Get Ready for Your Close-ups! It’s X-ray Contest Time
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Snake, Snake, Mouse
Laura Chenault, DVM, and Scott Johnson, DVM, of the Animal Emergency Clinic of Northwest Austin in Austin, Texas, submitted the 2006 grand prize winning X-ray of a boa constrictor that ate a pit viper that ate a mouse.
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Veterinary Practice News’ third annual radiograph contest on the weird things vets find in animals will feature a new category especially for students.
Eklin Medical Systems of Santa Clara, Calif., returns as sponsor of the popular “You Found What?” contest.
Contestants will compete in two categories, professional and student.
All entries must be submitted electronically to sperry@bowtieinc.com, with the e-mail subject field specifying CONTEST.
Student entries must be made using digital radiography equipment.
Entries must be received by Feb. 29. Winners will be announced in the June issue of Veterinary Practice News and will receive digital cameras.
“We are excited to sponsor the third annual Eklin Challenge,” said Gary R. Cantu, Eklin’s president and chief executive officer. “We are especially pleased to be offering a student category.
“With the growing presence of digital radiography in the majority of U.S. veterinary medical colleges, we are seeing a new wave of veterinarians entering the marketplace with digital training. They will change the way veterinary care is practiced. “I look forward to seeing the interesting cases they submit.”
Statistics reported by pet-health insurance provider Veterinary Pet Insurance of Brea, Calif., attest to the variety of objects animals get into.
Socks top the list, followed closely by underwear and pantyhose. Rocks and balls come in at numbers four and five on the list, keeping with previous contest results.
Surgeries to remove such items can cost thousands of dollars, pet health insurers point out. Even if objects’ progress is only followed radiographically in hopes they will pass naturally, the bills add up.
Jack Stephens, DVM, president and founder of Pet’s Best Insurance of Boise, Idaho, remembers one holiday disaster in particular from his days in practice.
“A Yorkie jumped up into the refrigerator without anyone knowing it, and with the door closed he gorged on left-over turkey,” Dr. Stephens said. “When the owners found him, he had hypothermia and required emergency care to pump his stomach of excess food. That was an expensive holiday for the family.”
Here’s hoping that your holidays are happy and filled with great radiographic opportunities.
Marilyn Iturri, Editor
miturri@bowtieinc.com
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