These animals were given cheap chicken without vitamin and mineral supplements. This means the animals were susceptible to the same conditions the animals had to endure under the Asvestas', which in my opinion, directly led to the deaths of approximately 12 big cats in 2009.
Why is it important for the big cats to have a proper diet?
According to: http://www.jbiomedsci.com/content/17/S1/S36
"Cats do not synthesize vitamin D3 adequately in the skin, and require a dietary source 15 16 17 18 . Fat-soluble vitamins work synergistically as well as antagonistically, particularly if imbalanced 19 . Felines also lack the ability to convert provitamin carotenoids, including ß-carotene, into active vitamin A 20 . Vitamin A is important to the integrity of the epithelium of the respiratory and digestive tracts. Large cats that lack vitamin A can develop sinusitis, diarrhea, blindness, conjunctivitis and neurologic signs 14 . Clinical signs from vitamin A-deficient immature lions include incoordination, "star gazing", blindness and intermittent convulsions 21 . Neurologic dysfunction accompanied by malformation of both the skull and the cervical vertebrae has been described in lions kept in captivity worldwide, and this dysfunction and malformation were most often related to vitamin A deficiency 22 .
When big cats eat whole animals or are given bones they ingest calcium and phosphorus in a ratio of two parts calcium to one part phosphorous. Chunk lean meat has a calcium:phosphorus ratio of 1:15 to 1:30. Great cats deficient in calcium intake can develop osteomalacia; thus, their diets should be fortified with calcium 14 . It easier for cubs to chew softer bones, such as those of goats, rather than the hard bones of horses 4 ."
Wow! This sums up exactly what happened to the WAO, the animals were literally dying inside due to the care given to them, first by the Asvestas' and then the Cryers.
So what happens to animals when they suddenly are given lots of vitamin and mineral enriched foods after a long period of near starvation? http://www.sheltermedicine.com/portal/is_starvation.shtml
"The desire to generously feed a starving animal is human nature, but can have disastrous consequences if done incautiously. "Refeeding syndrome" refers to the metabolic derangements that occur with the reintroduction of food after a prolonged period of malnutrition."
"During starvation, carbohydrate, fat and protein stores are depleted in that order, preserving vital structural proteins as long as possible. Serum electrolyte balance is maintained by a shift of intracellular ions (potassium, phosphorus and magnesium) to the extracellular space, leading to overall depletion of these electrolytes although serum values may be normal. Organ function is eventually comprised, leading to reduced cardiac, renal, immune and other functions. (5) "
"The major complications of refeeding are related to electrolyte imbalance, particularly hypophosphatemia, hypokalemia and hypomagnesemia. (3) The mechanism varies, but in general when a starved animal is fed glucose or carbohydrates, these electrolytes are driven into the intracellular compartment, which can lead to severe deficiency of serum levels. Ideally, serum electrolytes should be monitored at least every 24 hours for the first 5-7 days of refeeding, particularly if problems are encountered. Signs to watch for include muscle weakness, neurologic dysfunction (weakness, seizures, coma), and cardiac dysfunction. In addition to these signs, hypophosphatemia can cause hemolytic anemia, and hypomagnesemia can cause irritability or aggression. If any of these signs are observed, close monitoring and correction of electrolyte imbalances through fluid therapy is required. "
What other symptons can occur from a vitamin A decicient big cats?
http://www.peta.org/issues/animals-in-entertainment/pseudo-sanctuaries.aspx
"An animal nutritionist, funded by a local veterinarian concerned about the animals' care, had found vision problems attributable to vitamin A deficiency; bowleggedness in big cats from rickets, metabolic bone disease, or vitamin A deficiency"
So as you read the USDA Inspection report below, keep in mind the symptoms of animals near starvation and vitamin deficient and tell me -- where was the USDA?
Also, did anyone even consider the animals may have been suffering from "refeeding syndrome" once they were given the really good meat in late August or early September? It explains why the animals at the WAO took a turn for the worse within two weeks AFTER being fed the quality meat.
I want to correct a past post regarding the bobcats that went to Wildcat Haven Sanctuary. According to the USDA report, the small exotic cats did arrived in poor condition and did require medical care. It saddens me that the animals left the WAO in such poor condition and no one even bothered to check the animals to make sure they were even okay for travel.
I am very happy the cats' new home provided the medical care they so desperately needed--thank you Wildcat Haven!
But this does beg the question -- where were the animals caretakers? Could they not see that the animals were suffering from flea infestations? Why weren't the animals examined by a vet BEFORE transporting them to two other states? The poor small exotic cats had to suffer for a long time with fleas/internal parasites and I warned Dr. Pannill by email (below) about a possible flea and mosquito infestation as it was reported on the news that both bug populations were up due to the heavy rains received in May 2010.
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Sent: Sunday, July 25, 2010 3:00 PM
Subject: Re: WAO Tigers and Cougars
Greetings Dr. Pannill:
Yesterday a tour was sent in to the WAO in order to ascertain the condition of the tigers and cougars. The tour guide confirmed the 5 tigers (used to live at the rear of the property closed to the Asvestas') and 6 cougars were all okay.
The five tigers were moved from the rear of the property to what used to be the cougar compound (far right-side cage with the "lemonade stand”). The tour was only able to see three tigers but was assured there were five tigers living in the enclosure. The weeds were rather high and the two "hidden" tigers could have been sleeping behind the wooden structure or in the weeds. I am concerned with the height of the weeds because they could hide snakes (I have found several on the property over the years), ticks and fleas [emphasis added]. It also makes it difficult to ascertain the condition of the animals. It is my understanding the workers were still working on securing the back panels of the tigers’ enclosure, to ensure the animals were properly contained, at the time of the “change in management.” You might want to take a close look at the rear of the tigers' enclosure to make sure the work was completed before the tigers were relocated.
The tour was not allowed to see the cougars as they were still located at the rear of the property and tours are not allowed back in this space.
There were a few concerns that surfaced during the tour:
1. There were no food remnants in any of the enclosures, except for one—Tiny and Natasha’s (two bears) enclosure had one brown banana peel and several small carrots. When asked about the carrots, the tour was told by the tour guide that someone donated a lot of baby carrots and the bears were tired of eating the carrots. There were no other food remnants in the bears’ enclosure. Since feed should be given out in the morning, one would expect some food remnants in the bears’ or primates enclosures.
2. The use of pallets in the primates’ enclosures may not be the best wood accessory. Pallets were used several years ago and we discovered the wood cracks and breaks down rather quickly when exposed to the elements. Also, if not properly secured, high winds and rains can easily displace the pallets. It appears one of the pallets used as a shelf in the Barbary macaques’ enclosure has already fallen down as it is seen leaning against once side of the enclosure on the ground. I am concerned this type of shelf material may be dangerous for the macaques as well as the capuchins.
3. There were a lot of construction materials lying around the property which could be hazardous to the animals and the employees (wolf-hybrid enclosure and the quarantine cages).
4. It appears the animals’ above ground pools were painted inside and out. Even though it was hot outside, not one single animal were seen in the pools. I am concerned the paint chemicals used to paint the inside of the pools may leach into the water. This chemical contamination may not be good for the animals, especially if they try to drink the standing water.
5. The tour observed several dirty water bowls. If not cleaned regularly, mosquito larvae will develop in the water bowls and the animals could be exposed to a lot of mosquitos during the summer.
5. The tour was only able to see 2 primates living in the quarantine cages. Does that mean the dozen or so Bayer long-tailed macaques are now living at Talley?
6. The patas monkeys were not in their normal enclosures. Does that mean the patas monkeys were moved to Talley?
7. The tour was concerned with a missing dog that used to live in the wolf-hybrid enclosure (used to belong to Nicole Garcia) and Stripes the WAO domestic cat. Are there any records showing as to where they went?
Thank you Dr. Pannill for keeping an eye on the WAO’s animals
I brought this up primarily because the workers continually failed to clean the animals' water bowls. The workers are responsible for the care of these animals and they FAILED miserably. What is worse is they are still "volunteering" at the WAO. In my opinion, they are just as guilty as the directors for not protecting the animals from harm. Judge for yourself and read the USDA Inspection Reports below:
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