Sarah and Merlin to the vet today. He used to come to the house, and I miss that. Now he works 45 minutes away, so we haul over there for visits.

Merlin has Eosinophilic Ulcer, also called rodent ulcer.

Eosinophilic ulcer in a cat can be a frustrating problem to eliminate. The lesion results from a localized invasion of a type of white blood cell called an EOSINOPHIL. A type of white blood cell found in vertebrate blood, containing cytoplasmic granules that are easily stained by eosin or other acid dyes, eosinophils often are associated with and invade tissues that are being physically irritated or are undergoing an allergic reaction. When large numbers of eosinophils locally invade the tissues they interfere with normal physiological processes and as a result scar tissue can form, microcirculation is impeded, and inflammatory cells migrate to the area in an attempt to heal the damage. Tissue destruction results in death of cells and, in the case of “rodent ulcer” in a cat, there can be a disfiguring ulceration of the upper lip. In severe cases the inside of the oral cavity and the lower lip may be involved.

He got treated in April and May and it’s discouraging that it has returned. He got a cortisone shot and we got one for me to give him in three weeks. He also got his waxy ears and his pee pee looked at. All good. He lost over two pounds though, not feeling food and the mouth sores hurting, before we could get him in. He needed to lose weight, but not this way.

Sarah was due her three years shots. We also had him look at a rogue nail on her paw. Because she is a mutant, with extra toes, some of that tissue is in the wrong spot and so she has a nail growing upward below one of her toes. I clipped it last time and the vet says that’s the ticket. If she’s ever in for a procedure, he’ll remove it permanently but for now, trim as necessary.

She also got her butt shaved again. Miss Rolly Polly can’t keep it clean. Some salve for now. He suggests God Bond powder to keep her ass dry and to limit any fecal matter sticking. She’s worried a bare spot on one paw due to her frustration with not being clean. Vet suggested using Ban roll-on on the spot to make it unattractive to lick and bit.

They’re both home now and all is good.

An industrial complex in Iraq has quadrupled its employment and productivity over the last three months, and a team from Multi-National Division – Center is helping the companies keep their labor force healthy.

Army Capt. Rory Carolan, a veterinarian from Maryland, and soldiers from the 3rd Infantry Division’s 1st Battalion, 10th Field Artillery, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, treated more than 250 donkeys recently that will be used in the absence of motorized vehicles at the Narhwan Brick Factory Complex.

Healthy donkeys were needed for the increase in hauling and to support production.

Army Lt. Col. Bruce Baker, an economist with the civil affairs team, G9, 3rd Infantry Division, who led the initiative, realized that healthy donkeys were needed after heavy fuel oil became available to fire the kilns and bring the brick factory complex to full operating capacity.

After coalition forces engaged the Iraqi energy ministry on behalf of business owners at the complex to deliver heavy fuel oil, employment rose from 3,500 to 15,000. The donkeys became essential to haul straw and mud, as well as the newly-formed bricks. The challenge for Baker was to get the mostly malnourished donkeys able to keep up with the work the newly available oil was going to make.

Carolan, senior veterinarian and agriculture adviser with the civil affairs team, G9, 3rd Infantry Division, specializes in treating equine species – horses, ponies and donkeys. After a briefing from Baker, Carolan traveled to Narhwan to hold the clinic.

“This Narhwan clinic was unique, given the number of donkeys to be examined and treated,” he said. “Many of the donkeys were malnourished and obviously mistreated. Some suffered from pressure sores, hematomas and neglect. Some collapsed of exhaustion and died before our eyes.

“Others were well-cared-for, well-fed and well-groomed by owners who respected their worth,” he said.

Carolan, with the help of soldiers from 1-10th FA, examined, wormed, measured and weighed the donkeys. More donkeys by the hundreds are waiting to be treated in follow-on clinics.

“The vet clinic was the right thing to do before an increased volume of brick orders kicked in,” Carolan said. “In our clinic, we were able to examine and treat donkeys in need of care. We were able to encourage owners giving excellent care to their donkeys. We were able to teach the best way of care and feeding donkeys.

“That is where we can have the most impact, teaching the owners how to properly feed and care for the animals,” he continued. “Higher production at the factories will be achieved with the improved standards of care employed.”

DVIDS