Positive thoughts, prayers, donations needed for Wylie’s exotic cat rescue center
(Wylie) June 17, 2013 – Three months ago, 25 raccoons in Plano were found to have canine distemper, a potentially deadly virus that typically only affects dogs, raccoons and ferrets. Two weeks ago in Arlington, 29 raccoons also tested positive. Cases have also been confirmed in McKinney and now in Wylie.
Sadly, the disease has been confirmed in four big cats at In-Sync Exotics Wildlife Rescue and Education Center in Wylie. Another 18 have also started showing symptoms. This disease is not new to exotic cats and has stricken populations both in the wild and in captivity (see links below).
Historically speaking, it affects only cats in the genus Panthera, which includes lions, tigers, leopards and jaguars. There is no evidence that the smaller cats such as cheetahs, cougars, servals, lynx, bobcats, ocelots, or domestic cats can contract the disease. Viruses, however, do occasionally mutate so In-Sync is watching all cats closely and all of its smaller cats seem to be just fine.
Within the last couple months, In-Sync has witnessed four raccoons on In-Sync property that have displayed strange or symptomatic behavior. None of these raccoons were found in a cat’s enclosure, but direct contact between an infected raccoon and a cat is not necessary. For example, a raccoon could climb up a nearby tree onto the roof of an enclosure. Once there it may well have urinated or defecated into the enclosure where the cat was intrigued by the smell and went to explore it. Contact between the cat and urine could readily explain the transmission of the disease.
All of In-Sync’s cats routinely receive complete rounds of all vaccinations suggested by exotic cat experts, accrediting agencies, and their veterinarian. This includes vaccinations against feline distemper (also feline parvo). Their cats were never vaccinated against canine distemper because they were advised against doing so; the vaccination carries dangers of its own, and the risk of them contracting the disease has always been very slight. When In-Sync’s first cats started showing symptoms, they immediately vaccinated the others. Since then, some of the vaccinated cats have begun to show symptoms. It is unclear whether this is a result of the vaccine or the disease itself. There are ten big cats that remain asymptomatic.
Because it is a virus, they cannot treat the illness directly. What In-Sync is doing, however, is giving all big cats antibiotics to ward off any secondary infections and multiple vitamins/supplements to support their immune, nervous, and digestive symptoms. The hope is that this will help their bodies fight the virus.
“Please understand that it is too early for us to have a prognosis at this point. In-Sync is doing everything we can to help our cats and are praying they all pull out of this,” In-Sync representatives said.
For anyone wishing to help, please consider donating money, gift cards (Wal Mart, Kroger, etc.) or supplies. Needed supplies include: bleach, bleach wipes, hand sanitizer, hand soap, and paper towels.
“We could also use your positive thoughts and prayers,” they said.
Links of interest:
http://www.natureworldnews.com/articles/2382/20130611/tiger-populations-threatened-dog-disease.htm
In-Sync Exotics Wildlife Rescue and Educational Center, located at 3430 Skyview Dr in Wylie, is dedicated to the rescue and care of abused, neglected, or unwanted exotic cats. There are now 61 exotic cats calling In-Sync home. This includes three exceptionally rare white lions, a golden tabby tiger, three white tigers and two cheetahs.
For more information about the sanctuary, visit insyncexotics.com.
Submitted by Lisa Williams, In-Sync Exotics.
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