AssetID: 55527106
Headline: Big cat scan! Latest medical technology is used to give Kent sanctuary's majestic felines new lease of life
Caption: Big cat scan! Latest medical technology is used to give Kent sanctuary's majestic felines new lease of life. These rather large kitties - a tiger, a cheetah, and a leopard, have had important medical treatment thanks to modern technology as they have undergone CT scans that revealed health issues. In November, Luca the Amur tiger, Mo the cheetah and Django the mainland clouded leopard at The Big Cat Sanctuary were examined in a bid to understand unexplained and persistent medical problems. It marked the first time a mobile CT scanner had been used at the sanctuary. Staff say the results are already helping them refine treatment plans and make long-term decisions to safeguard the animals’ welfare. Although not all of the findings were straightforward, keepers said the scans provided “invaluable clarity”, allowing them to better tailor care for each animal. Django, a 10-year-old mainland clouded leopard, was found to have an additional mass on his right testicle, with early indications suggesting it could be a tumour. Because the issue has been detected early, further tests will now determine the best course of treatment with the strongest possible outlook. Luca, a four-year-old Amur tiger, was diagnosed with a narrowing of joint space in the lower spine – an unusual finding for such a young animal. Mo, a seven-year-old cheetah, underwent scanning to assess intermittent lameness in his left forelimb. The images confirmed significant osteoarthritis in his right shoulder, along with tendon inflammation in his left shoulder. His keepers are now giving him pain relief.
Keywords: Natural World,Big cat,scan,medical technology,Kent,sanctuary,majestic,felines,tiger,cheetah,leopard,treatment,CT scans,medical problems,mobile CT scanner,staff,animals,tumor,spine,joint,osteoarthritis,inflammation,pain
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