Okemo Needs Lots of Prayers

Last Thursday evening Vicky (In-Sync Exotics President) noticed Okemo had a swollen jaw on the right side of his face.  His appetite was good and he did not show any behavioral changes. 

Okemo was sedated on February 22, 2012 without any problems. In-Sync Exotics' vet decided that since his sedation went very well, it would be best to conduct his examination at In-Sync Exotics. This would preclude Okemo from being sedated at In-Sync Exotics and then anesthetized at the vet clinic--at 17 years of age, sedating and anesthetizing Okemo can be very risky depending on his health condition.

Once Okemo was sedated, In-Sync Exotics' vet and staff were able to enter his enclosure and prepared him for his examination. His swollen jaw was cleaned and shaved so their vet could see the swollen sac found on the right side of his chin. Since the sac was filled with fluid, the vet lanced the sac allowing the accumulated blood, pus, and bone shavings to drain from his wound. Once the wound stopped draining, the vet thorough cleaned the area and took x-rays of Okemo’s jaw. The vet also drew blood from Okemo and both his blood and culture samples were sent off to be tested for any abnormalities. I am very concerned about Okemo's prognosis because this has all the ear marks of bone cancer.

Okemo's

  

Okemo recovering from sedation
(he was a little sick)



Okemo recovering

Later:
 

X-rays revealed that Okemo probably has bone cancer.  The sac cultures taken and sent for analysis should be ready in about 10 days, which will probably confirm the bone cancer diagnosis.  I'm praying for Okemo.  Either way, bone cancer or bone disease, Okemo may not have a lot of time with us--and it's just not fair to him. 

 

Vicky always wondered why Okemo kept licking his side of his mouth all the time since the day he arrived.  I guess this explains why...  I'm praying for Okemo.  Just one more tiger that left the WAO very sick.  So heartbreaking--and it makes me very, very angry that so many animals lived and died at the WAO without the benefit of proper diet, enrichment, or vet care and its board of directors got off scott-free.  It's just not right at all.

Handsome Okemo

Okemo is such a love bug!