AHT Case Studies- Tiger
In February 2008, experts from the Animal Health Trust (AHT) in Newmarket, Suffolk, flew to Tenerife, along with Andrew Greenwood of the International Zoo Veterinary Group, to perform a tricky cataract operation on one of the world’s rarest creatures: the white tiger.
The AHT team consisted of Dr Keith Barnett and David Donaldson, two ophthalmologists who normally perform the procedure on dogs and cats. David acknowledged that carrying it out on a tiger presented more risk, as there are obvious limitations when assessing the beast in the first place!
“A close examination of the eye is not possible – unless you’re feeling particularly brave!” he explained.
Prince, the big cat, lives at Loro Parque, a beautiful, exotic wildlife park in Puerto de la Cruz, with mate Saba, a tiger of regular colouring. The park is also home to four gorillas and the world’s largest collection of parrots.
Prince had been living with cataracts for a while, and was completely blind, so the experts were sent out to restore the animal’s vision.
“In order to perform the cataract surgery, a general anaesthesia is necessary which initially involves using a ‘dart gun’ to deliver a dose of sedative medication,” said David. “It was very important that the tiger was fully sedated before the anaesthetists entered the enclosure to place the breathing tube in his lungs. It was also essential that the depth of anaesthesia was monitored very closely, so the tiger remained fully asleep throughout the procedure.”
Everything went to plan and the following day, the tiger’s sight was perfect in the eye which had undergone the surgery.
“The operation went like a dream,” said Dr Barnett. “It has made such a difference to his sight and therefore his quality of life. It was excellent – better than we could have expected!”
Since the procedure, Loro Parque has told the AHT that Prince is doing really well, and clearly enjoying his enhanced sight.