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New Bobcat Rescues Health Update

Dr. Kellyn’s Exam Results

June 13, 2019

Staff Veterinarian Dr. Kellyn Sweely lets previous intern and current veterinary student Nicole Barney check out Tony's eyesTurpentine Creek’s staff Veterinarian, Dr. Kellyn Sweely, reports that our two newest resident bobcats, that were left behind in a flooded Sebastain County home, are in “relatively good condition,” after performing a full wellness exam conducted earlier in the week.

Eight-month-old bobcat brothers, Prince and Tony, were rescued in a joint effort by TCWR and the International Fund for Animal Welfare (ifaw) two weeks ago after flooding in West Central Arkansas forced the previous owner to evacuate and leave the pair behind.

Dr. Sweely checkes out Tony's eyes

Our initial concerns was that Prince and Tony were malnutrition and muscle atrophy. Dr. Kellyn’s evaluation showed both issues were present, but that Prince and Tony were already making progress on both accounts thanks to a better diet and more space to move around.

The bobcats had been taken from the wild by the previous owner when they were approximately one month old and fed strictly cat food, meaning their diet lacked the vital nutrients they should have gotten in the wild. They were confined to small crates the majority of the time, which caused the muscle atrophy in their back legs. It was also reported that the brothers were separated from each other due to aggression, but the team hoped that neutering them would alleviate that aggression and allow them to be reintroduced.

Prince being neutered by Dr. Sweely

After spending Sunday and Monday performing the neuter and full exam under sedation, TCWR Staff Veterinarian, Dr. Kellyn Sweeley noted that Prince and Tony are on their way to ideal health. Because they were introduced to a proper diet immediately upon arrival to the Refuge, they have already begun to gain weight, with Tony weighing 27 pounds and Prince 23. Both were given a deworming treatment. The team is concerned about the presence of metabolic bone disease due to malnutrition, though the results from those blood tests will not be back for several days.

Prince and Tony will be reintroduced to each other in 1-2 weeks, after they have completely recovered from surgery.

In the meantime, TCWR Assistant Curator Laurie Vanderwal says, “They have both been playing with toys and seem to like cardboard boxes and spices, as well, and have been comfortably resting on blankets.”

You can help us care for Prince and Tony by donating now at tcwr.org/donate. Thank you for your support!

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