Vets in a Moscow animal clinic found themselves treating one of the capital's less docile pets when a young crocodile turned up at their surgery, a news report said Monday.
The owner of the crocodile told medics his pet, aged 1 1/2 , had not eaten in days and had adopted an unnatural body position as a result of severe abdominal cramps, Interfax reported, citing the Moscow Veterinary Committee.
The man suspected the complaints to be connected to the reptile's stomach, but X-rays found nothing untoward. It was only after an examination of the croc's mouth that vets diagnosed it with periodontal disease and gingivitis — a toothache.
The crocodile was referred to a specialist at the Moscow zoo for further consultation and the possible removal of its tooth, the veterinary committee was quoted as saying.
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