We have done an echocardiography because of the advanced age of the feline, as well as other tests to minimise the risks of the operation.
The ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) will be operated to resolve a chronic limp suffered after an injury on the right front leg, as explained the veterinary expert, Mario Torró.
The need to attend the injury in its limb is due to the impact it can generate in its daily routines. However, nowadays the ocelot can move normally and even climb.
After making the corresponding tests, the team of veterinarians took the decision to operate on the veteran ocelot which life expectancy is 20 years.
The medical team understood that conventional surgery would require several operations and anaesthesia, with a high risk to his life.
Finally, the veterinarians decided to apply a technique that could resolve this injury and improve its quality of life through a single intervention. Suspecting a possible heart problem with a distended abdomen and symptoms of fatigue, it was decided to perform several preparatory tests, and this week an abdominal ultrasound and echocardiography were performed in order to assess various organs.
The results have confirmed that there are no heart problems so the animal can undergo this surgery.
Surgical intervention is expected to take place in the next few days. The technique that will be applied will be an elbow arthrodesis using an osteosynthesis plate, which is applied in humans when other surgical techniques are ineffective.
The postoperative period last a few days after the operation, trusting that the ocelot recovers quickly, according to the prediction of the veterinary team.