It never ceases to amaze me to learn of individuals in the animal care field willing to just let animals die because it’s the natural thing to do.
Case in point: The sanctuary’s vet was called in to examine a lioness that has experienced problems for the last two months. When the former directors were in charge, the vet was called in to find out why the lioness was not eating (hmmm…could it have been all the “green slimy meat served to her on a regular basis?). The vet’s initial conclusion was she contracted “renal failure.” No blood test taken, of course, to confirm this diagnosis. Just, she has “renal failure.” When the new meat was served to the lioness, she briefly experienced improved appetite and energy output and there was hope the vet misdiagnosed the cause of the animal's distress.
When the lioness experienced serious problems this week once again, the new director called the vet. The vet looked the lioness over (from outside the cage) and made the diagnosis that the lioness was “renal.” I was told the director asked her how she could make this diagnosis without any blood tests run on the lion. The vet apparently replied that she was experienced in diagnosing renal failure as she has seen it so often and that she was sure it was the cause of the animal’ health problems.
I was told the director insisted on a blood test to confirm the diagnosis despite the vet’s objection. Before the test came back, the lioness took a turn for the worse and the director decided to send the lioness to A&M for immediate treatment. I was told the director was concerned the lioness looked so badly there was concern she may not survive the trip to A&M.
I learned last night the lioness was on her way home, the diagnosis—a vitamin A deficiency. This is the same deficiency that caused Vivi’s death back in July 2009.
The vet, AKA Dr. Kevorkian, was advised of the vitamin A deficiency and two courses of action was proposed by A&M to treat this condition. I was told the two recommended treatments include brain surgery (high risk) or steroid shots given to the lioness for the rest of her life (low risk). Dr. Kevorkian, I mean the vet, apparently told the new director that perhaps it was “best to just let nature take its course.” Yikes!!! Is this what she tells her clients when they bring in their sick dogs and cats for treatment—perhaps you should just let nature take its course—and simply let the animal die???
Happily I learned the director plans to give steroid injections to the lioness until such time they are no longer needed. The lioness is young and really deserves a chance to live, especially since it was the pseudo-sanctuary and its former directors caused her health problems in the first place.
Sadly, I learned the majority of the tigers and cougars that died this year were also diagnosed as having a vitamin A deficiency. I learned it may take several months before the surviving animals build up enough vitamins and minerals in their systems to off-set any additional health problems they may face very soon.
Did Dr. Ehrlund know about the vitamin A deficiency?
************************************************************************************
Subject: lioness
Date: Wed, 21 Oct 2009 12:30:32 -0400
From: texvet@aol.com
I've checked on the progress of the diagnostics at TAMU this morning. MRI is next.
Looking very much that the diagnosis will be hypovitaminosis A as I discussed w/ you all already. If that is confirmed, then this will be the 3rd exotic cat that I have diagnosed w/ this problem w/n that last several months.
That is an indictment of the former diet used if this is the case.
Also along the way, we have discovered various of the other animals had pre-existing disease common to their ages, so fixing the diet will help overall but you will still expect age related disease (not contagious) conditions in other animals.
Loretta A. Ehrlund, DVM
Heritage Veterinary Medical Center
9793 Culebra Ste 109
San Antonio, TX 78251
210-509-1707
Texvet@aol.com
http://www.heritagevetsa.com/
Subject: summary
Date: Wed, 21 Oct 2009 17:25:28 -0400
From: texvet@aol.com
It is confirmed that the neurologic symptoms experienced by Tsalvo are due to hypovitaminosis A. This situation will not correct itself. There are some treatment options. We should discuss those.
This also means that the former diet is insufficient and the cause of the symptoms. Many of the lessor affected cats will improve over time w/ the new diet but not completely get "well" as the lesions are permanent. It would be best to discuss that at length as this is affecting many more of your cats than just Tsalvo.
It is good to confirm this. Actually, the blood panel from the blood draw Oct 4, came in late last night showing decreasing vitamen A levels. And I would bet that the labs from Monday which we will not get back (Vit A levels) until next Mon will show a worsening condition. That w/ your MRI will be good to know for your board and your employees, but particularly to those that help you w/ the funds for the food stuffs. Because it is confirmation that you must buy a better quality of food or the WAO itself can cause troubles in these animals as is what happened.
Thank you for allowing me to send Tsalvo to A&M for confirm this diagnosis. Overall it will help in the care in all the cats.
Tsalvo is on her way home at this time, I have talked w/ Dr. Hoppes who is sending you a report. I don't expect any, but if you have any troubles when Tsalvo arrives, call my cell.
Loretta A. Ehrlund, DVM
Heritage Veterinary Medical Center
9793 Culebra Ste 109
San Antonio, TX 78251
210-509-1707
Texvet@aol.com
http://www.heritagevetsa.com/
*************************************************************************************
Dr. Ehruld knew that the WAO was giving out terrible meat to the animals and she did nothing to save them. By her own admission, T'Savo was the 3rd big cat she diagnosed as having a vitamin A deficiency within the "last several months."
Thankfully, a new director, whom has the animals’ welfare at heart, is running the show. I just pray she can fund raise enough money to off-set the cost of the medicine many of the animals may require in the future because of their past care. In the meantime, I hope Dr. Kevorkian (AKA vet) is replaced very soon by an animal doctor wanting to save these animals and not just let them die because it’s best to let “nature takes it course.”
Case in point: The sanctuary’s vet was called in to examine a lioness that has experienced problems for the last two months. When the former directors were in charge, the vet was called in to find out why the lioness was not eating (hmmm…could it have been all the “green slimy meat served to her on a regular basis?). The vet’s initial conclusion was she contracted “renal failure.” No blood test taken, of course, to confirm this diagnosis. Just, she has “renal failure.” When the new meat was served to the lioness, she briefly experienced improved appetite and energy output and there was hope the vet misdiagnosed the cause of the animal's distress.
When the lioness experienced serious problems this week once again, the new director called the vet. The vet looked the lioness over (from outside the cage) and made the diagnosis that the lioness was “renal.” I was told the director asked her how she could make this diagnosis without any blood tests run on the lion. The vet apparently replied that she was experienced in diagnosing renal failure as she has seen it so often and that she was sure it was the cause of the animal’ health problems.
I was told the director insisted on a blood test to confirm the diagnosis despite the vet’s objection. Before the test came back, the lioness took a turn for the worse and the director decided to send the lioness to A&M for immediate treatment. I was told the director was concerned the lioness looked so badly there was concern she may not survive the trip to A&M.
I learned last night the lioness was on her way home, the diagnosis—a vitamin A deficiency. This is the same deficiency that caused Vivi’s death back in July 2009.
The vet, AKA Dr. Kevorkian, was advised of the vitamin A deficiency and two courses of action was proposed by A&M to treat this condition. I was told the two recommended treatments include brain surgery (high risk) or steroid shots given to the lioness for the rest of her life (low risk). Dr. Kevorkian, I mean the vet, apparently told the new director that perhaps it was “best to just let nature take its course.” Yikes!!! Is this what she tells her clients when they bring in their sick dogs and cats for treatment—perhaps you should just let nature take its course—and simply let the animal die???
Happily I learned the director plans to give steroid injections to the lioness until such time they are no longer needed. The lioness is young and really deserves a chance to live, especially since it was the pseudo-sanctuary and its former directors caused her health problems in the first place.
Sadly, I learned the majority of the tigers and cougars that died this year were also diagnosed as having a vitamin A deficiency. I learned it may take several months before the surviving animals build up enough vitamins and minerals in their systems to off-set any additional health problems they may face very soon.
Did Dr. Ehrlund know about the vitamin A deficiency?
************************************************************************************
Subject: lioness
Date: Wed, 21 Oct 2009 12:30:32 -0400
From: texvet@aol.com
I've checked on the progress of the diagnostics at TAMU this morning. MRI is next.
Looking very much that the diagnosis will be hypovitaminosis A as I discussed w/ you all already. If that is confirmed, then this will be the 3rd exotic cat that I have diagnosed w/ this problem w/n that last several months.
That is an indictment of the former diet used if this is the case.
Also along the way, we have discovered various of the other animals had pre-existing disease common to their ages, so fixing the diet will help overall but you will still expect age related disease (not contagious) conditions in other animals.
Loretta A. Ehrlund, DVM
Heritage Veterinary Medical Center
9793 Culebra Ste 109
San Antonio, TX 78251
210-509-1707
Texvet@aol.com
http://www.heritagevetsa.com/
Subject: summary
Date: Wed, 21 Oct 2009 17:25:28 -0400
From: texvet@aol.com
It is confirmed that the neurologic symptoms experienced by Tsalvo are due to hypovitaminosis A. This situation will not correct itself. There are some treatment options. We should discuss those.
This also means that the former diet is insufficient and the cause of the symptoms. Many of the lessor affected cats will improve over time w/ the new diet but not completely get "well" as the lesions are permanent. It would be best to discuss that at length as this is affecting many more of your cats than just Tsalvo.
It is good to confirm this. Actually, the blood panel from the blood draw Oct 4, came in late last night showing decreasing vitamen A levels. And I would bet that the labs from Monday which we will not get back (Vit A levels) until next Mon will show a worsening condition. That w/ your MRI will be good to know for your board and your employees, but particularly to those that help you w/ the funds for the food stuffs. Because it is confirmation that you must buy a better quality of food or the WAO itself can cause troubles in these animals as is what happened.
Thank you for allowing me to send Tsalvo to A&M for confirm this diagnosis. Overall it will help in the care in all the cats.
Tsalvo is on her way home at this time, I have talked w/ Dr. Hoppes who is sending you a report. I don't expect any, but if you have any troubles when Tsalvo arrives, call my cell.
Loretta A. Ehrlund, DVM
Heritage Veterinary Medical Center
9793 Culebra Ste 109
San Antonio, TX 78251
210-509-1707
Texvet@aol.com
http://www.heritagevetsa.com/
*************************************************************************************
Dr. Ehruld knew that the WAO was giving out terrible meat to the animals and she did nothing to save them. By her own admission, T'Savo was the 3rd big cat she diagnosed as having a vitamin A deficiency within the "last several months."
Thankfully, a new director, whom has the animals’ welfare at heart, is running the show. I just pray she can fund raise enough money to off-set the cost of the medicine many of the animals may require in the future because of their past care. In the meantime, I hope Dr. Kevorkian (AKA vet) is replaced very soon by an animal doctor wanting to save these animals and not just let them die because it’s best to let “nature takes it course.”
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