This camel had no humps
Ioften get asked: ‘‘What is the most unusual animal you have treated?’’ Well, there are lizards, turtles and hamsters – small rotund biting mice-like creatures seen hanging from vet’s fingers all over England.
But what about the camels I got called to in Australia? Pardon my ignorance at the time, but I didn’t know then there were any camels in Australia.
These creatures are amazing. The soles of their feet are as large as the largest dinner plate you can imagine and look to be made of thick black ‘‘rubber’’. Their necks are so long they can whip around and bite you if you are standing at their rear end.
I guess most people have seen them at a zoo. But imagine what I thought when I got a call to castrate one. You know those ever-soattractive (not) nose piercings you see on the side of the nose, well they do that to camels and attach a small leather string to it and ‘‘Bob’s your uncle’’
– one completely controlled camel. (Think of that, parents and teachers).
Just say the word ‘‘hooosh’’ and give a gentle tug and they will sit down.
It was a blazing hot day and we seemed to drive for miles until we came to a small clearing off the road with a garage converted in to a small home of sorts. And there was the patient waiting, anxiously.
Anaesthetising a camel is a bit different and there was no ducking back to get something you had forgotten. But it all went smoothly and he was soon sound asleep in the sun.
The surgery went fine as the procedure is much like a horse, but on a bigger scale (that is an understatement). After a short time he sat up and was looking around wondering what everyone was looking at. I, on the other hand, was relieved, as these guys are pretty valuable and it was a first for me.
I remember the owner with can of beer in hand asking: ‘‘Done many of these before?’’ Of course it was much easier to say ‘‘yes’’ once the patient was awake again.
❚ Ringo, a large hairy and loveable mastiff, came in to see us with his concerned owner.
Within a day, Ringo had developed a 7-centimetre-diameter smelly, weeping area of skin on the side of his face and had gone right off his food.
This skin disease is not uncommon in humid conditions and can occur within 24 hours. They are often seen on the side of the face or neck, or on the flank, and often in certain coat types, such as labradors, retrievers, mastiffs, rottweilers and sometimes German shepherds.
The disease has many names, including hot spots, wet eczema, acute moist dermatitis and pyoderma. No-one really knows why they occur and so prevention is not possible. But we do see it as a seasonal occurrence in warmer humid weather.
Treatment needs to be aggressive and as soon as possible. The area can be painful and therefore sedation is sometimes necessary to clean and, if necessary, shave the area.
Treatment involves four things:
❚ Washing the area with an antibacterial skin cleanser
❚ Antibiotics
❚ Anti-inflammatories
❚ Medicated gel or ointment applied several times a day.
We needed to sedate Ringo to shave and clean the area as it was very painful. Twenty-four hours later, the area was dry and he was back to vacuuming up his food and those little hidden tablets. Unfortunately, cats aren’t so easily fooled.
If you do notice one of these wetskin areas developing around their face or rump, then give the vet a call straight away as treatment is so much easier in the early stages.
Remember to make the most of the evenings to go for a walk or sit outside with the cats and enjoy those little things in life.