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1 June 2018 ANIMAL TRAINING AND ACUPUNCTURE IN A BENGAL TIGER (PANTHERA TIGRIS TIGRIS) WITH HIND LIMB PARAPARESIS
Yi-Wen Lin, Lih-Chiann Wang
Author Affiliations +
Abstract

An 18-yr-old, captive-born male Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) presented a 1-yr history of chronic and progressive paraparesis in both hind limbs. Lateral and hind limb radiographs were revealed normal except for severe spondylosis deformans, forming a bony bridge between the last lumbar and the first sacral vertebra and disc mineralization between the second and third lumbar vertebra. Medical therapies were instituted, including corticosteroids, hydroacupuncture and electroacupuncture. Animal training allowed veterinarians to perform acupuncture safely without having to anesthetize the animal. Animal training made intensive treatment possible. Neither corticosteroids nor hydroacupuncture alone provided much clinical improvement. The tiger reacted positively after electroacupuncture was performed. The tiger began showing clinical improvement after three electroacupuncture treatments and could eventually walk on all four limbs at the end of the treatment.

Copyright 2018 by American Association of Zoo Veterinarians
Yi-Wen Lin and Lih-Chiann Wang "ANIMAL TRAINING AND ACUPUNCTURE IN A BENGAL TIGER (PANTHERA TIGRIS TIGRIS) WITH HIND LIMB PARAPARESIS," Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine 49(2), 493-496, (1 June 2018). https://doi.org/10.1638/2017-0105.1
Accepted: 17 January 2018; Published: 1 June 2018
KEYWORDS
Animal training
Bengal tiger
electroacupuncture
hind limb paraparesis
Panthera tigris tigris
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