Mona Limpa and Nigel, the vegetarian boa constrictor
Dear Dr. Forsythe: My six-pound Pomeranian has been limping for the last couple months and even crying out in pain at home. I have taken her into the vet for a check up, but whenever she gets into the vet’s office, she acts like nothing is wrong. I tell the doctor that, when at home, she has an almost constant limp in her rear leg. Yet when the vet pulls and tugs on the leg, Mona just stares straight ahead like she doesn’t feel a thing. This has now happened three times, and I’m starting to think I’m going crazy (and the vet is even looking at me a little funny too). What could be going on? Why does Mona limp at home and favor her back leg and then act like a happy little puppy in front of the doctor? Is she doing this to play me? Is there something about the veterinarian’s office that suddenly makes her feel better or more relaxed? – Feeling crazy in Petaluma
Dear Crazy: No, darling you are not crazy, and neither is your dog. Pets often stop doing whatever they were doing at home the minute they enter the veterinary office. This is usually due to an epinephrine release that happens with excitement: pets with broken legs can place weight on them, animals with gushing wounds stop bleeding, and animals that were screaming or yelling are more calm or quiet. Sometimes, pets that are brought in for euthanasia because they have been “at death’s door” start to jump around and act like puppies in order to get a reprieve from death. This is all part of what veterinarians see on a monthly basis. So while Mona may not be limping in front of you and her vet, there is most certainly something wrong with her if she has a consistent limp at home. I would suggest that you video record her with a cell phone or camera at home in private and show the recording to your veterinarian. Further I would have the doctor work the case up as if he or she had seen the limp herself. In other words, take into account this “miraculous” reprieve at the veterinary clinic and move forward with imaging of the problem – sometimes an x-ray is worth a thousand words. And with this little fur ball of yours, I’ll bet this is the case. Good luck. – Dr. F
Dear Dr. Forsythe: My niece recently started veterinary college in the Midwest. She told me that there are only six men in her entire veterinary class. She was also telling me that in the old pictures of the first classes that graduated there were no women admitted to the university at all. It was all men for the first decade. What do you think of this big shift in the profession from all men to mostly women? – B. T. Santa Rosa
Dear B.T.: I think it shows what a demanding, desirable and wonderful profession veterinary medicine is. Women becoming veterinarians in such high numbers mirrors the vast opportunities and flexibility available within the profession. This is a very challenging yet rewarding career, but there is a huge need for compassion and empathy as well as nurturing with our medical delivery system. Need I say more? People who follow their heart’s desire will find their way into fulfilling and meaningful careers. Women have flooded the field and veterinary patients have been rewarded by their contribution. As a male in the profession, I find myself blessed by this shift and in very good company. Thanks for your question. – Dr. F.
Dear Dr. Forsythe: My boa stopped eating live rats about two months ago and hasn’t swallowed anything since. Last week, I put a small rat in his cage, but it just ran around inside the cage while Nigel stared at it and didn’t even stick his tongue out. I’m worried about him because I can see his backbone now. How can I get my snake to eat? – Chris, Sonoma
Dear Chris: There are many reasons why snakes stop eating, so I recommend you have Nigel checked by a veterinarian. Some serpents develop mouth rot, while others can get parasitic or bacterial infections. Sometimes “husbandry” can also be to blame: this includes the enclosure, heat (or lack of it) and the surface he slithers around on. If all of this is in check, perhaps your boa is just tired of chasing around and killing live prey.
You may want to try “stunning” the mouse or rat quickly to immobilize him, and then dropping the “sleeping” rat into the feeding area with Nigel. Often times the still warm, yet non-moving rodent will be much more tempting and tasty to your reptile than a jiggling, hopping and moving target is. My son’s Ball Python “Lenny” prefers a slightly dead, yet still warm rat to devour every month – and I chalk this up to modern day reptiles just getting more and more spoiled by us humans. Good luck with your Boa! – Dr. F
