Santa Cruz, Galapagos
Poor Oso came into the clinic after he had reportedly not been eating for a few days, was limping and beginning to feel quite sick. The Doctors examined Oso’s front limbs to discover the cause of his limping. They quickly noticed that one of Oso’s legs was double its normal size and was full of edema…
Edema refers to fluid under the skin which has a dough-like texture. If you are to press the skin, the impression of your finger will stay there for a short time. Edema can have many causes and sometimes it can be hard to figure out exactly what the cause is. The team continued to examine Oso to try to discover a hint to the possible underlying issue.
1. Dr. Justin, checking biopsy slides. 2. Oso rests while the Doctors take care of her.
The Doctors eventually found a tick under Oso’s elbow which was surrounded by inflamed tissue. The team believed the edema to be caused by a spreading infection due to the tick. After this discovery, they were able to give Oso the treatment he needed and his condition rapidly began to improve. Oso was able to go home that same day, but will return to the clinic for regular checkups over the coming days.
Remember; it is very important to treat your dog against ticks and fleas and check them regularly for the presence of any ticks. Ticks don’t just cause local inflammation – which can become serious if left untreated – but ticks also carry diseases that can be life-threatening. Thankfully for Oso, he was able to get the treatment he needed when he needed it and is expected to make a full recovery.
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