Page 8 - Sentinel Novemberl 2017

PET TALK Continued from page 7 THE RESCUE OF ROCKETTE
THE RACCOON
ing hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and liver failure. If a pet
has been known to have recently ingested xylitol it needs to be Shannon Buss...
seen by the veterinarian right away as care given quickly may
save your pet’s life. On a recent Friday evening,
we heard a noise outside in
Chocolate contains two active ingredients, caffeine and theo- our front yard. My husband
bromine, that may cause heart abnormalities – these could lead went to check it out and saw a
to a fatal arrhythmia. Chocolate also contains quite a bit of fat raccoon with the leg trap on its
that may lead to pancreatitis. The darker and more unsweet- leg dragging it. The next two
ened the chocolate the worse it will be for your pet. If you days we looked all over for the
feel the need to share a sweet with your pet, carob is generally raccoon but could not find it.
considered safe. We feared the worst.

Wrappers from food items may lead to abrasions, obstruction, Sunday night we were sur-
perforation, and pain during passage. Dogs and sometimes cats prised to see the raccoon show
will find food left in rooms, backpacks, and hidden in the box- up on our cameras still drag-
spring (that is where I used to hide my candy). People may not ging the brutal leg trap around.
always want to admit to missing candy because they may not be Again my husband went to
supposed to have it, so if your pet shows any signs of GI upset it look for it but could not find it. This little raccoon had the
is necessary to inquire to all residents if there are any foods they will to survive and my husband had to do something to help
could have eaten that is not part of their regular diet. this poor raccoon out. So
he called Mike Belsky who
Fatty foods (cuttings from steak, grease, butter, cheese, etc.) can loaned him a live animal
cause a severe inflammation of the pancreas called pancreatitis. trap.
This condition may be as mild as poor appetite and occasional
vomiting or may be so severe it can lead to death. About 50 The next several nights we
percent of the time pancreatitis can be associated with an over- waited for the raccoon to
indulgence of fatty foods or a rapid food change. Treatment for return. Again we feared the
this condition will depend on the severity of the clinical signs. worst. Then Tuesday morn-
ing the raccoon returned. We
Bones may become lodged in the mouth, lead to broken teeth, watched anxiously, hoping it
splinter in the intestines and lead to perforation, cause blockage would go into the live trap.
of the intestines and lead to obstruction, or just really hurt as After 45 minutes the rac-
they pass through. It is best not to give any bones, but cooked coon went in.
poultry bones are the worst. Even solid mammal bones can Wednesday my husband
cause problems – I have had to sedate and saw off marrow Marvin took it to the Lark-
bones from around the lower jaw, I have had a dog die after be- spur Animal Hospital, and
ing fed the Christmas hambone and becoming obstructed. they were able to remove
the trap and tend to its
Of course, the biggest risk of feeding these foods is that your injuries. The raccoon’s
pet will become obese. Obesity is certainly the leading cause paw most likely will not
of a shortened lifespan for American pets. We would be happy be viable, but it will have
to make nutritional recommendations for your pet. a second chance at life.
The Colorado Division
If your pet has potentially ingested any inappropriate food of Wildlife also made
items, please call your local Larkspur Pet Hospital at 303-681- this rescue a reality as it
3980 for advice. The sooner your pet gets appropriate care the would have not happened
more likely your pet will have a good outcome. without their okay. The
CDOW released the raccoon back to her home. A huge shout
out to Marvin Cardenas with the Larkspur Animal Hospital and
Mike Belsky, Colorado Division of Wildlife.

The Larkspur Animal Hospital named her Rockette. It was the
first time they have ever helped a raccoon.

LEG TRAPS ARE ILLEGAL IN COLORADO!

Page 8 - November 2017 Perry Park Sentinel