoms progressively worsen. Anyone who has had a pet bitten by a venomous snake will know that they usually become critically ill quite quickly, so keeping an open mind as to the symptoms and possible causes was key. Add to this the fact that Buttons is a completely indoor cat, and we were really puzzled as to how a snake could have possibly gotten to him! But surely enough, after a few days of strong pain relief and supportive care brave Buttons started slowly improving, lapping up the attention and thriving on the gentle brushing he received with every nursing round.
After a week’s stay in hospital, it was clear that we caught the snake bite in time, and Buttons had recovered enough to return home to his dedicated family. Buttons’ case tested everyone’s knowledge but it was his bravery and fight that inspired everyone. Good work Buttons!
Old Mill Animal Hospital
Ph 3425 2222
