Bobcat receives first vet examination at the zoo!

Posted by Carrie McMorris, Animal Care Specialist
Greetings and happy holidays!!!

It has been less than a week, and our bobcat is settling in quite nicely. Wednesday is the day our vets from UC Davis visit the zoo, so the bobcat had his physical exam completed while under anesthesia. This is something all of the animals undergo once a year and it is done in the clinic on zoo grounds. This was an opportunity for our veterinarians to assess the condition of our newest addition.

The top picture gives you an idea of his size.  Here the vets are giving him his examination.

He seems to be a healthy boy. He weighs in at 9.6 kg, which is about 22 pounds!  After a series of radiographs (x-rays), blood work, vaccines, checking of his eyes, ears, and mouth, and me taking a lot of paw prints, he was done. When he woke up from the anesthesia he was all purrs... no worse for the wear.

A radiograph (x-ray) of the bobcat's skull. Cats have fairly large orbitals (for large eyes)
and short maxilla (sinus/snout). This demonstrates how their skulls are set up to
support strong vision. Their sense of smell is not as powerful as a dog's, but still pretty good!

The bobcats hind feet. They have four toes and retractable claws like most cats.
Keeper Carrie loves cat feet and you will be able to purchase some artwork done by
these feet in the near future!

It will take a few days before the results of his blood work come back,  but we are expecting all to be well.
6 days in quarantine done!

Until next time.
~Carrie