Spotlight on Vet Medicine
July 23, 2004
Mending a Fishing Cat Fracture
National Zoo veterinarians repaired a fishing cat's fractured humerus.
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| A fishing cat stalking fish. |
The National Zoo exhibits two fishing cats, a male named Izaak and a female named Mandalay. Slightly larger than domestic cats, fishing cats (Prionailurus viverrinus) inhabit densely vegetated areas of southwest India, countries of the southern Himalayas, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Thailand, Myanmar (Burma), southern China, and the Indonesian islands of Java and Sumatra. They prefer to live near water, along marshes, mangroves, rivers, and streams. As their name implies, these cats catch and eat fish, but also dine on birds, small mammals, snails, snakes, and the occasional domestic chicken, dog, or calf.
A Lame Cat
Izaak and Mandalay had been introduced to each other in hopes that they would breed—but plans for breeding had to be put temporarily on hold when Izaak had an accident, possibly a fall. Animal keepers noticed that Izaak was lame on his right front leg. Staff brought him to the Zoo’s Department of Animal Health so veterinarians could find out what was wrong with his leg.
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| Radiograph showing the fractured humerus. |
Diagnosis
Zoo vets anesthetized him for a full medical work up and to take radiographs. A radiograph clearly showed that Izaak had a fractured humerus—the long bone between the shoulder and the elbow—in two places.
Treatment
Zoo veterinarians, with the help of a veterinary surgeon, inserted metal pins into the bone to stabilize the fractured leg.
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| The surgeon stabilized the fractured leg. |
The fishing cat did have to remain quiet for the first few weeks following surgery, and his keepers had to restrict his exercise and movement to promote complete healing of the fractures. He also received oral antibiotics in his food to protect him from infection around the pins in the humerus.
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| A radiograph taken after four weeks showed that the fractures were healing. |
Vets re-evaluated Izaak four-weeks later and vets took follow-up radiographs. The fractures were healing well, and eight weeks after the injury, the pins were removed.
Prognosis
This fishing cat’s prognosis is excellent. His fractured bone healed nicely, and he will have full use of the leg.
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| The bone is healed after eight weeks. |
His fantastic recovery was due in large part to early action by his keepers, and a sound fracture repair by the veterinary staff and consulting surgeon. Come see Izaak on exhibit in Forest Carnivores, and look for him in the future on the new Asia Trail. And watch for news about the potential for hearing the pitter-patter of tiny fishing cat feet.
Zoo Science Related to Fishing Cats
Urban Fishing Cat Conservation in Sri Lanka
Note to Media: If you would like more information about this project, or any of the Zoo's animal health programs, please contact the Zoo's Office of Public Affairs.
