veterinary

Ruben enjoys some watermelon

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Dr Caldwell continues to warn we must be patient and Ruben’s recovery could be a slow process after a seizure which left him struggling to walk. He remains positive that Ruben can get back to where he was, it will just take time. Ruben is being fed in his den in his main habitat. He is taking his medication and the ADIWS team are doing everything they can to boost his fluid intake. He has an extra water bowl, electrolytes and glucose are injected into his food, he has ice lollies providing extra fluids and electrolytes, and he is enjoying one of his favorites, watermelon. Ruben remains responsive and engaged and has been leaving his den to defecate and move around small distances. Thank you for all the love being sent in the direction of this warrior as he faces this latest challenge.

To help support Ruben’s care, donate here or order Ruben apparel here.

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Ruben awake after major dental surgery

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Ruben, the lonely lion who was rescued after being left alone in a closed private zoo in Armenia for five years after all the other animals were removed, today had dental surgery at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary, South Africa. Ruben arrived at ADIWS in late August with serious difficulty walking and numerous damaged teeth. He has made significant progress walking and veterinarian Dr Caldwell has been working towards building up Ruben’s health and strength ready for dental surgery.

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Vet day at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary

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Prof Steenkamp and Dr Peter Caldwell were at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary for dental work on several of the lions today and will be back tomorrow. Today Rolex, Simba and Scarc, rescued by ADI from different circuses in Peru, had dental surgery, and tomorrow Ruben will be having dental surgery and Kesari will have a dental examination. Simba, Rolex and Scarc are all back in their habitats and have recovered from their treatment and are moving about.

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Veterinary day for Ruben, Leo and Lupe

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We went live on Facebook from the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary for veterinary day. Dr Peter Caldwell checked up on some of the lions and tigers rescued by ADI from circuses and zoos around the world. First up was Ruben who was rescued from a private zoo in Armenia last year. Ruben arrived with extreme mobility difficulties and Dr Caldwell is overseeing a regime to improve his walking and all round movement. After a thorough examination of Ruben, he was really pleased with his progress. Ruben has been cleared to start using his bigger half-acre habitat. The grass slopes leading up to the viewing platform will be good for Ruben’s muscles. Watch the live of Ruben’s checkup here.

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Jade is home!

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Playful Jade – one of the tigers we rescued from a circus in Guatemala – is back at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary after a short stay at Old Chapel Veterinary Clinic and the first thing she did was rub noses with sister Luna. In hospital, Jade was thoroughly examined, including x-rays, after she was seen limping and Dr Caldwell took the opportunity to examine the problem in this family due to inbreeding and malnutrition. For Jade (and sister Luna), the malformed skull and spine connection pinches the spinal nerve, and shows as a “goose step” walk, whereas in the older females, it has caused seizures. The cause of her limp was a cut on her paw, almost certainly due to overzealous play – her followers will know what a very boisterous and noisy group our Spice Girls are! It was not infected and she is now back to her normal self and is already back out in the main habitat with Luna, Sun and Moon.

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Get well soon Jade

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Our beloved, boisterous, and naughty leader of the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary Spice Girls, Jade, is in hospital. Jade bounced straight into her travel crate, seemed content throughout the journey and is now settled in Old Chapel Veterinary Clinic. Dr Caldwell is checking out the cause of her limp and taking the opportunity to assess her spondylosis – which she, her sister Luna and Ruben all have. This was cause by malnutrition in the circus and causes her to have a goose-stepping walk. We are all hoping the limp is just down to over-zealous play and our very own Tigger will be bouncing around her habitat again soon.

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“Fabulous” – Ruben health update

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“Fabulous” was Dr Peter Caldwell’s reaction to seeing Ruben during our veterinary day at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary yesterday (which many of you watched live on Facebook). Having examined Ruben the day after he arrived from Armenia (and reviewed videos since Ruben’s arrival), Dr Caldwell was pleased with his overall improvement in such a short space of time – can you believe it was 26 days ago he stepped out of his travel crate?

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Send your love for Bumba

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Magnificent Bumba is the last of the great pride of six boys rescued by ADI from a circus in Colombia nine years ago. Over time, his brothers have all passed, often due to cancer. So, when Bumba appeared lethargic this week and had less appetite, we alerted Dr Caldwell immediately, just to be on the safe side. Bumba will be heading to Dr Caldwell’s Old Chapel Veterinary Clinic on Tuesday where he will get a full older lion health examination. We are all really hoping for the best. Please think of Bumba and send him your love. Join us live at the ADIWS on Tuesday 19th, as we go live periodically throughout another Big Veterinary & Dental Day. There will be health checks, dental work, and Bumba will be loaded for hospital.