Siberian tiger leaves impression

HAVING an exotic cat on the operating table is no new experience for the veterinary staff and students at the University of Pretoria’s Onderstepoort Veterinary Academic Hospital.

However, a majestic animal such as a tiger always leaves a lasting impression.

This time the patient was Fushan, a 9-year-old male Siberian tiger from Cheetah Experience in Bela-bela in Limpopo, who in addition to an assessment of his problem hips, also needed some dental work.

Fushan was born in South Africa and donated to Cheetah Experience (at that time they were still located in Bloemfontein) when he was around five months old because of an existing hip problem.

He was always likely to need medical intervention at some stage and the centre – home to a number of endangered and threatened species – always accepted animals with special needs.

When Fushan arrived at his new home, he already limped, but ran around and played happily. Previous examinations led to the centre being told that it was believed he had hip dysplasia and they had to wait until he was fully grown to be evaluated.

They were advised to monitor him and give him calcium supplements.

As Fushan became older the limp became more pronounced and in 2017 the centre had set up its veterinary practice in Bloemfontein.

They were able to sedate and examine him after which their vet,

Dr Sandra Bertram, diagnosed serious osteoarthritis in the left hip, likely caused by trauma as a young animal.

The hip bone socket also showed damage and had an abnormal shape while the left hip was unable to extend more than a few centimetres.

The tiger was prescribed pain medication and supplements. His behaviour was closely monitored and his medication and supplements were adjusted.

In February, Fushan was relocated to Cheetah Experience’s new property in Bela-bela. His new enclosure is 7500m² and he has a swimming pool with lots of trees, bushes and rocks.

On good days he stalks, runs and jumps around.

This month Fushan was brought to the Onderstepoort to get some dental work done as well as to assess his hips.

The faculty said their veterinary experts, including Professor Katja Koeppel, veterinary wildlife specialist, Professor Gerhard Steenkamp, specialist veterinary dental surgeon, and wildlife vets Dr Jennie Hewlett and Dr Annette Roug were on hand to perform comprehensive examinations and treat the beautiful animal.

As expected, there was some deterioration of his left hip/joint, but Cheetah Experience will be able to continue managing his condition with medication, and assess him regularly.

His supplements will also be reviewed and alternatives will be recommended if needed, the faculty said.

Staff at Cheetah Experience have always also wondered why Fushan does not chew on things and an examination by Steenkamp revealed chipping on some canine teeth which has developed over time.

For this, Steenkamp performed root canal procedures on three of Fushan’s canines. He will review the dental work in six months’ time unless there is earlier evidence of problems.

Fushan is meanwhile back at home, where it is expected that many happy chewing experiences await him.