Southern View: February 18, 2020

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4 Tuesday February 18 2020 Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz SOUTHERN VIEW News McMaster & Heap Veterinary practice Brain tumour in a cat This is a remarkable story where an 13 year old Norwegian Forest cat “ Sashenka” was diagnosed via CT imaging of having a brain tumour, “Meningioma” and successfully had surgery two weeks ago in a specialist hospital in Auckland to remove the tumour. Never in 30 years of being a vet have I had a client willing to proceed to surgery to remove a brain tumour in their pet, plus she survived and is thriving. She’s one very lucky cat with incredibly caring owners who wanted the best possible outcome for their precious cat. Sashenka first presented just before Christmas being a bit “off” - more clingy, vocalising more, seeming to have trouble going up and down stairs, difficulty navigating obstacles, seeming disorientated, scratching the wooden floor boards, pacing, kneading and off balance sometimes. She was a cat always up a tree and she stopped doing this. She wasn’t chasing her treats and started walking in circles. She was never seen seizuring though and continued eating. We examined Sashenka and ran an extensive array of blood and urine tests, X-rays and ultrasound examinations. We saw her 15 times in about three weeks. All testing was basically normal. We tried different medications and she stayed in the hospital on IV fluids but we couldn’t get a of handle on her diagnosis and there was no improvement at home. Her owner saw a different Sashenka than the cat we saw at the clinic. We consulted the services of Feline consultants and specialists but she was deteriorating quickly, having difficulty eating and appeared dull and not responsive to her owners at times. Steroid injections showed improvement but her bizarre behaviours did wax and wane with her worse clinical symptom being close to comatosed. We decided to CT Sashenka to find out what was really going on. We offer MRI (Forte Health) and CT (Pacific Radiology at Lincoln) at McMaster & Heap. The patients are sedated and the images taken from very fancy expensive computors. It’s painless for the pet and can give us many answers that other means of testing can’t deliver. The radiologist diagnosed Sashenka with a large intracranial brain lesion , most probably a meningioma. Other differentials included a glioma or astrocytoma. We consulted an experienced surgical team in Auckland who were keen to take over her case. After lengthy discussions with the owners it was decided to push forward with brain surgery, so Sashenka and her devoted owners headed to Auckland. Brain surgery isn’t a walk in the park and more tests had to be carried out on Sashenka. She was getting very used to needles now and thermometers?? She had an MRI before the surgery and a CT after the surgery to confirm position of the titanium screws used to secure her cranium back in place. She received a blood transfusion on the day of the surgery and had an oesophageal feeding tube placed so that we were able to supply her nutritionally post surgery, in case she didn’t feel like eating. Once the tumour was removed it measured 2.6cm x 3cm x 1.2cm - quite sizeable. She made an excellent recovery from her anaesthetic and stayed in the specialist hospital to be closely monitored for a few days. She had very specific discharge instructions including cage confinement for four weeks (an impossible requirement for Sashenka), physiotherapy on her back muscles and legs and medications including steroids, pain relief and antibiotics. Catherine has seen her recently and she appears to be doing really well - she even escaped her cage and was seen running up a tree - her favourite place to be, a birds eye view of life. Day 1 after the surgery. The tumour may grow back and Catherine is exploring chemotherapy options but for now Sashenka has her full, active life back again which is great news for everybody. She may pave the way in the future for other patients with brain tumours. Thank you to Sashenkas mum and dad for allowing me to write this article on her. Dr Michele McMaster More police to respond to break-ins • By Matt Slaughter POLICE WILL increase patrols across south Christchurch after a spike in the number of vehicles being broken into. Detective Senior Sergeant Damon Wells said vehicle break-ins have been increasing throughout this area, particularly in Halswell but did not say by how much. “We don’t have statistics available at this time but anecdotally have seen an increase.” Detective Senior Sergeant Wells did not say how many police officers will be patrolling the areas or how many hours they will devote a week. “For operational reasons, we’re not able to share specific detail on police resourcing,” he said. Halswell Residents’ Association secretary David Hawke said he is not aware of the recent spike in vehicle break-ins in the area but it is good police are responding to this if it is an issue. Said Mr Hawke: “I guess from a general statement, our expectation is that they [police] respond to the level of the problem.” Mr Hawke hopes increased patrols will also lead to police reducing the number of speeding vehicles driving through Halswell, which the residents’ association has SAFER: Police patrols will increase in south Christchurch, particularly Halswell, to address an increase in vehicle break-ins. raised as a concern in the past. “I guess the interest we’ve had more recently was more police patrols to enforce speed limits.” He said police appeared to be doing a good job of slowing down drivers since speed was raised as a concern by the association. He believes increased patrols could help reduce speeding in the area even further. Said Detective Senior Sergeant Wells: “Police patrolling in the area will perform a number of tasks, including providing prevention advice and responding to any offending that takes place.” Meanwhile, police would like to remind residents of measures they can take to make their vehicle less appealing to thieves. Police ask residents to help deter burglars by not leaving valuables or documents with personal information in vehicles, parking in well-lit areas, locking vehicles and taking keys with them. Boats or vehicles should be disabled so they can’t be moved or towed away and locked in secure garages. People are also urged to keep in contact with neighbours. Tradies are encouraged to get their tools engraved with their driver licence number and secure them inside vehicles with chains and padlocks. Open 7 days Cnr Hoon Hay & Coppell place phone 338 2534, Fax 339 8624 e. mcmasterandheap@yahoo.co.nz www.mcmasterheap.co.nz McMaster & Heap
SOUTHERN VIEW Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz Tuesday February 18 2020 5 News Another board decision delayed • By Georgia O’Connor-Harding HALSWELL-Hornby-Riccarton Community Board chairman Mike Mora has told his fellow board members to “grow some whatevers and actually make a decision on the board.” The outburst was during a debate at the board’s public meeting recently over whether some yellow lines should be painted on three residential streets in Halswell. City council Mike Mora Mark Peters staff had recommended no stopping restrictions were installed on parts of Bronco Drive, Bibiana St and Stallion Ave. But now an overhaul of the original report on the parking restrictions is in motion after concerns from board members not enough public consultation on the proposal was initially carried out. But before the decision was made Mr Mora said: “We have just got to grow some whatevers and actually make a decision on Call for pathway not to go ahead close to estuary •From page 1 “We absolutely welcome the idea of walking and cycling paths, it’s just that this is the wrong area to put it,” he said. Said Redcliffs Residents Association secretary Pat McIntosh: “It would be a very nice facility for people to be able to walk around the estuary edge but unfortunately it’s a nature reserve and it’s incredibly important for the wildlife at the estuary that they actually have some space where they’re understood.” A motion passed at the residents’ association’s February NO CHANGE: The city council has received complaints from residents of inconsiderate parking taking place on residential streets including Bronco Drive. It has proposed no stopping restrictions but further consultation is required. the board.” But board member Mark Peters hit back. He said: “I actually find that a slight bit offensive, Mr Chair, being told to grow something and make a decision.” Mr Mora responded “fair enough.” He later said while it was probably the wrong choice of words, people do need to realise the board is there to make decisions. “I am a straight shooter – I say 3 meeting and emailed to the Linwood-Central-Heathcote Community Board said the proposed pathway “is in breach of local, national and international protections. “This area – the oxidation ponds, Linwood paddocks, Sandy Point and the adjacent shoreline – is a crucial refuge for a large variety of birds, including endangered migratory birds and rare New Zealand species. It is the last bastion of estuary edge that does not allow easy access by humans and dogs, and the only remaining mainly undisturbed area for waterfowl roosting in the what I think”. The comments were after Mr Peters raised concerns the entirety of Bronco Drive had not been consulted on the no stopping restrictions. City council traffic engineer Barry Hayes said generally he goes about three properties beyond the extent of the proposal and he contacted the Halswell Residents’ Association. But Mr Peters put forward an amendment for the decision estuary,” the motion said. Said city council head of parks Andrew Rutledge: An Ecological Impact Assessment is under way to report on how the pathway would impact on the ecological values of the site (primarily birdlife and lizards) and what the overall impacts would be if a range of potential mitigation measures were put in place. “Following further investigations and cost estimates, the Council may be asked to consider options for the pathway, including a potential alternative route and whether to put the proposal forward for public consultation. over the no stopping restrictions to be delayed until further consultation had been held with all residents of Bronco Drive and Stallion Ave. Already, the board had voted to delay making a decision on a safety upgrade to the Ilam/ Middleton/Riccarton Rd intersection. “I don’t want to be obstructive but I want to ensure we have got the consultation absolutely correct and right. Because the details of the pathway haven’t been decided, the construction costs are not yet known,” he said. Linwood-Central-Heathcote Community Board member Tim Lindley, who is a member of the estuary trust, didn’t speak for the whole board but believes the pathway should not go-ahead close to the estuary. Instead, he said there are grass areas further away, which would be more suitable. He said he hopes the board will discuss the community’s concerns about the proposal this year and decide on the next step. The fact we had seen the surprise on Colligan St, I want to make sure we don’t sneak up on people through consultation and we get it right,” Mr Peters said. Concerns were raised by residents on Colligan St when the board made a decision to cut parking on their street to make way for the weekly rubbish collection truck without their knowledge. The vote on the amendment drew a tie with board members Helen Broughton, Ms Mora, Mr Peters and city councillor Catherine Chu voting for. Mr Mora, board member Gamal Fouda, city councillor Jimmy Chen voted against while board member Andrei Moore abstained. A second vote was called after further questions with all board members voting the same except for Mr Moore – who voted against the decision being delayed. Transports operations manager Steffan Thomas said the new report will recommend the same proposal as previously reported on but will include any new submissions following additional consultation. Previously staff consulted 30 properties in total – an additional 10 properties will receive further consultation. WORTH PROTECTING: The Avon-Heathcote Ihutai Estuary is home to about 100 bird species including the bar-tailed godwit. e-bikes & scooters 12 MONTHS INTEREST FREE * *conditions apply THE BIGGEST E-BIkE, E-ScooTEr, E-SkaTEBoard STorE IN NZ NEED YOUR BIKE SERVICED FOR SUMMER? On-site bike mechanic 48 hour turnaround 484 Cranford Street Phone 03 925 8987 Simply Furniture now trading upstairs on mezzanine floor. 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Southern View: February 18, 2020

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