Schatov has been in the wars. In case you don't remember he is the hansom young howler who co habits with Emma. You will find his photograph in the gallery.

Well something like two weeks ago he developed a puzzling lump on the side of his nose. At first we were certain that it was an insect bite. After a few days, when the lump showed no sign of going down we thought it was a bite by an insect and it could have laid eggs in the wound. We carefully examined the lump for any sign of a puncture but there was none. Finally we opened his mouth and found the cause, a very black tooth. This had become infected and was causing the swelling.

Clearly some drastic action was necessary and we contacted a well known Veterinary surgeon in Valencia. He told us that he had a colleague who was very experienced in dental work on small animals. Early the next day Schatov was driven to the clinic in Valencia. There under anesthesia he had a full dental examination. This revealed a second tooth that could soon cause a problem. Both teeth were removed. Well they don’t drill and fill small animal’s teeth. Whilst he was under, it was thought to do a blood test to check his overall health.  Schatov returned home the same evening. Still a little dizzy of course but in no discomfort. Later when the drug had worn off he was his normal bouncy self. He stayed with us that night and slept well. Next day the blood test report came in. In all general respects he is a very health young monkey. His blood test showed that he has a bacterial infection in the blood. This is common with wild howlers. He has started a course of antibiotics under the Vets guidance. Quite a long course of 21 days. Even though the drug is very pleasant tasting, it tastes of honey; Schatov did not like the presentation in a syringe without a needle. He may have associated this with his visit to the vet. Well we hit on the idea of serving the medicine up in a spoonful of Strawberry ice cream. Well what Schatov has, Emma wants as well. Early morning Château Schatov is more like MacDonald’s with two scoops of Strawberry ice. One has medicine and the other without. Through all this he has been cheerful and playing as hard as ever. No sign whatsoever of his problems.