The Little Lump With a Big Lesson: Understanding Histiocytomas in Dogs

/0 Comments/in , , /by

Some years ago, we treated a memorable case involving Godzilla, an adorable six-month-old Bulldog pup who developed a peculiar skin growth behind his left foreleg. The lump was button-shaped, hairless, and ulcerated — enough to worry any pet parent.

Why We Can’t Diagnose Lumps Just by Looking

When it comes to skin growths, even experienced vets cannot diagnose a lump purely by sight or touch. Many different conditions look similar on the surface.

In Godzilla’s case, I performed a fine-needle aspirate, using a small needle and syringe to collect cells from the mass. After staining the sample and examining it under a microscope, I was able to make a diagnosis. (If this test is inconclusive, we send samples to a laboratory for further analysis.)

The Diagnosis: Histiocytoma

Godzilla’s lump turned out to be a histiocytoma — a benign skin tumour. These do not spread to other areas and usually do not cause serious harm. dog skin tumour

Histiocytomas are:

  • Common in young dogs under two years old 
  • Reported more frequently in Bulldogs, Boxers, Bull Terriers, Cocker Spaniels, and Great Danes 
  • But in reality, they can occur in almost any breed 

Do Histiocytomas Go Away on Their Own?

Most histiocytomas resolve naturally within 2–3 months. However, removal is recommended if they:

  • Become infected 
  • Grow large 
  • Cause discomfort or irritation 
  • Show features suspicious for the rare malignant form (Malignant Fibrous Histiocytoma) 

In these cases, the growth is surgically removed and often sent to a specialist pathologist for confirmation.

A Reminder to All Pet Parents

Always have any new lump or bump examined by your vet. It is not possible to determine exactly what a mass is simply by looking or feeling it.

What Happened to Godzilla?

Godzilla’s histiocytoma needed to be removed — and we’re pleased to share that he made an excellent recovery. Thank you to Ashley Liu (Godzilla’s mom) for the beautiful collage of his journey.

Till next time,
 Dr Larry
 Bruma Lake Veterinary Clinic

Understanding Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease — Rollo’s Story

/1 Comment/in , , , /by

When Rollo, a much-loved male cat, arrived at the clinic recently, he was in serious trouble. He was blocked — meaning a stone in his urethra had prevented him from passing urine. This is one of the most dangerous emergencies we see in male cats and forms part of what we call Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD).

A urethral blockage is not something that can wait. Even a few hours can lead to:

  • Life-threatening electrolyte disturbances
  • Acute kidney failure
  • Bladder rupture
  • Severe pain and shock 

Longer-term complications may include chronic kidney disease and a hypotonic bladder (a bladder that can no longer contract effectively).

Fortunately, Rollo’s owner recognised the danger early and brought him in immediately — which saved his life.

How We Treated Rollo

On examination, it was clear that Rollo’s bladder was dangerously enlarged and he was unable to urinate at all — a red-flag emergency.

Here’s what we did:

  1. Cleared the blockage to allow urine to pass. 
  2. Passed a urinary catheter, which we stitched in place to keep it secure. 
  3. Started IV fluids to support his kidneys and flush out crystals. 
  4. Placed him in a collar so he can’t pull out the catheter. 
  5. Ran blood tests to check his kidney function and electrolyte levels. 
  6. Admitted him to hospital for monitoring. 

The catheter will stay in for about two days to keep the bladder empty and prevent it from overstretching — an important step in avoiding a hypotonic bladder later. After removal, Rollo will stay with us for one more day to ensure he doesn’t block again.

Thankfully, he is doing really well so far.

What Is FLUTD?

Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD) refers to a group of conditions that affect the bladder and urethra in cats. Male cats are particularly at risk because their urethra is narrow and more easily obstructed.

There are several different forms of FLUTD, including:

1. Urethral Obstruction (Blocked Cat)

Often caused by crystals, mucus plugs, or stones that block urine flow. This is always an emergency.

2. Urolithiasis (Bladder or Urethral Stones)

Stones can irritate the bladder, cause bleeding, or lead to full obstruction — as in Rollo’s case.

3. Feline Idiopathic Cystitis (FIC)

A very common condition linked to inflammation, stress, and environmental factors. Symptoms mimic an infection but occur without bacteria.This disease also occurs in female cats.

4. Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

More common in older cats or those with other health conditions like kidney disease or diabetes.

5. Urethral Spasm

Muscle spasms around the urethra can make urination painful or difficult.

6. Trauma or Anatomical Abnormalities

Less common but still part of FLUTD.

Signs of FLUTD You Should Never Ignore

Contact a vet immediately if you notice:

  • Straining in the litter box
  • Producing only drops of urine
  • Pain or crying while urinating
  • Frequent trips to the litter box with little output
  • Blood in the urine
  • Excessive licking of the genital area
  • Vomiting, lethargy, or collapse (late, severe signs) 

For male cats, straining to urinate is always an emergency. Even if they produce a few drops, they may still be partially blocked.

Can FLUTD Be Prevented?

In many cases, yes — especially when caused by crystals or inflammation.

Prevention may include:

  • Monitoring for early symptoms
  • Prescription urinary diets
  • Improving food quality, as less nutritious and unbalanced diets increase the incidence of crystals in the urine and hence blockages
  • Increasing water intake
  • Weight management
  • Reducing stress and improving environmental enrichment
  • Regular veterinary checks including urine evaluation and blood tests 

Your vet will recommend a long-term plan based on which form of FLUTD your cat has.

Rollo’s Prognosis

Thanks to early treatment, Rollo is recovering beautifully. He will stay with us for monitoring after catheter removal to ensure he doesn’t re-block — a risk in the first few days.

His story is a powerful reminder: If your male cat is struggling to urinate, act fast. It truly can be the difference between life and death.

Treating Canine Parvovirus: What Every Pet Owner Should Know

/0 Comments/in , , /by

In our previous article, we discussed how dangerous Canine Parvovirus (Parvo) is for dogs. Unfortunately, there is still no cure — but with the right veterinary care, many dogs can survive and recover fully.

How Parvovirus Is Treated

Treatment for Parvovirus focuses on intensive supportive care and managing the complications caused by the infection. This typically includes:

  • Hospitalisation and intravenous fluids to correct dehydration and restore electrolyte balance
  • Anti-nausea medication to reduce vomiting and improve comfort
  • Antibiotics to protect against secondary bacterial infections
  • Nutritional support, including feeding tubes if a dog is unable to eat on its own
  • Close monitoring of vital lab values, including blood glucose, potassium, serum protein, white blood cells, and red blood cells

Abnormalities in these parameters can be addressed as needed.

We often add potassium and glucose to intravenous fluids to prevent life-threatening low levels of both, as these are the most common metabolic problems we see in Parvo cases.

We generally do not give anti-diarrhoeal medication, as it’s important for the dog to pass the virus-laden stool and clear harmful material from the intestines.

Worms — whether visible in the stool or not — can worsen the disease, so all Parvo cases are dewormed as part of their treatment plan.

Parvo is a serious illness that requires constant attention, often over several days of hospital care.

New Developments in Parvo Treatment

In recent years, monoclonal antibody therapy has emerged as a promising new treatment in some parts of the world. While results are encouraging, access remains limited and the cost can be high.

For most dogs, early, aggressive supportive care continues to offer the best chance of survival.

Why Early Treatment Matters

Dogs infected with Parvovirus can deteriorate very quickly — sometimes within hours. The sooner treatment begins, the better the outcome.

Puppies and small-breed dogs are particularly vulnerable due to their size, weaker immune systems, and lower fluid reserves.

Prevention Is Always Better

While modern veterinary medicine can save many dogs from Parvo, vaccination remains the most effective protection.
 It is safe, affordable, and far less costly than emergency hospitalisation.

If your dog’s vaccinations aren’t up to date, now is the time to act.

Bruma Lake Vet
1 Glanville Avenue, Cyrildene
Call 011 622 8813 or WhatsApp 065 977 1082 to book your dog’s vaccinations or to learn more about Parvovirus prevention.

Dog Poisoning: What Every Pet Owner Should Know

/0 Comments/in , , /by

Dog poisoning is a serious and often fatal emergency that can happen in any neighbourhood. Sadly, poisons such as Aldicarb (commonly known as “Two Step”) are still being used illegally — sometimes to target dogs before break-ins.

Even tiny amounts of these substances can be deadly, and dogs can die within minutes of ingestion if not treated immediately. Knowing what to look for — and how to respond — can save your pet’s life.

Common Symptoms of Poisoning in Dogs

If your dog suddenly becomes ill, look out for the following warning signs:

  • Foaming at the mouth
  • Vomiting or diarrhoea
  • Severe abdominal pain
  • Muscle twitching or spasms
  • Weakness, collapse, or coma
  • Breathing difficulties
  • Sudden changes in behaviour
  • Constricted or dilated pupils

If you suspect poisoning, seek veterinary help immediately — every minute counts.

What To Do in an Emergency

  • Get to a veterinarian right away. Do not wait for symptoms to worsen.
  • Keep pets and children indoors until the property has been checked.
  • Wear gloves when handling your pet — saliva or vomit can still be toxic.
  • Search your yard or surroundings for suspicious food or bait.
  • Clean contaminated areas with slaked lime and water (use gloves).
  • Alert your security company or neighbourhood watch.
  • Report the incident to the police so it can be properly documented.

Prevention Tips

  • Keep dogs indoors at night whenever possible.
  • Check your property regularly for unfamiliar or suspicious food.
  • Warn neighbours about poisoning risks in your area.
  • Never use “Two Step” or Aldicarb for pest control — it’s illegal and deadly to pets, wildlife, and people.
  • Aldicarb is often sold unlabelled as rat poison by hawkers, so it’s important never to buy any such products.

A Final Word

Poisoning causes intense suffering, and even with emergency treatment, survival is not guaranteed. Prevention and vigilance are the best ways to protect your pets.

If you ever suspect poisoning, act fast — immediate veterinary care can make all the difference.

Bruma Lake Vet
1 Glanville Avenue, Cyrildene
Call 011 622 8813 or WhatsApp 065 977 1082 for emergency assistance or advice.