Here are the two root tips along with an additional root tip from another area of the dog, (x-rays are not included), which had also had an improper extraction performed.
This cat found a large piece of spearmint gum, by accident. The large wad was removed with clippers. Although this cat only suffered the annoyance and slight discomfort of the gum pulling on his hair, gum which contains Xylitol, (sugarless varieties), are highly toxic to dogs and cats. Always wrap used gum in paper and throw in the trash in the interest of your pets safety and also with respect to common courtesy and someone else's pet...or shoe...or child, etc...
This dog came in for limping on it's hind leg. X-rays show a normal hip on one side and moderate-severe degenerative arthritis on the other. A close up of the arthritic hip is included in this post. Hip dysplasia can affect one or both hips in dogs. If kept thin, most dogs with mild dysplasia can lead normal lives. Unfortunately, this dog is only 4 years old and is symptomatic. The two most likely scenarios for this dog down the road are either a total hip replacement or a femoral head ostectomy. With a hip replacement, an artificial hip is inserted where the bad one is and the dog essentially has a normal joint. With the ostectomy, the bad hip is removed and the defect is allowed to heal naturally with a tendinous scar. Dogs with ostectomies do not have a normal gait as the joint is no longer a ball/socket arrangement, but they are no longer painful. It is considered a salvage procedure for owners who cannot afford a hip replacement but want their dog to be pain-free. No action is necessary though until medical and/or nutritional, (and nutraceutical), treatment no longer controls the signs of the disease.
A couple months ago, a gentleman came in with his English Bulldog, Prissy, for evaluation for breeding. She was in heat and he wanted her bred but had experienced problems with his previous litter. He had previously had another dog who had been bred and, when it came time to have her puppies, she could not have them naturally. Although he went to his vet, the problem was not recognized and, tragically, both mother and puppies died, (what an awful way to go and what a sad experience for this man). He had heard that we had experience with canine reproduction and wanted to try with his favorite girl, who was happily snorting and wagging her butt as we talked.
English Bulldogs usually have difficulties giving birth for 3 main reasons: First, they have enormous heads. Secondly, they have narrow pelvises which don't match their heads, (think of sticking a bowling ball up your nostril), and finally, they have very poor abdominal muscles for pushing out babies, (poor abdominal muscle tone is why they have those big, pendulous bellies...definitely not Zac Efron, think John Goodman). It was my recommendation we opt for an elective c-section in Prissy and he was delighted that we could do this.
After being successfully bred, she was brought in for a puppy count. She was very big and we felt she had at least 5 puppies and probably 1 more. We went over specific things to look for and scheduled a date for the surgery. Lo and behold, on Saturday, 2 days before her due date, the owner contacted me to tell me that she was showing the signs of early labor I had told him to look for, (a sudden drop in temperature of 2 degrees, shedding of mucous plugs and increased activity). Sure enough, it was time so on Saturday afternoon, Prissy had her c-section and produced 7 healthy babies, (2 boys and 5 girls). Within an hour of surgery the puppies were nursing and Mom was checking out her new brood. Mom and babies did well and we took this picture shortly before the family went home. It was a fantastic way to start the weekend.
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