Rare Fish Called the ‘Nutcracker’ Eats Mens Testicles with Human Like Teeth, Caught in New Jersey Lake

A father and son fishing at a New Jersey lake may be lucky their bodies still have all their pieces after catching a fish called 'the Nutcracker' that is more commonly seen in the Amazon.

Ron Rossi, from the Philadelphia suburb of Delran, was out with his son Frank at a man-made body of water when they hooked what they thought was a piranha.

However, the rare species in Swedes Lake was actually a pacu, an omnivorous fish native to Brazil that has human-like teeth and has been reported to eat the testicles of swimmers and fishermen.

The Rossis realized the bizarre find when they went home and researched the animal after being confused at its lack of sharp, piranha chompers, they told WPVI.

Department of Environmental Protection officials said the South American fish are sometimes kept as pets, who may have dumped the pacu into the lake.

The species can grow up to four feet long and uses its molar-like teeth to crush food that falls into the Amazon River.

Many pet owners mistakenly think they are piranhas when they purchase the more famous species's cousin, which can grow up to 55lbs.

Given the fish's worldwide popularity, it turns out that the Rossis did not make the surprise catch of the century, or even of the last couple years.

A 10-inch pacu was caught in northern New Jersey in September 2013, followed by 17-incher in Washington state, a 20-inch specimen in southern Illinois two months later and a 14-inch pacu in Michigan's Lake St Clair last summer.

The fish's worldwide popularity has seen them spread far from their Brazilian homeland, with the fish being found in Paris, Scandinavia and Oceania.

In Papua New Guinea, where the fish is known as the 'Ball Cutter', a member of the species is thought to have contributed to two men's death from blood loss after it castrated them.

Scientists in Denmark said that reports of pacu eating genitalia were 'overblown' after they issued a joking warning to male swimmers to beware following a sighting of the fish, according to National Geographic.

Some wildlife experts worry that the introduction of pacu into lakes such as the one in New Jersey may endanger local fauna.

However, pacu cannot survive in colder water and the DEP urged owners of the fish to 'humanely destroy' it rather than throwing it into nearby waters.

A New Jersey man was surprised when he thought he caught a piranha, but the fish turned out to be a pacu, an Amazonian fish famous for eating men's private parts.

The Swedes Lake catch was the latest in an increasing number of pacu being found outside of their native habitat.

Fisherman Ron Rossi (pictured) researched the animal with his son, and environmental officials said that it most likely came from a pet owner who dumped it in the man-made lake

Pacu have spread around the world from their tropical home and been captured in places in northern Europe such as Scandinavia. Above left, a fish captured in Paris was about a foot long

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A Mountain Lion Has Been Discovered in Southeast Idaho with a Second Set of Teeth Growing Out of its Head

A mountain lion has been discovered in southeast Idaho with a second set of teeth growing out of its head.

The big cat was killed by an unidentified hunter last week in Weston, who then reported the animal's bizarre deformity to the authorities, Idaho State Journal reports.

Idaho conservation officers, who were sent a photograph of the kill, were shocked to find the year-old lion had a separate set of teeth growing out the left side of its forehead.

Experts have not been able to agree on the cause of the unusual mutation.

One theory is that the mountain lion's extra set of teeth may be remnants from a conjoined twin which died in the womb.

Another is that it is a type of tumor called a teratoma which can sometimes grow other body parts such as hair, teeth, bones - even eyes.

Regional wildlife biologist Zach Lockyer told Idaho State Journal the unusual deformity had left experts stumped.

'It's a bizarre situation and a bizarre photo,' he added. 'We may never know why those teeth are there.'

The hunter which killed the mountain lion had been planning to take the rare kill to a taxidermist.

But Idaho Fish and Game's Southeast Regional Office, in Pocatello, are hoping to bring the carcass in for examination.

They are hoping X-rays and analysis may reveal the mystery to why the big cat developed such a fearsome second set of teeth.

  

A mountain lion with a second set of teeth growing out of its head has been discovered in Southeast Idaho

Experts believe that the big cat may have developed the second set of teeth as part of a rare tumor (stock picture of a typical mountain lion)

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Boris the Polar Bear Has 3 Teeth Pulled at Washington Zoo

Tacoma, Wash. (AP) - Boris the 29-year-old polar bear is eating only soft foods for a while after having surgery to remove three broken or decayed teeth at a Washington state zoo.

The 880-pound bear who lives at the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium in Tacoma, Washington, didn't have to sit in a dentist's chair for the procedure. Boris sprawled out on a table as veterinarians and support staff extracted his problem teeth Friday.

To read more on this story, click here: Boris the Polar Bear Has 3 Teeth Pulled at Washington Zoo FOLLOW US!

Periodontal Disease in Cats and Dogs

In cats and dogs, periodontal disease is unfortunately quite common, but the good news is that it is preventable in most cases. By age three, most cats and dogs display some signs of periodontal disease. But this varies based upon diet, genetics and breed. As a pet owner, bad breath is an obvious sign that your pet's teeth may need a cleaning. However, it is difficult to see the signs of the disease process at home, and often times dental cleaning comes too late to prevent the spread of serious periodontal disease or to save teeth. In veterinary medicine, periodontal disease is usually under-treated, may cause serious problems in your pet's mouth, and can also potentially cause damage to the older pet's heart, liver and kidneys.

Periodontal disease begins when plaque, a hard substance formed by bacteria, sticks to the surface of the teeth. To make things worse, minerals in the saliva harden the plaque into dental calculus, or tartar, which is firmly attached to the teeth like cement. Calculus and tartar above the gum line is obvious to many owners because it looks like cement. Veterinarians suggest hard treats and using preventive measures such as brushing your pet's teeth, or offering dental chews to help break up the calculus. However, preventive measures do not always do the job, and dental cleanings are recommended.

Periodontal disease develops as plaque and calculus spread under the gum line, where we cannot see it. Bacteria collect in this sub-gingival area, forming plaque that form toxins and damages the supporting tissues around the tooth, which if left untreated, can cause damage to the gums and tooth loss. Oral bacteria also negatively impacts your pet's immune system, weakening your pet's resistance to other diseases and viruses.

Periodontal disease includes gingivitis, or inflammed and red gums. Periodontitis, or the loss of bone and soft tissue around the teeth, can also occur. There is a lot of variability in periodontal disease, and for cats and dogs, it cannot be properly evaluated or treated without general anesthesia. Damage to and loss of gum tissue and bone around the teeth can occur, development of holes, or "fistulas," running from the oral cavity into the nasal passages can cause nasal discharge. Also, bacteria from the mouth can enter the bloodstream and can circulate throughout the body. Studies in dogs have shown that periodontal disease can cause microscopic changes in vital organs such as the heart, kidneys and liver.

Sources:
http://www.avdc.org/periodontaldisease
http://www.vohc.org/perio.htm
http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?A=163

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Did You Know that Gum Disease is the Most Common Disease Occurring in Pet Dogs and Cats?

The Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC), says that periodontal disease (gum disease) is the most common disease occurring in pet dogs and cats.

Cause

The cause of gum disease is the same in cats and dogs as it is in people.

Gum disease is an infection resulting from build-up of soft dental plaque on the surfaces of the teeth around the gums. The bacteria in dental plaque irritate the gum tissue if plaque is allowed to accumulate, which often leads to infection in the bone surrounding the teeth.

Hard dental tartar (calculus) consists of calcium salts from saliva deposited on plaque. Tartar starts to form within a few days on a tooth surface that is not kept clean, and provides a rough surface that enhances further plaque accumulation. Once it has begun to grow in thickness, tartar is difficult to remove without dental instruments.

Effects

Bad breath is the most common effect noted by owners. However, this is often only the tip of the iceberg.

The gums become irritated, leading to bleeding and oral pain, and your cat or dog may lose its appetite or drop food from its mouth while eating.

The roots may become so severely affected that some teeth become loose and fall out.

Bacteria surrounding the roots gain access to the blood stream ("bacteremia"). Studies have shown that dogs with severe periodontal disease have more severe microscopic damage in their kidneys, heart muscle and liver than do dogs with less severe periodontal disease.

Management

The key to management of gum disease (for humans or pets!) is prevention. As long as the surfaces of the teeth are cleaned frequently, the gums will stay healthy.

Excellent oral health is maintained by daily oral hygiene. The gold standard is brushing. Daily chewing activities can also be effective in maintaining oral health.

Daily use of products that have been awarded the VOHC Seal will help to keep your pet’s teeth clean and the gum tissues and bone around the roots healthy.

VOHC recommends periodic veterinary examination of the mouth and teeth of your dog or cat. Many pets, particularly middle-aged and older cats and dogs, require periodic professional scaling in addition to on-going plaque control.





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