Apr/May/June 2017 • Volume 61 Issue 2 TABLE OF

APRIL - JUNE 2017 | VOLUME 61, ISSUE 2 cc oo nn tt ee nn tt ss

Features

Designing Gibs’s Outdoor Enclosure 6 Danny Waldo’s patio pergola-inspired bobcat habitat.

2016 FCF Big Cat Census 8 Kevin Chambers updates the numbers on cats in U.S. captivity. 2222 In Memory: A Tribute to Sally, African Caracal 12 (November 28, 1998 – December 2, 2016) Billie Lambert shares memories of a very special caracal.

An Eye For An Eye: Tapanga’s Story 16 Sheri DeFlorio didn’t give up and saved Tapanga’s eyesight.

Convention Update 22 July 25 through 27 – Sarasota Florida – don’t miss it!

Zandy’s Litter of Seven 26 Mechel Whitaker has a scientific approach to nutrition and husbandry.

MaxAMillion was Truly One in a Million 30 Debbie Hayes remembers 18 years of bobcat love.

Starla the Geoffroy’s Cat 33 Tina Rochester shares her loss in hopes it will save another life.

Acupuncture for Ataxia 35 Shelleen Mathews gave this unconventional treatment a try.

Wildlife Conservation Network Spring Expo 38 Chris Tromborg and Lynette Lyon represented the FCF. 3333

66 2525 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 61, Issue 2 • Apr.-June 2017 JOIN THE FCF IN ITS CONSERVATION EFFORTS - WWW.FELINECONSERVATION.ORG

The FCF supports conservation of wild felids by advocating for qualified individuals to own and to pursue husbandry of wild felines, providing expertise and material support to ensure the continued welfare and viability of these populations, contributing to research, and funding protection programs that benefit felids living in nature. Send $35 annual dues ($40 Canada, $50 international) to FCF, 141 Polk Road 664, Mena, AR 71953.

Husbandry Contact Us

Blast from the Past: Necropsy – 7 Ishmael FOUNDER: DIRECTORS: John Perry on the loss of a Catherine Cisin Conservation Geoffroy’s cat. Pat Callahan EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: 1961 Connecticut Ave Feline Kidney Disease and Lynn Culver Cincinnati, OH 45224 13 Treatment [email protected] 513-304-7155 Karen Becker, DVM, explains this [email protected] feline ailment. OFFICERS: President Chris Tromborg Corneal Ulcer Information Kevin Chambers 217 Baja Avenue 18 Excerpt explains complicated eye 7816 N CR 75 W Davis, CA 95616 infections. Shelburn, IN 47879 530-753-2763 812-397-2302 [email protected] What are Eye Tumors? [email protected] 31 Pet Cancer Center explains treat- Robert Bean ments for malignancies. Vice President 4633 Chandler Road Mindy Stinner Hermitage, TN 37076 Bartonella – Cat Scratch Fever P.O. Box 882 615-889-4633 32 Vet Street details diagnosis and Mebane, NC 27302 [email protected] treatment of cat scratch fever. 336-421-0065 [email protected] JOURNAL STAFF: Myocarditis Managing Editor: 34 Vet Book description of this rare Secretary Lynn Culver heart inflammation. Rebecca Krebs P.O. Box 770514 Layout/Copy Editor: Incidents of Myocarditis in Cats Miami, FL 33177 Eden Burgess, [email protected] 34 from Bartonella 305-962-5349 Deadly accounts of this bacterial [email protected] Associate Editor: infection. Judith Hoffman Treasurer Acupuncture in Cats Lynn Culver Membership Services: 36 Feline Wellness article explains 141 Polk Road 664 Jennifer Kasserman how this treatment works. Mena, AR 71953 816-674-7277 479-394-5235 membershipservices [email protected] @felineconservation.org

The FCF is a non-profit (Federal ID#59-2048618), Conservation Organization non-commercial society devoted to the welfare and conservation of exotic felines. The FCF publishes the Cheetah Conservation Botswana Journal quarterly. 25 Receives $1,000 FCF Conserva- Members are encouraged to donate older copies of tion Donation From the Executive Director the Journal, with permission of the resident, to vet Rebecca Klein updates the FCF 4 on how our donation is helping offices, dental or medical waiting rooms, or public CCB help cheetahs. libraries or public officials, to increase awareness of the FCF, its members, and mission. Cat Taxonomy 5 Letter from the President The author’s point of view does not necessarily rep- 37 IUCN Cat Specialist Group resent the point of view of the FCF. Reproduction of announces their latest systematic classification of the cat family. any material in the Journal may not be made without the written permission of the original copyright owners and/or copyright owner, FCF. 32 Donations Display advertisement space is available at the following prices: $10 business card, $25 quarter page, Pictorials $50 half page, and $100 full page ad. Your Best Shots 36 First Quarter Board of Submit articles on hus- 20 Rob Moyes, Courtney Frenchak, Director Meeting Minutes bandry, conservation, current Billie Lambert, Jim Broaddus, events, editorials, and photos Lynn Culver, Patricia Trulock, for publication to the manag- Shelleen Mathews, Sheila Adams. ing editor, Lynn Culver, at [email protected].

3 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 61, Issue 2 • Apr.-June 2017 From the Executive Director By Lynn Culver support each other, and the FCF is the sector captive husbandry. Read Chris’s only organization of its kind that promotes report on page 38. This issue of the Journal is dedicated to the captive breeding of exotic felines and The FCF works tirelessly to educate the husbandry of wild felines. Many of conservation of feline species in nature. those who own and work with cats in cap- the articles submitted by our members Putting on a convention is a labor of love. tivity. Our shared love of these felines share experiences with medical issues and Each member owes themself the opportu- extends beyond those felines we know sadly, even causes of death. It is this kind nity to experience what this organization intimately, to our generous support of the of sharing between members that helps us is all about. Come down to Sarasota, and conservation of their cousins in nature. all do a better job of caring for our cats. enjoy the beach, the bay, the hotel, the One of our members, Patty Perry, founder Sharing husbandry is the foundation of field trips, the other members, and exotic of Wildlife and Environmental Conserva- this organization, which began in the felines on display. Treat yourself today, tion, donated $1,000 to the FCF Conser- 1950s by Catherine Cisin, who wanted to because tomorrow it may be too late. vation Fund specifically for cheetah share information about ocelots. Today, Like our felines, we are an endangered enhancement. By contributing to the FCF the Feline Conservation Federation has species, too. Our numbers are falling, our Conservation Fund, the FCF organization formalized this mission with its Basic felines are disappearing, and the future is and members share credit in the results. Wild Feline Husbandry Course and its uncertain. The FCF chose to work through the WCN newest course, the Wildlife Conservation Captive husbandry of wildlife, and and give support to Cheetah Conservation Educators Course. Both are taught at especially cats, has been relentlessly Botswana. I am happy to publish news Convention. If you have never taken attacked by animal rights fanatics, who from Rebecca Klein on page 25 of the them, I encourage you to register for one seek to end our close and loving connec- Journal about how this donation is being of these courses being offered on July tion with nature. This Journal issue docu- spent to mitigate predator/farmer conflicts 24th, at the start of this year’s Convention. ments the loss of our feline populations. and conserve cheetahs in nature. Ringling Brothers Circus put on their It is a sobering and stark call to action for The 2017 winter special issue of Cat final show in New York, this past May. all of us. Laws being proposed by misin- News published a revised taxonomy of We have come to the end of an era. Chil- formed legislators and members of the Felidae. The main task of the IUCN SSC dren and adults alike have lost a powerful public duped by radical extremists about Cat Specialist Group is the continuous connection to nature and the opportunity the over-population of big cats in America review of the conservation status of all cat to immerse themselves in the wonder of are based on fallacies. Be sure to read the species and subspecies according to the exotic animals. But FCF members are FCF Big Cat Census starting on page 8 of IUCN Red List of Threatened Species fortunate to have before them a now even this Journal. process. On page 38 of this Journal, we more rare opportunity, to see up close how Director Chris Tromborg and Education have reprinted this listing of 41 cat professional trainers work with the largest Chairperson Lynette Lyon spent the day species. The Cat Specialist Group has of feline species. The annual FCF Con- speaking to visitors at the Spring Wildlife mainland tigers listed as the same sub- vention is being hosted by Big Cat Habitat Conservation Network Expo. This one- species, and only tigers on Sumatra are a in Sarasota, Florida, this coming July. Do on-one interaction with the public changes unique subspecies. I don’t suspect the not miss it! Clayton and Kay Rossaire, minds and recruits supporters of private international political community, or the multigenerational super-opinionated animal trainers and animal rights fanat- performers, will be ics, will accept their putting on a show for Registered Exotic Feline Handler Program science; it certainly us that cannot be The FCF board of directors congratulates the following individuals for puts a damper on the duplicated. In addi- being accepted into the Registered Exotic Feline Handler Program since denigration of white tion to the trip to Big the past Journal issue. tigers based on the Cat Habitat, we will false belief that also visit the Circus Mechel Whitaker - Educator genes from Tony, a Museum, a bitter- tiger originating sweet experience Basic Feline Handlers have documented at least one year of experience, Intermedi- from Siberian lines, considering the Rin- ate level is at least five years of experience, and Advanced handlers have more than has “polluted” the gling Brothers Muse- ten years experience. Update your registration when you obtain additional handling white Bengal tiger. um is all that is left experience or new species experience. of a 146 year tradi- The online registration form can be filled out directly in the members-only section tion. There is full of the FCF website. The $30.00 registration fee can be made through PayPal. FCF Convention Being a registered handler is the first step to becoming a Professional Member. coverage starting on Professional Membership application is also online on the Members-Only website. page 22. Congratulations to all of these members for their dedication to their cats. Convention is a time for feline lovers Rebecca Krebs, FCF Secretary to come together and

4 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 61, Issue 2 • Apr.-June 2017 Letter from the President The FCF recently concluded its big cat breeder had to be willing to keep these or double what there is today. The interest in census, getting a reliable count on all of find a market for them. Luckily, the sec- other big cats and exotics in general was the tigers, lions, cougars, leopards, ond huge factor had come into its own at its height. The demand for white tigers jaguars, cheetahs, snow leopards, and during the late 1980s. This was the had decreased. Sanctuaries were effec- ligers in captivity in the U.S. We had advent of exotic animal auctions and pub- tively full. They, for the most part, had done this in 2011, and followed this up lications such as Animal Finder’s Guide. found that stories vilifying breeders five years later using 2016 records for the These two things allowed greater access brought in the most money and had information. The results of this census are to other people who loved animals and become antagonists to the people who found beginning on page eight in this wanted to keep them. Before that, if you were their supply of cats. Laws were Journal. Please take the time to read this wanted a tiger, you had to pick up the tele- changing and becoming more restrictive. and remember some of the facts. We still phone and just start calling people to see Change was bound to come. see the media quoting the figure that there if anyone knew of someone who had any. So, here we are today. It is a new are 10,000 tigers in the United States. Now, you could just look in AFG or go to world. Breeders have gone out of busi- Well, the truth is that there are a total of an auction to get what you wanted. It was ness. The AZA has remained resolute to 2,327 total tigers in the U.S. This is down interesting at the time that almost every stay isolated in their own little world. from 3,013 tigers in 2011. This is a loss normal-colored tiger was offered as a het- Sanctuaries are losing their cats to old age of nearly a quarter of all tigers in just the erozygous, one with which you had a and do not easily find animals to replace last five years!!! When you take into chance to get white babies; you couldn’t them and, thus, keep the donations com- account that over half of all tigers are tell by looking at them if they actually ing in. One has resorted to importing over found in sanctuaries, a quarter are in zoos, carried the gene, so many unscrupulous 60 lions and tigers from other countries to and the remaining quarter in all other people unloaded regular tigers in this keep its name in the news. The main sup- facilities, the effective potential breeding manner. ply of cats to sanctuaries is now other population is a far cry from 10,000 tigers. The final major factor of the tiger boom sanctuaries. In the last year, two of the The number of tigers dropped across of the 1990s was the creation of the sanc- larger sanctuaries have been bought out or the board for all three sectors, with the tuary industry. Before that, if animals taken over, then had their names trashed “other” category falling the hardest at were confiscated or just otherwise as their assets were gobbled up. It is not a 32%, zoos at 27%, and sanctuaries at unwanted, you just had to call person after good time to be a cat. 15%. The major reason for this is the person until you found someone willing to The sad fact is that tigers aren’t even aging population. The boom breeding take it. That was a major financial burden the worst story to be told by the census. years of the 1990s led to a spike in the if the animal wasn’t something that was in All big cats together have decreased by population. The offspring of that boom demand at the time. Some people figured about a quarter in the last five years. have now lived out their normal lifespan out that they could get donations from the Cougars have dropped by 43%, the and breeding has reduced significantly public to help pay for their upkeep if some biggest drop being in the non-sanctuary enough that the tiger population is falling tragic story was given. It seemed that and zoo sector. We must wake up today at an alarming rate. Not only is the ani- every new sanctuary had at least one tiger before it’s too late or there will be no mal population dropping, but the number that had been kept in a drug dealer’s base- future! of facilities keeping tigers is dropping by ment. As this concept evolved and more a similar percentage. This means that the and more people figured out that they captive habitat for tigers is also disappear- could actually earn a living by taking in Kevin Chambers ing. Altogether, the outlook is very bleak free animals, the sanctuary industry bur- if the trend does not change. geoned. They were more than happy to It is important to look at history in take any tiger you had to get rid of, partic- order to help foresee the future. The ularly babies. This was the answer to the boom of the 1990s was caused by three question of what to do with those unwant- main factors. First, the U.S. Fish ed hetero tigers gotten in the production &Wildlife Service relaxed regulations of of whites. The all-out breeding light was the Endangered Species Act to allow the now green. Some enterprising individuals interstate sales of generic tigers. At the also figured out that they could breed time, white tigers were still quite rare and babies, use them to take pictures, and then in great demand. They could fetch up to easily give them to a sanctuary. The sanc- $50,000 each. One of the drawbacks was tuary was in turn happy to take the cub, that producing white tigers, and introduc- which was tame, and use it for its own ing new blood into them, led to the pro- fundraising efforts. It was a win-win situ- duction of many normal-colored heterozy- ation that just got carried away. gous tigers. Before, this meant that three By 2004, things were at their height. I normal-colored tigers were often pro- have seen reliable estimates that the tiger duced for every white one born. The population was around 4,600 in the U.S.,

5 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 61, Issue 2 • Apr.-June 2017 Designing Gibs’s Outdoor Enclosure By Danny Waldo access up into and down out of it. There is also a three The plan was to build Gibs foot by three foot insulated an enclosure close to the house. cat house built into this attic So close that aesthetics would area. The face and ends of be a concern. There’s nothing this roof were finished in pretty about a 1,200 square board and batten rough lum- foot enclosure in a person’s ber (like an old barn), with backyard, with no greenery to two large wire windows. hide or distract from it. A ten Also, several “limby” cedar foot tall fence would take on a tree sections are mounted hor- security fence look. Add a izontally and vertically above wire ceiling to that and you the attic floor to provide more have a big cage. Instead of a bobcat enrichment. ceiling, add three feet of an There are perches, shelves, inward angle at the top of the ramps, and other bobcat furni- fence? It now has a prison ture items all over the place appearance. that allow Gibs easy access up Thus, we devised a plan that into the attic area. Actually, would hopefully give it a Danny combined a desire to have Gibs’s living close with he’s able to traverse all the decent appearance... a patio the desire to create an aesthetically pleasing structure. way around this enclosure and pergola was the inspiration. never touch the ground. Instead of poles with wire in between, Four inch by four inch welded wire There are six poles inside the enclosure we added some eye distraction top and panels would have worked great, looked holding things up. Mostly cedar poles bottom. The idea was to try to make the better, and cost less. But, if ever there with as many short limbs left on them as sections in between the poles have the was another kitten, these four inch square possible. One is wrapped with sisal rope. appearance of windows; large wire win- openings would be too large. So four inch Ramps, runways, and perches on them dows of course, but windows nonetheless. by two inch horse panel was used. and connecting most of them together. The rafters used to staple the ceiling The footprint (ground used) for the It’s still a work in progress, and it wire were extended out past the walls, as enclosure was about 1,200 square feet. A almost turned out looking more like a in a pergola design, with a 45 degree 40 foot by 32 foot rectangle with the front building than an enclosure. It’s not as see- craftsman cut on the ends. corners knocked off and angled. The front through as I thought it would be. But, all is closest to our home and is the first in all, I consider it a success. He’s close thing you see. The front corners were 45 to the house and the firewood’s dry. degrees to give it a softer appearance. And, most importantly? I know one The center of the front wall is an eight bobcat that LOVES IT! Yea!!! foot roofed extension. This is where our firewood is normally stacked. This roofed section would hide and further soften the look of the front of the enclosure. One side would cover the firewood and keep it dry (bonus!). The other side would be a covered double door entry area. This entry area is directly under the big Coca-Cola bottle cap. Inside the enclosure, another roofed area was constructed along the back wall. It’s a 20 foot by 12 foot roof with something like an attic area under- A creative attic area has holes all neath. The floor of the over to allow Gibs access into and attic area has holes all over Gibs sits high above his humans on one of his out of the covered area. the place that allow Gibs many perches.

6 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 61, Issue 2 • Apr.-June 2017 Blast from the Past: Necropsy - Ishmael Long Island Ocelot Club Newsletter evening at the hospital. May/June 1983 Necropsy showed generally irritated Volume 31 Issue 3 urinary tract and ulcers on the gums of the mouth, both indicators of FUS. The vet- By John Perry erinarians indicated that, though the problem had taken a while to develop, the only I am writing to share the loss of my six indicators might have been difficulty in year old, melanistic (black) Geoffroy’s urinating or being off feed. The latter was cat, Ishmael. He appeared healthy on definitely not the case. Monday. Tuesday evening, he had a slight I would like to share this problem with cough, which I attributed to a lack of other members to alert them to the possi- water as he or his cage mate had over- bility. The common assumption has been turned the water sometime during the day. that FUS is associated with older neutered When I got home from work on Wednes- male cats. Apparently, newer research is day, he was lying on the floor in a very showing this is not necessarily the case. weak state. There was some evidence of Also, this is the first case the university bloody discharge on the floor. faculty are aware of in an exotic cat which I took him to the University of Min- was not neutered. There is some evidence nesota Veterinary Hospital, where they linking the problem to high ash diets, but examined him. Their diagnosis was it seems to be a highly individual and non- We don’t have a photo of Ishmael Feline Urological Syndrome (FUS). They contagious problem. It occurs to me that for this 1983 reprint, so little Olivia did x-rays as well as a series of blood the gum ulcer problem would be worth will have to be a stand-in. Melanis- chemistry tests. They immediately started keeping an eye on. This could be difficult tic Geoffroy’s can be easily distin- giving him fluids and bicarbonate to raise in animals like Ishmael which cannot be guished from domestic felines by the blood pH, which was down to 7.l (nor- handled or easily approached. There is their small and rounded ears, rather mal range is 7.3 to 7.4). Ishmael had a also no indicator as to whether the suscep- than triangular shaped ears of Felis bloated bladder and his temperature was tibility to the syndrome can be inherited. catus. Photo by Christine Berry. subnormal - only 98 degrees. He died that

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7 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 61, Issue 2 • Apr.-June 2017 2016 FCF Big Cat Census By Kevi n Chambers invaluable in countering the ludicrous negative effect on the population growth. estimates made by animal rights groups Lions came next in popularity. In 2016, The FCF did its first big cat census in when trying to influence legislation. 1,046 lions were found in 275 facilities, a 2011. We have just completed a five-year Overall, the total number of big cats in 17% drop in animals and a 17% drop in follow-up to establish population trends in the United States fell from 6,563 in 2011, facilities keeping them. Thirty-five per- the big cat species: tiger, lion, cougar, to 5,144, a decrease of 22%. The total cent (35%) of lions were held in sanctuar- leopard, cheetah, jaguar, snow leopard, number of facilities holding big cats fell ies. The sanctuaries held 362 lions in 61 and liger, as well as the number of facili- 24%, from 718 to 548. These statistics facilities. The drop in these was 16% and ties holding each. show that the aging population is disap- 5%. The zoo population was stable at 489 We further broke down the facilities pearing at a disproportionate rate to the lions in 142 zoos, which were only two into three classifications: sanctuaries, number of births, as well as many facili- less lions kept in 8% fewer zoos. The “all ties discontinuing the keeping of big cats. other” sector once again had a significant Considering that the average litter size of drop of 43% less lions, down to 195. The big cats is three, the number of births is drop in other facilities was 37%, down to dramatically down, to account for a 22% 72 places with lions. There were 56 lions decrease. The number of big cats kept in imported into the U.S. by one sanctuary sanctuaries went from 2,519 to 2,004 over and another lion by another sanctuary. this period, a loss of 20%, while the num- Lions were also placed on the Endangered ber of sanctuaries was down 8%, to 87. Species Act in 2016. This will undoubt- The zoo population stayed relatively sta- edly decrease the number of lions bred if ble, with only a 4% decrease to 1,966 big the history of other species holds true. cats. By far and away, the greatest change Cougars felt the largest negative impact occurred in the “other” sector. Forty-six in the last five years of any of the eight percent (46%) of the cats either died in the species examined. The 43% decrease of last five years or were transferred to the cougar numbers to 674 cougars nation- sanctuary sector, leaving 1,068 big cats in wide was dramatic. Thirty-one percent 228 facilities. Forty-one percent (41%) of (31%) of the facilities stopped keeping this sector closed their doors on the keep- cougars, leaving only 287 with them. The ing of big cats. 244 cats in 31 sanctuaries represent 35% We will now analyze the census num- of the total population. The sanctuary sec- bers by species. Tigers remain far and away the most populous of all big cat species. The United States population was 2,330 in 2016, down 23% from the 2011 The population of U.S. captive population of 3,013. They reside in 379 tigers has seen a dramatic decline facilities, having lost 22% of their homes. in the past five years. This white Sanctuaries held 1,231 tigers in 2016, Bengal tiger on exhibit at the which is 53% of all American tigers. The Catoctin Zoo is included in the pop- number of tigers in sanctuaries is down ulation of 545 tigers held by zoos, 15% from the previous number in an and the zoo population is outnum- unchanged number of sanctuaries. The bered by more than two to one by zoo population decreased 27% to 545 tigers residing in sanctuaries. tigers, largely due to the phasing out of Photo by Kelly Hahn. generic tigers. The number of zoos holding tigers only fell 12% over this five-year zoos, and “all others.” The information period. Once again, the “all other” sector was gathered through Freedom of Infor- was hardest hit, losing 32% of its tigers mation Act data along with personal com- and 36% of facilities. The 2016 numbers munication. The numbers reflect the stood at 554 and 119 respectively. It number of cats and facilities found in should be noted that there were 13 generic 2016. It is known that two major sanctu- tigers imported into the United States over aries (Serenity Springs Wildlife Center this time period. These tigers all went to and Spirit of the Hills Sanctuary) have sanctuaries in non-breeding situations. closed since the time this census was The generic tiger exemption ruling for the Of the seven species of big cats, taken. The census information will be put Endangered Species Act was removed in cougars felt the largest decline. up on the FCF website. The information 2016, making permits necessary for the This cub on exhibit at the Panther has been broken down by species as well interstate sale of all tigers. This will com- Ridge Conservation Center is a true as by state. This should prove to be plicate sales and most likely will have a rarity. Photo by Jamie Thody.

8 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 61, Issue 2 • Apr.-June 2017

(Right) The 2016 FCF Feline Census documented a slight increase in the jaguar population. This growth is restricted to the zoo sector. Pic- tured here is one from the Catoctin Zoo in Maryland. Photo by Kelly Hahn.

(Above) Amur, African, and Asian subspecies of leopards make up the captive population. Amur leopards are intensively managed by the AZA zoo system. This leopard resides at Frenchak Farms Zoolog- ical Conservatory. Photo by Courtney Frenchak.

9 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 61, Issue 2 • Apr.-June 2017 tor felt a 38% drop in cougars and a 56% mens housed in 70 facili- drop in facilities keeping them. Zoos ties. Zoos keeping cheetahs remained relatively stable again with 196 increased by 53%. Only cougars in 100 institutions. The change five cheetahs in 2016 were was only 8% and 5% fewer. The all other housed in three sanctuaries sector reeled with a 78% drop in cats with and 17 in six non-zoo set- 49% fewer facilities keeping them. There tings. were only 121 places holding 127 cats in Jaguars also saw a slight 2016. Another notable statistic is that increase in numbers on the there are 96 facilities holding only one cat whole. They were up 15% in the zoo and all other sectors. These to 140 animals in facilities, animals are effectively removed from the which was up 10%. This potential breeding population unless trans- growth was restricted to the ferred to a facility with a mate. Both the zoo sector, which increased zoo and sanctuary sectors currently have by 24% and 18%, to 110 non-breeding policies for cougars. The Snow leopard populations are also on the rise in jaguars housed in 53 zoos. captive population holds a very bleak out- zoos and only one sanctuary listed a snow leop- The sanctuary population look if these trends continue. The only ard in their inventory. This one above resides at remained unchanged with positive light is that cougars are now the Catoctin Zoo. Photo by Kelly Hahn. six animals at five places. only big cat species not on the Endan- All other facilities saw a gered Species list. leopards had a drop of 27%. As with decrease of 11% to 24 jaguars in nine Leopards fared only a little better. The cougars, a significant number of leopards facilities. Outside of the zoos, the jaguar overall number of leopards fell 36% to are the sole member of the species kept at population is in dire straits. It is very like- 367 leopards in 175 American facilities. a facility, 56 in the zoo and “all other” ly that they will disappear from the private The number of facilities dropped only segments. Another factor facing leopards sector soon. 17% overall. Fifty-three (53) sanctuaries, is that these figures represent leopards in Snow leopards are another species kept 9% less, had 136 leopards, which was general and do not break out the sub- almost exclusively within the zoo realm, 38% less than in 2011. The zoos had 27% species known to exist within the United yet the number is increasing outside of fewer leopards while there were 11% States, African, Asian, North Chinese, zoos. Snow leopards are up 26% overall, fewer zoos, 63, holding leopards. It Persian, Amur, and subspecies hybrids. with 164 in 70 locations, up by 15%. should be noted that the data with which When these already low numbers are fur- There remained only one snow leopard in we were provided did not specify the sub- ther reduced into the proper subspecies, it one sanctuary and the “all other” segment species of leopard. AZA is working only becomes a critical number left for each was up 29% to 18 animals in nine loca- with the Amur leopard and has mandated subspecies. tions. The overall population is foreseen that all other subspecies of leopards in Cheetahs found a unique place within to remain constant or with slight increases their member zoos be “managed to extinc- the census. While all other big cats, in the coming years. tion.” The “all other” sector fell 42% to except snow leopards and jaguars, had Ligers, while not a naturally occurring only 117 leopards remaining in 60 facili- negative population trends in the last five species of wild feline, do exist in captivi- ties. The number of facilities holding years, cheetahs had a significant increase. ty. There have never been many, nor is it Cheetahs are kept almost exclusively by likely there ever will be, since they are zoos. In the 1990s, they were breeding hybrids and do not breed. The fact that very well. Enough so that the AZA’s the Endangered Species Act considers a cheetah SSP imposed a moratorium on hybrid to be classified the same as the breeding. When the moratorium was lift- lowest level of the two parent species ed, the cheetah population was either too means that ligers are now considered old to breed or simply would not breed. endangered with the elevation of lions to This resulted in AZA importing dozens of the endangered level in 2016. Previously, cheetahs from Africa for a new start. ligers were not considered endangered These imports are now well established since one of the parent species, the lion, and are breeding freely. ZAA zoos have was not endangered. This will make it also done importations that are breeding more difficult to sell ligers. It is doubtful well. Since AZA will not allow any of that there will be any significant changes their stock to be dispersed to non-AZA in the liger population in the future. In members, it can be expected that breeding 2016, there were 37 ligers in 18 homes. restrictions will soon be imposed so that This was down 14%, while the number of they do not exceed their available space. holding facilities increased 50%, up from Nationwide, there are already many facili- 12. It should be noted that 51% of all ties that house over 20 cheetahs each. The ligers reside in sanctuaries with a popula- past five years saw an increase of 58% in tion of 19. the cheetah population, up to 386 speci-

10 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 61, Issue 2 • Apr.-June 2017

11 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 61, Issue 2 • Apr.-June 2017 In Memory: A Tribute to Sally, African Caracal (November 28, 1998 - December 2, 2016) By Billie Lambert (as ridiculous as it sounds). I decided to put The first time I met Sally was Novem- a blanket on the ground ber 1, 2007. She was withdrawn, over- and sit on it. Instant weight, and rarely left her small den box. reaction! Sally immedi- When she did come out, she made a point ately investigated the of letting everyone know she was unhap- blanket. She still ignored py through her many caracal vocaliza- me, but lay on a corner of tions. After being initially startled by her the blanket near my feet. anger, my thought was, "Every cat has Every day after that, I their own personality; let her have her brought the blanket and space." But I was drawn to Sally. There she would try to get on it was something different about her. I as I was placing it on the decided to try and work with her and see ground. Before long, she where it would go. I began sitting on the was rolling playfully and ground inside her enclosure every day for reaching for my feet with a couple of weeks. I never approached her paws. Slowly, over her and she kept a suspicious eye on me several days, she got from a distance. closer to me until she was At this time, the only knowledge I had lying with the full length of Sally was that she spent her first seven of her body pressed plus years living in a condominium in against my legs. I decid- Homestead, Florida. When Hurricane ed to test the waters and Katrina made landfall in August 2005, she put my hand lightly on was discovered and relocated by Florida her back. She looked at Fish and Wildlife. me, grunted, and rolled With that limited knowledge of her around playfully. We past and no current progress, I wondered were bonded buddies Billie Lambert shares a kiss with Sally, her beloved if maybe Sally was missing the condo life from then on! caracal that passed away from kidney disease last Over a year year. later, I completed gave fantastic back rubs with her front the rigorous requirements and offi- paws (the highest honor she bestowed on cially received my Class II Felid her human friends). License from Florida Fish and On Nov 26, 2016, we had a scheduled Wildlife. I was finally able to home veterinarian visit to administer bring Sally home with me. Her rabies shots and satisfy our USDA new enclosure included a ten-foot- requirements to have an annual veterinary square garden shed that I had con- inspection. Sally had been treated for verted into a custom caracal arthritis for a few months now. I men- house. She had climate control tioned to our vet that Sally had slowed and a real bed with real blankets. down considerably and appeared to want She was in heaven! She settled in to drink a lot of water. Sally still had a immediately. very healthy appetite, no weight loss, and Soon, I began to bring family still enjoyed interacting with me as nor- and friends into the enclosure to mal. We agreed to schedule an in-office meet Sally. I thought Sally would vet visit to do routine blood work the fol- not like new people, because she lowing week. and I were very much bonded. I On November 28, 2016, Sally turned 18 was wrong (such an ego we years old. We celebrated her birthday by humans tend to have!). Sally having her favorite meal, venison. The loved everybody! For the next past nine years had been healthy and nine years, Sally became friends happy years. She was never sick a single Caracals are also sometimes referred to as with hundreds of people, both in day and she was only currently being caracal lynx because of their long ear tufts. person and online. In person, she treated for arthritis. I was thrilled with her Sally’s tufts hung down. Photo by Lon greeted everyone with happy health and expected many more happy Addison. grunts, lots of body rubs, and she

12 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 61, Issue 2 • Apr.-June 2017 days in her senior years. Three days later, I heard our dogs outside barking frantically. It was the kind of bark that said, "Something is very wrong!" I ran out and found Sally having a grand mal seizure. A hasty trip to the vet revealed advanced kidney failure. I am always amazed at an animal's ability to hide pain and discomfort. Advanced kidney failure? I knew she had slowed down considerably, but I was not expect- ing this. I barely had enough time to thank Sally for trusting me and giving me all those years of her love. Barely enough time to kiss her sweet face, caress her beautiful ears and those amazing tassels, and barely enough time to thank her for loving my family and friends so they could also Sally relaxes on her hammock on a warm Florida day. Photo by Billie know and feel the beauty of her soul. I Lambert. held Sally in my arms as she passed away on December 2, 2016. Feline Kidney Disease and Treatment By Dr. Karen Becker longer be able to conserve water, and the include malformation of the kidneys at Edited from an article appearing on cat will pass larger amounts of dilute birth, congenital polycystic kidney dis- http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healt urine. By the time that the creatinine lev- ease, chronic bacterial infections of the hypets/archive/2012/08/06/kidney-dis- els are elevated on the feline’s bloodwork, kidneys, high blood pressure, immune ease-in-cats.aspx 75 percent of nephrons in both kidneys are system disorders such as systemic lupus, gone. exposure to toxins, an acute kidney Chronic kidney disease is also called Causes of chronic kidney disease episode that can damage the organs and chronic renal disease and chronic renal failure. It means the kidneys have been gradually and irreversibly deteriorating over a period of months or years. Elderly felines usually develop some degree of kidney disease, and hyperthyroidism and chronic kidney disease tend to go hand in hand in many aging kitties. The kidneys are made up of thousands of microscopic, funnel-shaped tubes called nephrons. The job of nephrons is to filter and reabsorb fluids. In young, healthy animals, there are so many nephrons available that some are held in reserve. As the feline ages or in cases of kidney damage, some nephrons stop functioning and the reserve nephrons take over and start functioning for them. At some point in a feline’s life, all of the nephrons that can function are functioning. With no nephrons left in reserve, as damage to the kidneys progresses, signs of chronic kidney disease will start to appear. Because of the system of reserve nephrons, there are no signs of kidney insufficiency until the damage is really significant. When two thirds of the Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease. Illustration courtesy of nephrons are lost, the kidneys will no www.pdkcure.org.

13 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 61, Issue 2 • Apr.-June 2017 lead to a chronic kidney problem, chronic tant in providing critical information deciliter, severely elevated BUN, and mul- urinary tract obstruction, and certain about kidney function. It can pick up a tiple additional symptoms as well. drugs, especially the NSAIDs (non- urinary tract infection. More importantly, The amount of protein passed in urine steroidal anti-inflammatories), as well as it can quantify the concentration of your and the presence of elevated blood pres- some nephrotoxic antibiotics. Some cat’s urine and detect if microprotein is sure are also factored into the staging infectious diseases like FIV and feline being passed. These are two of the most process. leukemia can damage kidneys. Other common, earliest recognizable signs that Treatment goals for cats with kidney causes are heavy metal exposure, abdomi- kidney dysfunction is occurring. disease are to control uremia (which is the nal trauma, and possibly diabetes. Often Reduced kidney function affects the buildup of nitrogenous waste products in the exact cause cannot be identified. kidneys’ ability to concentrate urine, so the blood), delay the progression of dis- As blood travels through the kidneys, very dilute urine is a very common prob- ease, and maintain the feline’s quality of they perform an intricate filtering job that lem. Cats with failing kidneys really tend life for as long as possible. removes waste materials from the blood to drink more, then pee a lot, and then Fluid therapy is usually recommended and keeps the good substances like serum drink even more and pee even more. initially to deal with dehydration, anorex- proteins in the bloodstream. The kidneys Chronic kidney disease is staged ia, and vomiting, and to flush the circulat- also regulate the amount of water in the depending on the severity. The severity is ing waste products out of the system. blood. Kidneys help to maintain healthy estimated based on the level of waste Depending on the patient’s condition, blood pressure by regulating sodium. products in the blood and abnormalities in fluid therapy may be administered intra- They also regulate calcium and vitamin D. the urine. Stage 1 is characterized by cre- venously, and once the feline is stable and The kidneys secrete a hormone called ery- atinine levels in the blood that are less rehydrated, additional sub-Q (subcuta- thropoietin that stimulates the bone mar- than 1.6 milligrams per deciliter. Stage 2 neous) fluid therapy will need to be pro- row to produce red blood cells. is when creatinine levels are between 1.6 vided regularly. Subcutaneous fluids are When the kidneys are not able to func- and 2.8 milligrams per deciliter. Stage 3 injected under the skin, usually in the tion normally there are many organ and creatinine levels in the blood reach 2.9 to scruff of the neck between the shoulder body systems that can be affected. 5 milligrams per deciliter. There is mod- blades. The frequency of injections Because the kidneys have so many jobs to erate accumulation of waste products in depends on the severity of disease. do, there are many symptoms of kidney the blood, indicated by elevated BUN A diet high in excellent quality protein disease, and they can actually be quite (blood urea nitrogen). Stage 4 is charac- and lower than normal amounts of sodium variable from one cat to another. They terized by creatinine over 5 milligrams per and phosphorous is recommended. Con- can be subtle and progress trolling phosphorous intake slowly, or they can be severe has proven to be very impor- and appear quite suddenly. tant in controlling the progres- Symptoms of failing kid- sion of kidney disease. Most neys can include increased importantly, felines with kid- thirst and urination, leaking ney disease must continue to urine (especially at night), eat. Unlimited access to fresh vomiting and diarrhea, lack of water should always be pro- appetite, weight loss, depres- vided. sion, anemia, and overall body There are a variety of other weakness. therapies that can be helpful Other less common signs of depending on symptoms. kidney disease can be fractures High blood pressure may need resulting from weakened ͞FRESH + OASIS is the 'Missing Link' to a Healthy to be controlled. Anemia may bones, high blood pressure Complete Diet & Optimal Performance͟ need to be addressed. 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14 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 61, Issue 2 • Apr.-June 2017

15 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 61, Issue 2 • Apr.-June 2017 An Eye For An Eye: Tapanga’s Story By Sheri DeFlorio licensed through the USDA and are home It went from spring to summer quickly. Twin Pine Farm & Exotics to a vast array of farm animals as well as The weather became very hot here in the cats. We have close relationships with South Carolina. We set up a make-shift Stress can wreak havoc on our bodies, all of our felines; most have been raised enclosure (45x15) under our pool house causing unwanted problems with our indoors, in our home, for nearly two years and slowly introduced Tapanga to it. Each health and overall well-being. We all deal before they are introduced to the outdoors. day, I would bring her outside to this with stress in our own way and most of us Each and every one of our cats is very enclosure, which contained different items battle it on a daily basis; some years are much a part of the family. Although the from the house for her ease and comfort. better than others. adults may primarily live outside, we Tapanga spent a little longer each day in make sure to keep her new “playhouse," which in reality was that relationship more spacious then the RV we all suffered strong by rotating in. them back inside As day turned into night and night our home every turned into day, Tapanga became more few weeks. stressed in her environment. Although I During the fire, did my best, spending time with her out- we were raising side and bringing her inside the RV at our first leopard times, it just was not enough to give her cat and she was hope that things would go back to normal living with us in once repairs were completed on our home. our home. She The hot, 100-degree summer days, daily was two years old rainstorms, and loud construction workers and had never all took a toll on Tapanga’s health. been outdoors, A month later, in the early morning I with an exception noticed she was squinting one eye, but not of our deck at thinking much of it, I was hopeful the irri- times. In the blink tation would be better that evening when I of an eye, we returned home. I could have never been found ourselves so wrong; the chaos and stress in her life Tapanga hangs out by the computer as her “mom” Sheri homeless, but and ours became challenged yet again composes her story for the FCF Journal. unable to leave the with what ended up being a three-month farm because of battle trying to save Tapanga’s eye. our animals. Our Stress can alter one’s immune system Stress on animals can cause life or only option was to camp out, so within a and, in this case, the eye irritation turned death situations, especially in the wild. month, we parked a 29-foot Environmental changes, mating seasons, RV travel trailer behind our even food or diet can cause our wild uninhabitable home, while species to slowly become nonexistent. We the insurance company have an important responsibility with the processed our claim. Hoping animals in our care. It is our duty to for the best, my husband and know, watch, observe, participate, and I moved into our new “tiny educate ourselves for our animals and house,” with Tapanga, our their future. The more we get to “know” leopard cat. Months flew by our felines, the better off both of us will before construction started be in the long run. Seeking knowledge on the house. Meanwhile, and having an understanding of their pref- Geoffroy’s kittens were born erences, quirks, and even habits can pre- and our space became too vent unnecessary stress. tiny for comfort. Bottle- In 2016, a fire in our home created feeding the Geoffroy's put chaos in our lives, causing a hopeless strain on our close-knit liv- uncertainty each day for over a year. Not ing quarters and Tapanga only were we displaced from our home, became unhappy. I wish I but our animals were, too. could have explained to her Our main focus at Twin Pine Farm & what was happening and that Exotics is conservation through breeding. this living situation was just We focus on two feline species: the Geof- going to be temporary and to Photo of beautiful Tapanga’s eyes before a froy’s cat and the leopard cat. We are give her some kind of hope. severe bacterial infection caused a corneal ulcer that threated to destroy her vision.

16 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 61, Issue 2 • Apr.-June 2017

A pair of Geoffroy’s kittens help Tapanga forget her misery. Remend® Corneal Repair which she was very close to at that point. Gel, Gentamicin Sulfate Knowing that this feline is rare and not Vet tech Valerie Claeys prepares Tapanga for ophthalmic solution, specializing in ophthalmology, the vet rec- surgery, holding the mask over her face as she is Tobramycin ophthalmic ommended me to a specialist. Both sedated using isoflurane gas. solution, and Neo Poly Tapanga and I did not have time for an Dex Ophthalmic, but ophthalmologist located two hours away; into a full-blown bacterial/viral infection weeks passed and Tapanga’s eye contin- she had been through enough and so had I. with a corneal ulcer that was about to rup- ued downhill. It got to the point where We talked about her options while I ture, which took an inventive veterinarian she no longer allowed me to intervene. explained our living situation, the stress and his compassionate team to successful- Some of the eye drops were painful, some and how she no longer would let me near ly treat. soothing, but as week three approached, her eye. Her chances for a full recovery The first vet I went to prescribed a few she let me know that enough was enough. and successful treatment, if seen by an different eye drops and ointments which In desperation, I called another veterinari- ophthalmologist, were uncertain. had no effect on the healing or the pain an that I have trusted my exotics with for As I pondered with decisions, Dr. M. she was experiencing. A few more trips to years, but was located over an hour away. called me from the hospital's waiting that vet and a few more prescriptions of Tapanga was the first leopard cat our room with an idea to suture Tapanga’s different medications did not seem to vet, Dr. M., had the pleasure of working third eyelid closed. Because of the time make a difference. We had tried with. During the sensitivity for treatment and knowing I examination, while was incapable of administering any more she slept soundly, he eye medication, this procedure would give investigated the con- her the eye protection needed to allow dition of this leopard healing. Surgery was quick and we left cat’s eye. Dr. M. more hopeful. Tapanga stayed with us in invited me into the the tiny house. We made it all work by exam room to see shuffling and rotating the Geoffroy’s kit- what we were tasked tens outside and also bringing them with with. He used his us to work. Tapanga was constantly paw- medical tools to open ing at her eye, trying to itch and groom the eye wide so we herself, which resulted in the sutures had a clear view; breaking free during the second week. Tapanga’s eye was a Her eye looked worse than it had ever horrific green color looked before. Another call to Dr. M. and that was oozing white she was back on his table for round two. and looked excruciat- He was not pleased with the results; the ingly painful. I was ulcer had gotten worse rather than better, told that if this infec- and her ulcer was even closer to a rupture After surgery, Tapanga had to wear an Elizabethan tion spread, she could at any given moment. collar to prevent her from rubbing out the stitches lose her vision and While Tapanga slept, we gave the third that held her eyelid closed. possibly her eye, eyelid procedure another go; he adminis-

17 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 61, Issue 2 • Apr.-June 2017 tered a onetime dose of platelet-rich plas- pain/itching. This medicine was made us that day, in that room and in that hospi- ma to her eye, using her own blood plas- especially for Tapanga by the local phar- tal. As Dr. M. removed the sutures, we all ma to promote healing. We left the hospi- macist, using cod liver oil. The Famci- stood there in suspense as her eyelid sub- tal with more sutures than last time and a clovir was to be administered orally twice sided; her eye revealed healing. Although cone decorating her neck. The two Geof- a day. Tapanga hated the smell of cod we were uncertain of her sight and vision, froy’s youngsters saw Tapanga come liver oil, so I had to become inventive, we were certain that her eye did not rup- home looking like an alien, but must have taking a dropper and squeezing the dose ture, and the procedure had saved it. had pity on her. They would curl up close on the inside of her cone. The medicine Tapanga left the hospital with me that day to her and quietly sleep while she was in slowly made its way down to her and she suture-free, cone-free, and with eyes misery. Dr. M. prescribed Famciclovir, an had no other choice but to lick it off or be bright, open, and pain free. I glanced at antiviral drug, orally. Famciclovir is used doomed with it dripping onto her neck. her during that long drive home and saw to treat infections caused by certain types This cruel method worked and we made it her contentment and happiness -- some- of viruses, such as herpes simplex and through two long weeks. Tapanga was thing I had not seen in months. herpes zoster. Famciclovir decreases the sound asleep and back on Dr. M.’s table It has been nearly a year since that drive severity and length of these outbreaks. It for the outcome we all hoped and prayed home from the hospital with Tapanga. We helps the sores heal faster, keeps new for. are still waiting for construction crews to sores from forming, and decreases Finally, good news and relief fell upon finish the work on our home and we are

Corneal Ulcer Information Edited from brane caused by the destruction of the platelet-derived angiogenesis factor http://www.prptreatments.org/veteri- substance of the cornea by infection) and (PDAF), vascular endothelial growth fac- nary/corneal-ulcers-dogs-cats/ corneal perforations. The chronology tor (VEGF), epidermal growth factor occurs as the stroma is destroyed, gener- (EGF), insulin-like growth factor (IGF), A complicated corneal ulcer (CCU) is ating a rupture of the Descemet’s mem- and fibronectin] are released when the any ulcer involving deeper layers of the brane, then corneal perforation involving platelets become active, enabling all of eye, such as the stroma, Descemet’s the endothelium, and, finally, prolapse of their physiological functions, which membrane, and endothelium. An ulcer the iris. regenerates lost tissue by stimulating cell also should be considered as complicated If the full chronology happens along differentiation and tissue morphogenesis. if scarring has not occurred after ten days with severe bacterial infection, the This is incredibly important and differ- of treatment for simple corneal ulcer patient will most likely lose vision and/or ent from the scarring process, since (SCU). the eye. Neovascularization, uveitis, regeneration means that the function of Samples should always be taken for edema, and other systems will be mani- the tissue is reinstalled, while scarred tis- culture studies before applying any dye fested in a more severe way than with sue covers the damaged area, but does or medication. Within the CCUs, there SCU. not possess physiological activity. are indolent ulcers, “melting” ulcers (col- Conventional treatments for CCU PRP is especially useful in cases of lagen dissolving that gives a jelly-like include specific topical antibiotics based corneal ulcers, since the main concern is appearance), deep ulcers, descemetocele on culture results, topical and/or systemic the timing. If the installed treatment does (a bulging forward of Descemet’s mem- NSAIDs, topical atropine, and, in many not work fast, the consequences are irre- cases, temporary surgery is versible. PRP therapy, along with the indicated. basic pain management and antibiotic Different surgical tech- medication, accelerates the healing niques may be used, but process. pedunculated conjunctival In cases of SCU, the clinical results are flaps and keratoplasty are impressive, since pain is significantly the most common ones, reduced, and the epithelium cell mitosis since they keep lubrication happens much faster. For CCU cases, and blood supply to the clinicians have reported less scarred tis- ulcer. sue and adherences, faster recovery, and The Platelet-Rich Plasma lower rates of blindness secondary to per- Alternative for corneal foration. ulcers contains serum, leu- On top of this, inflammatory and/or cocytes, and platelets. The allergic reactions are not an issue (as it growth factors contained may happen with other medication, or inside the alpha granules of commercial serum from different Unlike most tissues in the body, the cornea the platelets [such as species), since the PRP is an autologous contains no blood vessels to nourish or pro- platelet-derived growth fac- preparation, which lowers the risk of sec- tect it against infection. Here, the third eyelid tor (PDGF), transforming ondary effects. is lifted up to reveal a corneal ulcer of the stro- growth factor (TGF), platelet ma. factor interleukin (IL),

18 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 61, Issue 2 • Apr.-June 2017

Theo, a young leopard cat stud vaca- A happily recovered Tapanga has her eyesight and a new daugh- tioned at Twin Pines for about six months, ter, little Amaia. was a perfect boyfriend for Tapanga. enough. Dr. M. did fantastic work with it. I am sure I speak for Tapanga as still living inside the RV. We share this with Tapanga, and the staff was compas- well. I have learned not to give up, keep story hoping to help others be aware, pre- sionate and empathetic throughout the fighting, have hope, and live for tomor- pared, and educated if something similar process. row. Everything happens for a reason and were to happen in their lives. I have learned about stress, what it can there is always light at the end of the tun- Tapanga's’ eye healed slowly; it took an do, ways to prevent it, and how to cope nel. additional four to five months for the end result. She does not have full vision in her eye, but it is nearly close to perfect. We are pleased with the outcome, which exceeded all of our expectations. During her healing process, we distracted her from the nightmare she lived through by finding her a boyfriend. After searching nearly a year for a mate, a leopard cat named Theo arrived from North Carolina. He vacationed here at the farm for about six months. When they encountered each other for the first time, they became insep- arable and the best of friends. Theo kept Tapanga occupied and she enjoyed his companionship. Her first baby was born in January of this year, and she gave birth in the RV right by my side. She mothered Amaia since day one and has done an amazing job, allowing me to be involved every step of the way. Her daughter has been a friend and playmate since Theo returned back to his home. We are so proud and thrilled to see Tapanga happy and content. We hope to be back in our home by fall, which cannot come soon Amaia and her mother Tapanga are living proof that persistence pays off.

19 Stonehenge structure provides welcome sh for the caracal. Photo by Courtney French Snow leopard enjoys the Canadian winter. Photo by Rob Moyes.

Your Best Shot

Momma serval nurses her litter of four! Dani Florida panther looking pretty after all Photo by Billie Lambert. these years. Photo by Jim Broaddus. hade hak.

Kisa Eurasian lynx relaxes in the Chubbs bobcat face study with mutton spearmint patch in front of the chops flared. Photo by Patricia Trulock. ts! zinnias. Photo by Lynn Culver.

Salem snow leopard gets used to his new home at the Wild Feline Advocacy Center. I can lick my nose; can you? Biff is Photo by Shelleen Mathews. showing off. Photo by Sheila Adams. Feline Conservation Federation Volume 61, Issue 2 • Apr.-June 2017 Convention 2017 is Ready for You – Are you Ready to Attend?

Make those travel plans now – whether you plan to drive or fly, time is running out. The closest airport is Sarasota, but also within an hour’s drive are both the Tampa International and the Boca Raton Airport, where you can rent a car and have it for your Florida vacation. The FCF Convention will be hosted at the luxurious Hyatt Regency Sarasota hotel, which offers shuttle service from Sara- sota Airport, as well as to downtown Sarasota and world famous Lido Beach. So definitely plan your vacation around Convention and reserve extra time for the ocean. The beach sand is white, powdered sugar-covered with gorgeous shells everywhere. The water is crystal clear! What more could you ask for? The fun begins at 2 pm, Tuesday, July 25th, when registration opens, the kittens are on display, and silent auction tables are ready for your bids. Enjoy libations and a delicious supper before the general membership meeting. Get a great night’s rest in the luxury of the Hyatt rooms so you’ll have plenty of energy for back-to-back field trips on Wednesday. Visit Big Cat Habitat, an FCF member facility run by Kay and presentations. Cincinnati Zoo Head Nursery Keeper, Dawn Clayton Rosaire. Here, we will view plenty of big cats, includ- Strasser, has raised everything from aardvarks to zebra to duikers in the zoo’s nursery, and the FCF will welcome her as our very special guest speaker at this year’s Convention! In March of last year, Dawn Strasser began raising a bunch of cheetah cubs born from a C-section. Sadly, their five year old mother passed a few days after surgery, but, with the help of Australian shepherd “Blakely,” resident nursery companion and provider of snuggling, comfort, and a warm body to climb, the cubs are now healthy, normal yearlings. This past February, three female Malayan tiger cubs were born at the zoo and ignored by their mother, so it was Dawn to the rescue. She is busy rearing them, once again with the help of Blakely. Dawn has also been posting updates on the star of the Cincinnati Zoo’s Facebook page, Fiona, the preemie Nile hippo being reared in her nursery. Get ready for some very interesting stories and experiences during her talk on Thurs- day morning. President Kevin Chambers will elaborate on the latest findings from the FCF Wild Feline Census results and the genetic ing lions, tigers, ligers, leopards and cougars, as well as bears, health of our captive feline populations. primates, birds, and small cats, too. Clayton will present a big The FCF’s Education Chairperson, Lynette Lyon, of Lyon cat show and spend time with us answering questions and sharing his vast animal training knowledge. We’ll also watch the trained bird show. Then we’ll visit the Ringling Brothers, Barnum & Baily Circus Museum. We will have two and a half hours to explore the rich history of the circus, see the amazing Howard Bros. Circus model, and experience hands-on interactives. You are also welcome to tour the Museum of Art filled with treasures, including Old Masters, contemporary art, and special exhibitions. And what animal collection is complete without botanicals? Get plenty of ideas at the Bayfront Gar- dens, 66 acres of magnificent grounds and gardens, featuring Mable Ringling’s Rose Garden. Friday night, you are free to hit the town and dine at one of Sarasota’s many fine restaurants. Saturday morning, listen to the all-star lineup of speaker

22 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 61, Issue 2 • Apr.-June 2017 Ranch Therapy Animals, will share her unique perspective as a next-generation licensed wildlife educator. Lynette grew up amid her parents’ animal passion and, after spending some time in Wisconsin managing a zoo, and some time in South America “trying to save the rainforest,” she’s now committed to animal work at Lyon Ranch. Spend Saturday afternoon at the beach, by the pool, or sightseeing. Then join others for an hour of cocktails and final bidding on silent auction items before dining at the banquet dinner. This is your last chance to visit with old friends and new. Experience the fun and fellowship at the fundraiser auction, where the FCF raises money needed to meet the many goals and projects of the organization.

Start your FCF Convention Experience by taking one of the FCF’s Educational Courses

Monday, July 24th, at the Hyatt Regency Sarasota Hotel, the FCF will present both the Basic Wild Feline Husbandry Course and the Wildlife Conservation Educators Course. Both courses begin at 8 am, run throughout the day, and con- clude at 5 pm. These educational opportunities precede the Big Cat Habitat is Sarasota’s #1 Animal Attraction. convention and provide another great opportunity for learning and networking with other feline enthusiasts. Sign up for the Monday courses on the registration form. If you have never taken the husbandry course and already have cats, you will benefit, gaining a wider range of knowledge pertaining to the husbandry of wild felines. If you have already received a certificate from attending a husbandry course previously and you work at a zoo, sanctuary, or nature center, improve your ability to communicate educational mes- saging about wild felines to visitors by taking the Wildlife Conservation Educators Course. Enclosed is a registration form. You can also register online at www.felineconservation.org. Click on the “Upcom- ing Events” heading to reserve your hotel room at the Hyatt Regency Sarasota, and register to attend the FCF Convention!

Take the Wildlife Conservation Educators Course taught Monday, July 24th. Topics covered: Dawn Strasser, Cincinnati Zoo Head Nursery Keeper, will have plenty to share as our special guest speaker at Con- • Permits for wildlife exhibiting & laws that regulate vention. • What it means to be a professional wildlife educator & how you’ll impact your community & the animal industry • How to form a wildlife education business, establish a The FCF Wild/Exotic Feline Husbandry Course will professional image, & maintain credibility be taught Monday, July 24th. Topics covered • How to choose wildlife ambassadors include: • Animal husbandry, training, enrichment, & safety techniques • Natural History of Wild Felines • How to develop educational shows that flow smooth- • Regulatory Agencies & Permits ly, capture audience attention, & raise conservation • Facility Design awareness • Handling Equipment • How to market your business & shows • Diet / Nutrition • Valuable tips to improve your show & set yourself • Health Care Basics apart from competitors • Disposition & Handling • How to speak professionally to the media & your audi- • Behavior Conditioning ences • Contingency Planning • How to maintain & grow a healthy business

23 n — a Barbara, California For zoos b and small

Speedy the TuTurtle — Allison’s Bedro

Whether a zoo of 3,000 animals or a household of one, Mazuri® knows nutrition. Learn how we are advancing the science of animal nutrition. W W W.MAZURI.COM | Feline Conservation Federation Volume 61, Issue 2 • Apr.-June 2017 Cheetah Conservation Botswana Receives $1,000 FCF Conservation Donation By Rebecca Klein We have a number of farmers who have received dogs from CCB who have I wanted to thank the FCF so much for provided some great feedback. your wonderful donation through Wildlife Ms. Naomi Torumba: “I am a small Conservation Network; we are so excited stock farmer and started my farming to be partnered to conserve cheetahs in endeavor with 25 goats. Due to conflict Botswana! With the global cheetah popu- with jackals and cheetahs, however, my lation continuing to decline (only around herd was not growing. I received a live- 7000 now), the importance of Botswana’s stock guarding dog from CCB in 2015 cheetahs becomes ever more apparent. and since then my losses to carnivores With approximately 2000 individuals, it is have disappeared. I currently have 53 the only country where their population goats and through the money generated One of the cheetahs that CCB has remains stable and through the Cheetah from my small stock herd, I have man- collared and studied. Conservation Botswana work we are aged to build my family a house in my excited to be able to contribute to this village. I later sold some goats to electrify I met the CCB people who told me about with your support. the house and buy the livestock vaccines. their programs (farming with predators), All is going well at CCB. In February My livestock productivity increased and I was privileged to be given a well- we held a training workshop for 23 farm- tremendously after placing a dog and has trained dog ‘Radipodi’ free of charge. ers to provide livestock management enabled my life to improve. My commit- With pleasure I tell you this dog is doing training to communities experiencing con- ment in livestock management has well. It has chased away all jackals and flict, this was also attended by Botswana inspired other people in my area so much other predators in my area. The dog is Television, so we enjoyed the added that they have now started placing dogs on always with the herd, he goes out with bonus of having this initiative promoted their own while others call CCB for assis- goats from morning to evening every day. nationwide. In March we had a communi- tance in this regard. I am starting to I no longer worry of losing my livestock ty engagement meeting attended by 300 believe that with such techniques, coexis- to wild predators. I thank CCB for this people, including chiefs and elders, to tence with cheetahs really is possible.” livestock guard dog program; they are provide feedback to our focal communi- Mr. Andrew Molatole: “I am a farmer doing an excellent job. It is a positive ties on programs and activities in their in the Ghanzi region. I have been staying support to farmers and I recommend it to in this farm for almost 20 years. Cheetahs anyone with predator problems.” used to be my problem because they were We just finished the latest livestock preying on my goats. One day by word- guarding dog veterinary clinic in early of-mouth, I heard about the cheetah peo- October last year. Mark Bing, DVM had ple and their job to support farmers. the following to say: “I seldom gush, but I Without hesitation, I contacted their office am feeling happy and contented at the in Ghanzi and told them about my prob- way the dogs that I have recently neutered lem. In fact, I wanted them to come and have been treated and how happy they all take away their cheetahs from my farm. It were. CCB is doing a magnificent job and was then that I was enlightened about a need commending.” livestock guarding dog program. They So far in 2017, we have already placed gave me two dogs that I use to protect my another ten livestock guarding dog pup- herd from predators. I am happy to tell pies with farmers experiencing conflict CCB provides livestock guard pup- you that I have never had a case of depre- with cheetahs in the Kalahari. These dogs pies to goat farmers. This program dation to my goats in this farm since these were all from the same litter that was due has stopped losses from predators dogs were introduced. My goats are mul- to be euthanized at the local animal shel- and improved relations between tiplying and that means more profit in my ter. We intervened to give them a brighter stock farmers and native cheetahs pocket. Cheetahs are not a threat to my future. They are all doing well! We have that share the grazing habitat. herd anymore. I am happy to live along- another six puppies in training. Our side them.” research has already shown that the use of areas. While April saw the CCB team Mr. Batshidi Tsae: “I am a small stock these dogs reduces livestock losses and bringing together our farmers networks farmer specializing in rearing of goats. improves tolerance. We estimate that for meetings, along with environmental During my first days here, there were each dog will protect its herd from bush camps at our education center to get many jackals troubling my goats in this approximately 30 cheetahs during its life- children excited about living with chee- land. I was losing more of my goats to time. tahs and how they can use appropriate jackals. I would lose approximately four Thank you for helping us to make our techniques to coexist with cheetahs and goats in a month and that was hard on me. work possible! other carnivores. I wanted to give up farming, until the day

25 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 61, Issue 2 • Apr.-June 2017 Zandy’s Litter of Seven By Mechel Whitaker only on the bigger, stronger babies, since she probably had the instinct Zandy is a very loving, three year old that she would not be able to produce serval girl and the proud mom of a litter of enough milk to feed them all. It seven healthy kittens born on April 4, always amazes me how Mother 2017. It was a stormy day and very close Nature knows best. to Zandy's due date, and we all know ser- After much consideration, I decid- vals love to have their litters on the ed to help Zandy out and bottle-feed stormiest days. I think it has something to the three small ones. All of the kit- do with the low barometric pressure. On tens survived for two weeks and, on the day Zandy had her litter, I started my the second week, two of the smallest day by going out to the serval nursery to died, most likely due to aspiration. It check on Zandy and feed her a few guinea is very hard not to aspirate the little pigs for breakfast. She gobbled them ones, because they are so eager to down pretty quickly and she seemed feed. You have to be careful and feed unstressed and relaxed, so I went about small amounts every couple of hours. my morning chores cleaning enclosures Beside running and operating a and feeding the rest of the farm animals. serval refuge and breeding facility, I Two hours later, when I got back from also work as a laboratory scientist. taking Puma to Dr. Green for her wellness My job is to diagnose illnesses in ani- check, I went in to check on Zandy again. mals and humans. I see firsthand the I was excited to see she was quietly rest- damage that over-supplementing and ing and lovingly licking and nursing her commercial diets can do to our pets. One of seven kittens born to Zandy the four brand-new babies. Wow, that was I have learned through experience serval at the serval conservation and fast! This is an average size litter for her, that the nutritional health of a serval educational refuge run by Mechel so I thought she was finished. I left her queen has a great impact on the size Whitaker. alone with her new babies and continued of the litter and affects how many ova that affect litter size: on with my chores and, after a few hours, are produced and how many fetal abor- 1. The genetics of the breed - The spe- I went back to the nursery to clean her tions occur. Cats will absorb their kittens cific breed determines the average number room, change her bedding and feed her if they have poor nutrition or experience of kittens possible. lunch. To my great surprise, she had three too much trauma or stress. This large lit- 2. The age of the queen - The older the more babies; seven strong healthy babies ter size was not lucky or by chance. It cat, the smaller the litter. in all. She had already separated out three was the result of a lot of research, trial, 3. Bacterial, viral, or parasitic infections smaller kittens, either because she was error, good husbandry, and genetics. - If present, they could cause small litters, planning on feeding in two separate A serval litter size is on average one to low birth weight, stillborn and sickly kit- groups or she had decided to concentrate three kittens, but there are several factors tens. 4. Inbreeding - If you are inbreeding, the litters will be smaller. 5. Sperm count - The male sperm count determines how many ova are fertilized. 6. Number of breedings per estrus - The number of times a queen is bred by her mate and whether or not she is bred by more than one male during the same estrus matters. The queen can have kittens from different males in one litter. 7. Frequency of breeding - You will have bigger litters if you breed regularly. This keeps the womb roomier. Two litters a year seems to be the best, but they can have up to three litters a year, although I would not recommend it. 8. The queen’s size - The bigger the queen, the bigger the womb size and the Mechel stands next to Beth Rhines and Maxine Price in front of a typical greater the possibility for bigger litters. serval enclosure is spacious with grass, feline furniture, sheltered areas, 9. Nutritional health - The nutritional and connections to the Whitaker home. health of the queen and king is the most

26 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 61, Issue 2 • Apr.-June 2017 important factor. es. On top of this, only ten 10. Stress level - Servals percent of all the female in private facilities have cheetahs living in American more offspring and bigger zoos produced offspring. In litters than servals in public other countries, up to 70 % facilities. This is due to the of the females in captivity constant intrusions by staff gave birth and very few died and visitors. of liver issues. An Ohio A serval in its natural research team was hired to environment is an obligate help find out what the carnivore, meaning that its American facilities were nutritional needs are met by doing wrong. They showed eating a diet that consists the only difference between mainly of animal-based the American zoos and the proteins. The evolutionary other countries was that the history of the serval indi- cheetahs outside America cates that it has eaten a All seven of Zandy’s servals are identified with colored ribbon were being fed a whole-prey purely carnivorous diet collars. diet. The American zoos throughout its entire history. were feeding a diet of horse- litters increased from one to three kittens, Why stop now? You would not raise your meat, commercial cat food, and supple- from three to five kittens, and now the lat- kids on fast food diets and vitamins when ments. The researchers also found that the est is seven. I also noticed a big change in all the experts recommend a well-bal- soy, found in the cheetahs’ commercial their personalities and energy levels. anced diet of whole foods. diet, contained plant estrogens. These Their fur became soft and supple; it was A lot of people start out feeding their estrogens were being stored in the chee- not rough, dry, or brittle anymore. They servals Zupreem and chicken legs sprin- tahs and playing havoc on the cheetahs’ were healthy and happy on their new diet. kled with Wild Trax, because this is an hormones. The end result was infertility! Keep in mind that servals do not have a easy, cheap diet recommended by some The American zoos took this research natural thirst drive because they are accli- breeders. I did the same thing. My med- into consideration and decided to switch mated to the arid environment of their ical background helped me to combine my their cheetahs to a whole-prey diet. Great ancestors. Servals absorb most of their knowledge of animals and nutrition to improvements were seen almost immedi- moisture from their prey. Dry kibble is come up with a better nutritional diet that ately. The cheetahs’ liver production not hydrated and should never be a main makes a world of difference. Every cou- improved immensely and, once they were food source. Most commercial diets are ple of years, I have a wellness check done able to rid their bodies of the excess estro- filled with terrible ingredients that are on all my servals. I take them in to check gen, they were able to produce more off- allergens and indigestible, such as gluten, their viral panels, stools, titers, chemistry spring. It took a long time to rid their corn, grains, vegetables, soy, and other panels, and complete blood counts. I have bodies of the excess estrogen and to pro- unnecessary fillers. Soy is used as a meat gathered quite a lot of data and supporting duce normal hormone levels. The zoos replacer in most commercial cat foods and information. The lab results disturbed me also became better at preventing inbreed- causes infertility, hyperthyroidism, and were not as normal as I wished for. ing, which helped with fertility, too. seizures, and many more issues. The liver and kidneys enzymes fluctuated Servals have a shorter intestinal length In 1985, 29 cheetahs died in American from bad to worse. I quickly realized that than omnivores and herbivores and, zoos from liver disease and related illness- it was due to the diet and supplements I because of this, servals do not consume fed them. It is time for a fast change and quick! ANIMAL FINDERS' GUIDE I started to think and research about Published the first of each month what servals eat in the wild and decided to try to match their diet as closely as I could 12 issues – only $24 and repeat the wellness checks in a year. I Informative articles on exotic started ordering from Rodent Pro, Blue animal husbandry and what is Ridge Beef, and other companies that happening in the industry. raised whole prey. There are a lot out there. I put together a plan to start raising Exotic animals, my own chicks and rabbits in order to off- related products & services, set some of the cost. It is not cheap to eat auctions & shows advertised. healthy, not even for us. One year later, the results were in. The PO Box 99, Prairie Creek, IN 47869 results were amazing and unquestionably phone: 812-898-2678, fax: 812-989-2013 better. Their liver and kidney enzyme www.animalfindersguide.com results were back to normal. Their fertili- email: [email protected] ty was better and, within two years, my

27 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 61, Issue 2 • Apr.-June 2017 large meals and do not digest complex liver and kidneys and starches or fibers such as fruits and veg- cause issues and even etables. A serval’s stomach is small due death. to the fact that they do not eat large meals, The last dietary but instead eat small, opportunistic meals issue I would like to throughout the day and night. A wild ser- cover is one that might val’s diet mainly consists of small terres- surprise you. Its trial animals. So, a whole-prey diet importance cannot be including innards, fur, and bones is obvi- overlooked. It is criti- ously the best diet you could feed your cal that the serval has serval. You do not need to add supple- access to unfiltered ments to this diet, because everything they sunlight and grass. need is in the whole prey. In the wild, ser- Grass can be a very vals eat about 80% rodents (mice, rats, important part of any and rabbits); the other 20% can be any animal's diet. It can be combination of birds, frogs and lizards, a valuable aid to the and insects. Servals will also eat assorted digestive process. Sun- grasses, whole raw chicken, whole raw light is an important turkey parts, raw beef, raw venison, raw vitamin source for your Zandy plays with Easter eggs. rabbit, raw squirrel, raw quail, and raw cat, just as it is for you. fresh fish. Vitamin D from sunlight helps your ani- this latest litter size, I feel I am on the I do not recommend supplements mal convert calcium and phosphorus to right track. I can only compare the facts. unless a deficiency of some kind has been bone and teeth and helps keep them strong This information is not meant to be the identified. Servals have a small liver and and healthy. This is a major reason the end all be all. It is important that we all it takes longer to filter out the man-made outdoor enclosure is a must. keep learning from each other. Research, supplements and rid their bloodstream of Remember, this information represents study, and commitment are what will keep toxins. If you over-supplement, the man- my experience and my journey to become our animals strong, healthy, and thriving. made supplements can build up in the the best serval caregiver I can be. With

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©2013 Rodentpro.com,llc. Feline Conservation Federation Volume 61, Issue 2 • Apr.-June 2017 MaxAMillion was Truly One in a Million By Debbie Hayes 1999, we got a call. April Max has never jumped on my counters, told us that we may have but I had two pies cooling that day. I had Well, it all started back in to wait another year or washed the laundry and was hanging out a 1998. My husband and I they could refund our couple of blankets on the porch. When I sold our horse farm and money. They were having walked in the kitchen, Max was face first went on the road. We had big problems. They had in a pumpkin pie, up to his eyes. I fell on placed all of our animals, distemper running through the floor, rolling in laughter. except one cat; my Sequoia, the farm, even though the I loved my boy. I never had a problem, a red tabby Maine coon, animals were vaccinated. until December of 2016. Max was 17 who had health issues. I They said that they did years old. He was upside down on the bed did not want him to go have one litter and it was when I noticed this growth under his eye- where he was not loved. away from the others and lid and I didn’t know what it was, but We spent a lot of time trav- asked if I was interested. I from the looks of it, I was afraid that it eling coast-to-coast and vis- had told them when we was cancer. I called the vet and he was iting with friends in Idaho first met that my mother out the next day. I love my vet. He is a and Montana. Sequoia MaxAMillion spent 18 raised collies and showed mobile surgical unit. He also thought that ended up very sick in Boze- happy years living with dogs and I knew what it it looked like cancer. He told us that man, Montana, so we had to his people, Debbie and took to take care of them. Max's eye might swell and not to worry. put him down. He had Donny Hayes, even trav- I had tubes and had bottle- He dug around to try to get it all and sent problems from birth and we eling the country as a fed neonate puppies. I the tissue in for a biopsy. never found out all of them. kitten in 1999. received MaxAMillion at Max’s eye never swelled. Max did He was two years old. ten days of age. They great under anesthesia and recovered with- We visited friends in Montana (Glen wanted us to take two more kittens for out a problem. Unfortunately, the lab and his wife, Ruby, who was a retired park free, but how was I going to raise three results showed squamous cell carcinoma. ranger), and Glen had taken on four bear bobcat kittens in a semi-truck? I could The comment was: Squamous cell carci- cubs; cute guys. The mothers had been not, but wish I had. Max spent the first noma of the conjunctiva and nictitans can killed and these babies had been shot but three months of his life crossing the coun- be multifocal, exophytic papillary lesion, survived and could not be released back try three times. When we were coming or aggressive infiltrative carcinomas with into the wild. Funny thing is that he from Florida, at a truck stop in Georgia, destruction of ocular tissue or penetration would take the cubs to the dog pound and the truck in front of us rolled back and hit of the globe in some cases. Often this let them pick their own playmates. Yes, our front end. It took out the air compres- occurs in dogs and cats secondary to they lived with each bear. He said that the sor for our air conditioner. That gave us a chronic inflammation of the conjunctiva. dogs kept the cubs exercised and lived great reason to go home and spend time Our vet wanted to recheck it in two their lives with the bears. there, so off we went back to Washington weeks. I sent him pictures. It was coming Well, after we lost Sequoia, both my State. husband, Donny, and I were always sad While home, we never had any prob- going through Montana, so I picked up a lems with Max. He was great. He lived Little Nickel (free county paper) and was in the house with us. We took him every- looking for an animal to go with us in our where. He would go in the motorhome truck. I was just kidding with my husband and on our boat. He did not like the rain, when I came across seven bobcat and lynx but would jump off the boat into the water. breeders in Montana. He said he liked the We had a life vest with a handle to fish idea. We spent about eight weeks check- him out. Everyone came by to see him ing out the different breeders and seeing and play with him. We always had fun their animals, finally settling on Jay and out in the garden with him. He loved veg- April Hersey of Hersey Fur Farm in Rock- etables. I asked the vet if it was okay, and ford, Montana. When we saw their three he said that if he wanted it, let him have it. year old daughter going into the cages Max loved fruits (all melons) and vegeta- with mothers and babies, we knew we had bles, both raw and cooked. He ate just found the right personalities. We were put about everything we did, except tomatoes. on a waiting list. We wanted a male, but I always wondered if it was because when they said they have more females than we were bottle-feeding and mixing in males and it could be awhile. Okay, I baby food while on the road, we could not thought, that gives us time to prepare. We find just beef, chicken, or veal. They were spent as much time learning what we all with vegetables. Funny. Max developed a squamous cell could about these cute critters. We kept in I never laughed as hard as I did one day carcinoma on the upper eyelid that contact and visited when we were coming around Thanksgiving. I had made two tragically led to his death in May of through Montana. At the end of April pumpkin pies. Now, you have to know this year.

30 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 61, Issue 2 • Apr.-June 2017 back. He said that we both these surgeries, surpris- out of a third surgery. I just could not do could try cryosurgery (also ing for a 17 year old bobcat. it to him. I needed to spend what time I called cryotherapy), a tech- But again, the cancerous had left with him. The next two photos nique that uses extremely mass was coming back and are three weeks apart. He was doing great cold temperature produced the vet didn’t think that we in the first one and left it alone. The next by substances such as liq- could do much more. The one was of the day we put my boy down. uid nitrogen to kill abnor- lymph nodes were affected You could see that he was not feeling mal or cancerous cells. He and if we tried to remove the well. It was the first time in his life that said he has had good luck eye, it would be a painful he ate and threw it up. I knew we were with this procedure, so we recovery, if he even made it making the right decision. tried. We were going to let it go and do a recheck in The day Debbie had her veterinarian perform euthanasia. His about a month. He had two tumor had returned and Max was clearly feeling ill. Debbie surgeries in less than five knew that the ultimate gift she could give Max was for a gentle weeks. He did okay with and well-timed passage to the afterlife.

What Are Eye Tumors? Edited from www.petcancercenter.org/ invading surrounding tissues and can Tumors that involve more than one third Cancer_Types_eye_cats.html cause death if the tumor cells travel along of the eyelid typically require more the optic nerve into the brain. Occasion- advanced reconstructive surgery and the Eyes are organs of vision which can ally, eye ultrasound, skull X-rays, CT use of skin graft. Invasion of the eyelid develop abnormal growth in many of (computed tomography), MRI (magnetic tumor into surrounding tissues will be their anatomical components. The outer resonance imaging), chest X-rays, and typically treated by a procedure called layer of the eyeball consists of the cornea lymph node cytology are required to exenteration, which refers to removal of and sclera (giving the eye most of its evaluate the localization and extent of the the eye along with additional tissues sur- white color). The middle layer includes disease, especially in rounding the eye. This proce- the iris, ciliary body, and choroid. The the case of malignant dure is done even if the eye choroid gives the inner eye a dark color. tumors such as SCCs has retained its visual func- The inner sensory layer includes the reti- or adenocarcinomas. tionality in order to prevent na. All eyelid tumors, the tumor's spread to the cen- Abnormal growths, whether benign or whether benign or tral nervous system, where it malignant, can have a devastating conse- malignant, have the can become life threatening. quence on the animal's vision and can potential to affect the Multiple tests are done prior to become life-threatening if they begin to cat's vision. this procedure to evaluate the invade the central nervous system. The Cryosurgery and/or extent of the disease and earlier the eye tumors are detected, the surgical removal are include skull X-rays, eye better chance the pet has for saving its the recommended ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI. vision. treatment options. Most eyelid tumors in cats An eyelid is a thin fold of skin and Cryosurgery provides are malignant; therefore, the muscle protecting the eye which can several advantages: it prognosis for cats is not as develop both noncancerous (benign) and is a quick procedure, good as for dogs. Fortunately, cancerous (malignant) growths. The less technically Malignant eye tumors can the metastatic potential of most common cat eyelid tumor is called demanding, and can sometimes be destroyed these tumors (tendency to squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), which be performed in older with cryosurgery, a pro- spread to other organs) is gen- usually first appears as a small plaque on or sick animals, since cedure which freezes the erally very low, although the a poorly pigmented eyelid, which subse- only a topical anes- cancerous tissue. If per- tumors are locally invasive. quently becomes thicker, larger, irregular, thesia or sedation is formed before the cancer The prognosis is excellent for and can eventually ulcerate. required. Swelling cells have metastasized cats that undergo surgical A typical symptom of cat eyelid SCC and temporary loss of to other organs, the prog- removal for tumors that are tumors is the appearance of a mass, pigmentation is usu- nosis is excellent for relatively small in size. Cats which can be accompanied by inflamma- ally expected after the cats, though sometimes should be monitored every tion and discharge. To confirm a suspect- procedure. The spe- the procedure has to be three months to check for any ed SCC diagnosis, the mass should be cific treatment of repeated. tumors coming back. SCCs biopsied and sent to a pathologist (a choice will depend on often come back and are typi- board-certified veterinarian who special- the tumor type, size, location, how cally treated with multiple cryosurgeries. izes in diagnosing diseases) for analysis advanced it has become, the animal's life White cats are at increased risk of devel- prior to treatment. SCCs are malignant expectancy, whether the procedure will oping SCCs and additional sites, includ- tumors, but generally slow growing. re-establish the eyelid's functionality, and ing the nose tip and the ears. They do, however, have the potential for the financial limitations of the owners.

31 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 61, Issue 2 • Apr.-June 2017 Bartonella - Cat Scratch Fever Edited from www.vetstreet.com/care/bar- and is used to tonellosis-cat-scratch-disease detect cat bartonel- Join the Zoological Association of America losis by seeing if Both fleas and ticks are known to the cat's body has Several levels of membership spread the Bartonella henselae bacterium made antibodies include commercial, educational, which causes what is known as cat scratch against the Bar- facility, and individual. fever. Cats contract the disease through tonella bacteria. Facility Accreditation is also the feces of fleas. When scratching the Polymerase chain available. fleas or when grooming, the bacteria from reaction (PCR) is the feces catches in the cat's nails. The cat an advanced promoting the P.O. Box 511275 then passes on the bacteria when playing method that tests responsible ownership, Punta Gorda, FL 33951 with humans or when protecting itself by the cat's blood or a management, and propagation 941-621-2021 scratching or biting a human. lesion on the affect- of animals in both info@zaaorg To diagnosis cat scratch fever, the vet- ed human for the private and public domains www.zaa.org erinarian will ask for a complete health bacterial DNA of history of the feline and whether it has had Bartonella. any recent exposure to ticks or flea infes- The Bartonella bacteria are gram-nega- from three of the remaining cats. One kit- tations. Infected felines may display a tive, which makes it a more difficult type ten that remained bacteremic was treated variety of clinical signs, including chronic of bacteria to treat due to its complex unsuccessfully with enrofloxacin, and its inflammatory conditions such as uveitis outer membrane that is difficult to pene- bacteremia was finally cleared when it (inflammation of a part of the eye), stom- trate. In an experiment, Bartonella hense- was treated with a clavulanate-amoxicillin atitis (inflammation of the mouth), gin- lae infection was established in eight cats combination. After the bacteremia was givitis (inflammation of the gums), chron- of various ages by inoculation. All cats cleared, with a corresponding reduction in ic upper respiratory disease (sneezing, remained persistently bacteremic until serum antibody titers, all eight cats were nasal, and eye discharge), inflammatory they were treated four to seven weeks rechallenged with B. henselae. None of bowel disease (chronic vomiting and/or after primary inoculation. Antibody titers the cats became bacteremic after sec- diarrhea), and fever. increased and peaked between four and 12 ondary challenge, and all had higher and There are several tests available to diag- weeks for all cats. Treatment with doxy- more rapid increases in serum antibody nose cat scratch fever in cats. Because the cycline for one week was effective in sup- titers than after primary inoculation. The Bartonella bacteria are not always present pressing bacteremia in all cats, but was cats became resistant to reinfection fol- in the bloodstream, the veterinarian may effective in clearing infection from only lowing recovery from infection, indicating need to run more than one test to get a four cats. Amoxicillin, given subsequent- that immunoprophylaxis in cats might be definitive diagnosis. These possible tests ly, was effective in clearing the infection beneficial in helping to reduce their public include Western blot, which health risk. tests for antibodies against Many felines are able to the Bartonella bacteria. The develop the antibodies to blood used for the Western DonationsDonations protect themselves from the blot test must be sent to an bacteria. If the cat has only outside lab for proper diag- The FCF Board of Directors thanks the following individuals and mild symptoms, the veteri- nosis and takes some time to corporations who have made donations to FCF projects since the last narian may opt for no treatment in order to allow the get the results back. published Journal, providing additional funding for educational mate- cat's immune system to fight Immunofluorescence is used rials for members and legislators, supporting conservation, and to illuminate antibodies in it on its own. improving captive feline welfare. the blood or tissue using flu- Most cases of bartonel- orescent dye. The veterinari- We appreciate each donation, no matter the amount, recognizing that losis resolve within a few an will take a sample of the it is the many small gifts that, when combined, add up and make a dif- weeks. Care should be taken cat's blood and expose it to a ference in the effectiveness of the FCF. We encourage everyone to fol- to prevent the cat from coming into contact with the bac- specific antibody for Bar- low this example and donate funds for projects that interest you. tonella. The antibody will teria again by placing the cat attach to any bacteria in the on a flea preventative and sample and glow bright General Fund: Conservation Grants: keeping them out of areas that contain ticks, such as the green on the slide under a Chris Tromborg Patty Perry microscope. ELISA testing woods. works similarly to the West- ern blot, but takes a shorter The FCF appreciates your generosity & period of time to get results. continued support. ELISA stands for "enzyme- linked immunosorbent assay"

32 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 61, Issue 2 • Apr.-June 2017 Starla the Geoffroy’s Cat By Tina Rochester sure. They received regular vet care, too. Wednesday night, it was late. I went All felines saw the same vet. Thinking straight to Starla and I knew something My story is about my friend and com- back over her life, she had a couple of bad was seriously wrong. We headed to the panion. Starla was a female, two year old weak spells, where she would tire easily. emergency veterinary hospital and she Geoffroy’s cat. She was born July 7, There never was a cause found for it. died before we could get there. 2015. She passed away at 3 am on Thurs- One time, she had bad neurological I went back home. Pacing and upset day, April, 27, 2017. I hope by telling her symptoms with one of the attacks. Blood and crying; I was a real mess. I had to story I can save someone else the work was done but nothing was diag- wait until my regular vet office opened up heartache that I have gone through. nosed. She had an X-ray done on her to see about getting a necropsy performed. I will start with her home life first. I heart at nine months old during one of The vet overnighted her body to Clemson acquired her when she was six weeks old. these weak spells. It showed something of Veterinary Diagnostic Center in Colum- She was strictly an indoor pet. She was an enlarged heart. The vet drew fluid bia, South Carolina. I got the report back raised with domestic cats. She was loose from somewhere around the chest cavity. in a week. Their diagnosis: Chronic dif- in the house with supervision and was It was sent off to check for cardiac dis- fuse pyogranulomatous myocarditis, Bar- ease. Everything was negative. The vet tonellosis suspected. associated the enlargement due to still Diagnosis comment: The cause of ill- growing. No more mention was ever ness and death is the profound myocarditis made of it. Starla received her last with fibrosis and interstitial pneumonia. FVRCP vaccine and her rabies shot in The pyogranulomatous inflammation in September 2016. She saw the vet one the heart suggests a bacterial infection. A more time around November 2016, for few silver staining, short, rod-shaped bac- another slight cold. Again, she cleared teria were seen in macrophages and may up. Everything was going good for six be Bartonella ssp. months. Then boom - she was gone. I know Bartonella is caused by an Now I am going to back up to a month infected tick or flea bite per my vet. Make before she was gone. We have a closed- sure to keep regular flea and tick medicine in carport. It is off my laundry room. We on all your pets. Starla the Geoffroy's lived in Tina's fixed a couple of enclosures in there for In conclusion, I wonder if there is any- home and was a beloved member of Starla and several of our domestic cats. thing that I could have done differently. I the family. The reason for the enclosures was so the do not know. I ask myself how I could cats could be confined and stay safe. have known she was that sick in her lungs kept in a spare room when no one was There was no way of getting outside. We and chest. The vet said it took her quick- home. Starla was active as any Geoffroy’s have had to limit the time they had in the ly. Even antibiotics probably would not cat, or so I thought. She played with toys same room with my husband. Over the have helped with as much pus and fluid and would steal objects and hide things if last six months or so, my husband has was around her heart and in her lungs. Do given a chance and was loved a great deal become allergic to the cats. He takes I think stress brought it on? Yes, I do. by our family. She really loved the stuffed allergy medicines for it. But enough to kill her? I do not see how. animals and she had a stuffed horse that I acquired another female Geoffroy’s There are a lot of questions I will never looked like a unicorn which was her cat and a Bengal that we housed next door have answers to. Hopefully my story will favorite toy. She even slept with it. to Starla. Cages in the carport are side by help someone else. Her diet was a combination of raw side. I do not think Starla was very chicken thighs mixed with Wildtrax Feline happy. She was eating normally, but had Supplement, calcium, and she ate the become very clingy. She still received Zupreem Exotic Feline diet in the can. I time inside our home with me. The last always worried that she was not getting month, I was enjoying all the nice time what she needed with the thighs, so that she was giving me. She could be a little was why I also gave her Zupreem. diva when she wanted to be. Starla received regular veterinary care. Three days before she died, on Mon- I took better care of this cat than myself. day, the first day she was ill, she was She received the required vaccines that lethargic, had watery eyes, was trying to she was supposed to have, appropriate for eat, but was still drinking water. I had to her age, regular deworming, and flea med- work the second shift these couple of ication. She was sick a few times in her days. Tuesday, the second day, she was life with an upper respiratory infection. still lethargic and had some upper respira- Antibiotics seemed to help as she would tory symptoms. Wednesday, the third Geoffroy's cats are one of the small- always clear up. We assumed that maybe day, she was about the same. I had a vet est felid species. Adult females gen- she picked up the cold from the domestic appointment scheduled on Thursday at 10 erally weigh 6 to 8 pounds, and cats or out of the blue. No one knows for am. When I came home from work males are 8 to 12 pounds.

33 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 61, Issue 2 • Apr.-June 2017

Myocarditis Edited from (vetbook.org/wiki/cat/index. Treatment of heart inflammation rounding the heart causing excessive php?title=Myocarditis) & (www.vetary. requires immediate treatment and hospi- fluid buildup and pressure) is present. com/cat/condition/heart-inflammation) talization if there are any signs of Blood clots can be common if the heart is myocarditis. Veterinary efforts will tar- experiencing cardiomyopathy. Certain Myocarditis is an extremely rare get improving the heart’s contraction, blood thinners to decrease the possibility inflammatory disease of the heart muscle relieving congestion, and reducing con- of blood clots forming may be utilized. (endomyocardium) which develops slow- striction. There are many medications to Any additional necessary medications ly over days or weeks and is character- stabilize the heart and provide relief. such as antibiotics and anti-inflammato- ized by leucocyte infiltration of heart Beta-blockers can be used to slow the ries will be prescribed to treat any under- muscle and secondary degeneration as a heart rate down if there is tachycardia. It lying disease causing the myocarditis. result of inflammatory changes. In will also decrease stress on the heart and Treatment success largely depends on felines it is thought that myocarditis may reduce its need for oxygen. One of sev- the feline’s immune response to the be triggered due to stress, respiratory eral types of muscle relaxers may be cho- inflammation, as it will indicate any infection, Toxoplasmosis, Bartonella, or sen if the heart is restrictive due to the structural or functional abnormalities. If restrictive cardiomyopathy. beginnings of cardiomyopathy (stiffness the myocarditis has become severe and Affected cats are often less than eight of the heart wall). If the heart is failing has led to congestive heart failure, the years of age. Many are found dead, to contract properly because of conges- prognosis may be poor. Likewise, if rather than showing pre-mortem clinical tive heart failure (weakness), medication arrhythmia or cardiomyopathy is deter- signs. Felines which do show symptoms will be prescribed to help the heart to mined, then the prognosis will be guard- often present with difficult breathing, contract properly. ACE inhibitors and ed. Be sure to minimize stress at all depression, and increased white blood diuretics will be administered to relieve times if possible after treatment to help count for one to two days before death. hypertension and congestion if heart fail- with recovery, and limit feline activity Interstitial pneumonia is a common histo- ure has occurred and if pericarditis until your veterinarian tells you it is okay. logical finding post-mortem. (inflammation of the pericardial sac sur-

Incidents of Myocarditis in Cats from Bartonella Edited from www.cfsph.iastate.edu/Dis- infected fleas, however, developed fever the blood of a young cat with aortic valve easeInfo/pdf/bartonella-infections-in-ani- and inappetence. One of these cats was endocarditis, and antibiotic treatment mals-supplement.pdf euthanized, as it became severely ill, and resulted in total resolution of the heart myocarditis was found at necropsy. murmur and valvular lesion. In experimental studies, most cats There was some evidence that this cat B. henselae infections were reported in inoculated with B. henselae remained may have failed to mount an adequate two cats with fatal pyogranulomatous asymptomatic or had only mild clinical immune response; it had the lowest IgM myocarditis and diaphragmatic myositis signs. In one experiment, cats developed titer to Bartonella, and was the only cat at an animal shelter. Ten cats at this shel- inflammatory swellings or pustules at the that did not have detectable IgG to this ter developed fever, lethargy and diarrhea inoculation site. Other clinical signs organism. after a litter of flea infested cats entered reported in experimentally infected cats A few case reports have attributed car- the facility. Feline leukemia virus were lymphadenopathy, myalgia, and diac conditions, especially endocarditis, (FeLV), feline panleukopenia virus, and transient fever with lethargy and anorexia to Bartonella. B. henselae DNA was feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) during febrile periods. Transient mild detected by PCR in the diseased heart were ruled out. One kitten died after behavioral or neurological dysfunction, valves of two cats that died of endocardi- developing acute respiratory distress, and consisting of disorientation, nystagmus, tis. B. henselae was also isolated from an eight month old cat, which had been in hypersensitivity to stimuli, contact with the litter, died decreased responsiveness to acutely two weeks later. Bac- environmental stimuli, or Visit the site, choose teria were found in inflamma- increased aggressiveness, as “Feline Conservation tory foci in the heart of both well as mild transient anemia, Federation” as your cats, as well as the diaphragm eosinophilia, and reproductive of one cat. These bacteria disorders have also been charity and then shop. You’ll find the exact were identified as B. henselae reported. same low prices, vast selection, and conve- by immunohistochemistry. In a recent study, no cats nient shopping experience as Amazon.com, PCR detected B. henselae inoculated intravenously with DNA in the heart of one cat, B. henselae became ill, with the added bonus that Amazon will and in multiple tissues includ- although bacteremia was donate a portion of the purchase price to ing heart and diaphragm of the detected in all cats. Three of the Feline Conservation Federation. other cat. six cats exposed to B. henselae-

34 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 61, Issue 2 • Apr.-June 2017 Acupuncture for Ataxia By Shelleen Mathews placed. This needle is inserted above the forehead Two years ago we found between the ears. I took a one of the jungle cat hybrids blanket to hold him on the (F1) at the Center, Booba, table while it was inserted. having sudden difficulty Almost immediately he walking. The trouble relaxed and became drowsy. seemed to be primarily He lay down on the blanket affecting his hind quarters and the vet said she would be and back legs. He was back in a few minutes. Dur- brought inside for further ing her absence, he was very examination and evaluation. good and only required a nib- We watched him closely ble now and then on a during that day and deter- crunchy cat treat. mined that a trip to the vet- Needles were placed at key erinarian was needed, as he points on the inside of his was basically unable to use back legs and along both his back legs to stand up or sides of his spine, with spe- walk. cial attention given to the area He was seen by one of our where x-rays had shown the regular veterinarians, who The first needle is placed between the ears to calm the kitty, genetic issue. Within min- hoped to get a much better and is aptly named the “happy needle.” utes, the vet beamed and said, idea of what was going on. "This is VERY good! Look We left him there for a few hours so they acupuncture points in their bodies. The at the energy flowing." The area corre- could do a thorough examination, blood needles are one half to 1 1/2 inches long. sponding to his back problem was twitch- work, and x-rays. When we returned later The process is generally painless. ing and crawling. It was an amazing thing in the day, we were told that the prognosis I wasn't sure how this procedure was to see. The veterinarian said the needles was not good. They had discovered a going to be accomplished, because Booba need to stay in for 45 minutes for the max- genetic abnormality in his spine, about wasn't entirely tractable. I asked if seda- imum effect. I had my doubts, but he lay midway, which was probably affected by tion would be needed and was told that there calmly for the needed time. When taking a fall or jumping wrong in his habi- they would prefer not to. The vet said the needles were removed and Booba was tat. We were told there was no medication there was a secret called the "happy" or placed in his crate for the trip home, the or surgery they could suggest that would "calming" needle, which is the first one vet said she wanted to see him again in a help him. Although we had week. She showed me how to never used it before, I asked if exercise his back legs and told it would hurt him further if we me he would need to be tried acupuncture. The vet told switched from one side to the us they could really do nothing other about every two hours. but traditional medicine for And, of course, because he him, so I made an appointment couldn't get to a litter box, we with another veterinarian that needed to keep him clean. uses acupuncture. With a hind end injury it is According to WebMD, common to see problems with "Acupuncture is a form of tra- urination and defecation. Not ditional Chinese medicine that to mention that it would be dif- has been practiced for cen- ficult for him to clean himself. turies. It's based on the theory We returned the following that energy, called chi, flows week for his next treatment, through and around a body with much the same result. along pathways called meridi- The veterinarian was still ans." extremely pleased with his The super-thin acupuncture reaction to it. The next treat- needles are used to redirect or ment the following week pro- influence the flow of the Needles placed at key points on the inside of Booba’s duced the same hopeful patient's energy (chi) to address back legs and along both sides of his spine stimulate response on Booba's part. certain issues. Like people, energy flow and cause the area corresponding to his Later that day, I was working cats have about 365 key back problem to twitch and crawl. on the computer and turned

35 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 61, Issue 2 • Apr.-June 2017 around to check on him and, to my sur- days, he regained his strength and ability him in an overly large habitat with high or prise, he was sitting upright for the first to walk. Three treatments of acupuncture difficult things that he might fall from and time in over three weeks! I went over to were able to accomplish what we original- reinjure himself. He has several soft beds, tell him what a good guy he was and; ly didn't believe his future would hold. low hammocks, and always at least one although he was wobbly, he was able to Two years later, he continues to be cardboard box, which every cat enjoys. stand on all four legs. Over the next few mobile; however, we can no longer keep

Acupuncture in Cats Edited from www.felinewellness.com/ points selected, the number of needles cat brought in on an emergency basis for acupuncture-and-cats used, and the length of the session all paresis of both hind legs. He was in depend on the condition being treated. In great pain and unable to stand. After Acupuncture is not painful or distress- general, most patients are seen once or radiographs, a diagnosis of intervertebral ful to a cat when done by a qualified and twice a week initially, and then the num- disc disease and arthritis was made. experienced veterinarian. Special nee- ber of treatments is tapered off. Because Panda had underlying kidney dles are inserted into specific points on Although a response may be seen after disease, the selection of pain control an animal's body. The needles help redi- only one treatment, four to six are usually medication was limited. The owners rect the body's energy fields (called chi) needed. decided to try acupuncture. Acupoints back into harmony. Like people, cats Acupuncture can be used along with were selected for pain control and muscle have about 365 key acupuncture points in regular veterinary medicine to treat a relaxation. After the 20-minute treat- their bodies. The needles induce the variety of feline conditions, including ment, Panda went from screaming in pain release of endorphins, the body's feel- inflammation, pain, arthritis, neurological to being relaxed and purring. Panda con- good hormones. Endorphins control pain issues, traumatic injuries, intervertebral tinues to have regular treatments as need- by causing blood vessels to dilate, which disc disease, inflammatory bowel dis- ed for his chronic disc problems. increases oxygen and allows nutrient-rich ease, loss of appetite, liver support with Arthritis and Hyperesthesia blood to flow around joints and muscles. chronic elevated enzymes, chronic con- Kujo is an 18-year-old male domestic Acupuncture needles are very small – stipation, endocrine cat that had hyper- quite a bit smaller than the hypodermic and reproductive esthesia (rolling needles used to give vaccinations. There issues, thyroid dis- skin) and barbering may be a mild sensation of warmth or turbances, respirato- of hair on his lower tingling when the needle is inserted, but ry and cardiovascu- back. He experi- it is very transient. There may also be a lar issues, asthma, enced much pain in sensation at the prick of a needle, but this hypertension, uri- the lower lumbar does not last when the needle is left in the nary issues, kidney area and spent a lot acupoint. Some points are more sensitive support in chronic of time pulling out than others and most veterinarians will insufficiency, painful his hair there. His avoid them altogether or use other meth- urination syndromes, back felt hot in this ods such as low level laser to stimulate dermatologic issues, area. He was diag- those points. Most veterinary acupunc- hyperesthesia (hair loss), allergies, lick nosed with pain and arthritis of the lum- turists who practice on cats try to use as granulomas, anxiety, immunologic bar spine. Chiropractic and acupuncture few needles as possible, use very small issues, and support for FIV. were performed on Kujo – these were his needles such as Korean Hand Needles, or only treatments. After five acupuncture use low-level laser. A couple of case histories: treatments, the hair-pulling had com- Each ten- to 20-minute treatment is Disc Disease pletely resolved. Kujo now has monthly individualized to each patient. The Panda is a 12½-year-old male domestic maintenance treatments.

First Quarter Board of Directors Meeting Minutes 2017 By Rebecca Krebs Ratify the 3rd Quarter 2016 Minutes - The Kevin Chambers, seconded by Pat Calla- minutes stand ratified as previously han. The motion carried with a unani- The first quarter board of directors meet- approved, no changes or comments made. mous “yes” vote. ing was held on the FCF forum from March 8-19. Board members present Treasurer’s Report: Make Appointment to Appoint Caroline were: President-Kevin Chambers, Vice Total in bank: $85,070.50 Alexander Chair of the FCF Wildcat Safe- President-Mindy Stinner, Treasurer-Lynn ty Committee - Moved by Kevin Cham- Culver, Director-Pat Callahan, Director- Voting and motions: bers, seconded by Pat Callahan. The Robert Bean, and Director Chris Trom- Make Appointment to Appoint Lynn Cul- motion carried with a unanimous “yes” borg. ver as the Journal Editor - Moved by vote.

36 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 61, Issue 2 • Apr.-June 2017 IUCN Update: Cat Taxonomy The taxonomy of cats has undergone considerable changes in the past, not only at the level of species and subspecies, but even at the level of genus. The IUCN (International Union for the Conservation for Nature) Cat Specialist Group initiated a review of the present taxonomic system of the Felidae by an expert group, the Cat Classification Task Force (CCTF), and their findings are published below. Cat family (8 lineages, 14 genera, 41 morata nosus rubiginosus species, 80 subspecies) longicaudata phillipsi koladivius Panthera lineage (2 genera, 7 species, 14 Ocelot lineage (1 genus, 8 species, 16 Fishing Cat - Prionailurus viverrinus subspecies) subspecies) viverrinus Lion - Panthera leo leo Pampas Cat - Leopardus colocolo coloco- rhizophoreus melanochaita la Pallas’s Cat - Otocolobus manul manul Jaguar - Panthera onca braccatus nigripectus Leopard - Panthera pardus pardus munoai nimr budini Domestic Cat lineage (1 genus, 7 delacouri garleppi species, 10 subspecies) kotiya pajeros Chinese Desert Cat - Felis catus tulliana wolffsohni Domestic Cat - Felis catus fusca Geoffroy’s Cat - Leopardus geoffroyi Jungle Cat - Felis chaus chaus orientalis Guiña - Leopardus guigna guigna affinis melas tigrillo fulvidina Tiger - Panthera tigris tigris Southern Oncilla - Leopardus guttulus African Wildcat - Felis lybica lybica sondaica Andean Mountain Cat - Leopardus jacobi- cafra Snow Leopard - Panthera uncia ta ornata Borneo Clouded Leopard - Neofelis diardi Ocelot - Leopardus pardalis pardalis Sand Cat - Felis margarita margarita diardi mitis thinobia borneensis Oncilla - Leopardus tigrinus tigrinus Black-Footed Cat - Felis nigripes Clouded Leopard - Neofelis nebulosa pardinoides European Wildcat - Felis silvestris sil- Margay - Leopardus wiedii wiedii vestris Puma lineage (3 genera, 3 species, 6 vigens caucasica subspecies) glauculus Cougar - Puma concolor concolor couguar Lynx lineage (1 genus, 4 species, 8 sub- Cheetah - Acinonyx jubatus jubatus species) soemmeringii Canada Lynx - Lynx canadensis venaticus Eurasian Lynx - Lynx lynx lynx hecki balcanicus Jaguarundi - Herpailurus yagouaroundi carpathicus dinniki Caracal lineage (2 genera, 3 species, 8 isabellinus subspecies) wrangeli African Golden Cat - Caracal aurata Iberian Lynx - Lynx pardinus aurata Bobcat - Lynx rufus rufus celidogaster fascatius Caracal - Caracal caracal caracal nubicus Prionailurus lineage (2 genera, 6 FCF T-Shirts feature snow leopard schmitzi species, 14 subspecies) face in bone white ink. Serval - Leptailurus serval serval Leopard Cat - Prionailurus bengalensis constantina bengalensis Sizes Small to XX Large. lipostictus euptilurus Sunda Leopard Cat - Prionailurus java- Super soft shirts come in charcoal, Bay Cat lineage (2 genera, 3 species, 4 nensis javanensis navy blue, or black. subspecies) sumatranus Borneo Bay Cat - Catopuma badia borneoensis Order online at Asian Golden Cat - Catopuma temminckii heaneyi www.felineconservation.org temminckii rabori moormensis Flat-Headed Cat - Prionailurus planiceps T-shirts mailed to U.S. addresses Marbled Cat - Pardofelis marmorata mar- Rusty Spotted Cat - Prionailurus rubigi- are $20, $23 for XX Large.

37 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 61, Issue 2 • Apr.-June 2017 Wildlife Conservation Network Spring Expo By Chris Tromborg Its founder, Ashwin Nadu, maintained that support from On April 29, 2017, the FCF was both instrumental Wildlife Conservation EXPO and critical in launching the was held in San Rafael, Cali- organization’s work to begin fornia, at Dominican Universi- protecting the fishing cat. The ty. The EXPO included Fishing Cat Conservancy has exhibitors from 30 conserva- 25 people participating in tion organizations and signifi- community-based research to cant presentations from five promote the conservation of conservation biologists. the fishing cat and to better Felines were well represent- protect its mangrove habitat. ed, with exhibits from the Ashwin presented his work to Cheetah Conservation Fund, the 2014 FCF Conference and the Snow Leopard Conservan- his work has been published in cy, the Fishing Cat Conservan- the FCF Journal. cy, the Mountain Lion Founda- This year, 2017, FCF tion, and, of course, the Feline Dr. Chris Tromborg speaks to visitors of the FCF booth at awarded a grant in the amount Conservation Federation. The the Wildlife Conservation Network’s Spring Expo. Photo of $1,000 to Cheetah Conser- Feline Conservation Federation by Julie McNamara. vation Botswana. This illus- exhibit was supervised by Dr. trates FCF’s continued com- Chris Tromborg, who also supervised the extremely accomplished animal handler, mitment to supporting important research exhibit of the Mountain Lion Foundation. with expertise working with a variety of on felid conservation in the field. In an At the FCF exhibit there was assistance small and medium sized animals, includ- awkward moment of ironic timing, this from Julie McNamara, Danny Cusimano, ing many felids such as servals and cara- award was announced at precisely the and Lynette Lyon. Julie McNamara is cals. Lynette is also well trained in the moment that the author of this article was responsible for the accompanying pho- vagaries of socializing infant cats, again engaged in a conversation with Dr. Laurie tographs. The Mountain Lion Foundation especially servals and caracals, although Marker, the founder of the Cheetah Con- was represented by Dr. Tromborg, she has also raised many other species of servation Fund! Katharine (Kit) Livingston, and Erin cat. In the past, she has published in the While a few FCF members, such as Hauge. FCF members will recognize Dr. FCF Journal. Lynette is presently main- Lynette Lyon, still work with ocelots, the Tromborg as a member of the FCF Board taining a group of recently rescued organization has certainly evolved from of Directors and Lynette Lyon as the most ocelots, which she reports must be its humble LIOC origins, as an association recently appointed chair of the FCF Edu- nature's most charming and easy-going of pet ocelot owners, to become an impor- cation Committee. Lynette is also an felines!! tant contributor to feline conservation. The Fishing Cat Con- servancy had an exhibit.

FCF Education chairperson Lynette Lyon and Dr. Chris Dr. Tromborg manned not only the FCF booth, but Tromborg sit at the FCF booth and educate visitors on the also the Mountain Lion Foundation booth. Photo organization and its mission and members. Photo by Julie by Julie McNamara. McNamara.

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1212 2626 The mission of the FCF is to support the conservation of wild felids by advocating for qualified individuals to own and to pursue husbandry of wild felines, providing expertise and material support to ensure the continued welfare and viability of these populations, contributing to research, and funding protection programs that benefit felids living in nature.

Front Cover: Biff, the Eurasian Lynx youngster, is looking mighty "spiffy" for Apr/May/June 2017 Volume 61, Issue 2 the Journal cover. He's the pride and joy of JB and Reva Anderson, living the good life with them in Ashland, Missouri. Photo by Sheila Adams.

Back Cover: Beautiful liger, Mia, and Bengal tiger, Barry White, will be amazing the FCF members attending this year's Convention. Our field trip to Big Cat Habitat and Gulf Coast Sanctuary, in Sarasota, Florida, includes a special wild cat show featuring these two and others. More Convention details start on page 22 in this Journal. Photo by Debi Willoughby.