Pets and Vets: Veterinarians in Florida remove 4-pound hairball from tiger

Florida

Doctors in Clearwater, Fla., recently removed a 4-pound fur ball from a tiger name Ty. When the 17-year-old tiger stopped eating, an ultrasound and radiographs revealed the problem.

The fur ball was too large to remove by scope, so Mike Reems, DVM, of BluePearl Veterinary Partners and Don Woodman, DVM, owner of animal Hospital of Northwood, performed surgery on the 400-pound tiger.

“I’m just extremely thankful for the help Dr. Woodman, Dr. Reems and the staff at BluePearl provided,” said Vernon Yates, founder of Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Inc., the organization that takes care of Ty. Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation is a non-profit organization that mainly assists Florida law enforcement with animals that have been seized.

Colorado

A 6-month-old puppy survived being hit by a light rail train in Englewood, Colo. According to reports, the puppy’s leg was nearly severed at the knee, but the heat and pressure of the train is thought to have cauterized the wound, saving her life. The dog, named Jessie—found the morning after her accident—had to have her leg amputated at the hip to remove damaged bone and infected tissue. She is expected to make a full recovery.IowaSoldiers from the 949th Medical Cetachment Veterinary Services based at the Army Reserve Center in Ames, Iowa, were recently deployed to Kuwait, Qatar and Kyrgyzstan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. The unit primarily consists of veterinarians, veterinary technicians and food inspectors who ensure the safety of the military’s food supply, identify and monitor animal diseases and provide veterinary care for government-owned animals. The deployment is expected to last nine months.

Texas

Texas A&M University sadly announced the death of retired American Collie mascot Reveille VII May 30. Reveille was hospitalized earlier in the week and underwent emergency surgery at the university’s Small Animal Hospital at the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. She was 12 years old.The “first lady of Aggieland,” Reville is cared for by the Corps of Cadets Company E-2 and is the highest-ranking member of the corps. The university and the corps are planning to memorialize Reveille VII when students return for the fall semester. She served as mascot from 2001 to 2008.