Rare cat recovering well after surgery

An Arabian caracal from Al Ain Zoo is recovering well after successful surgery to treat a mystery illness that was causing severe weight loss. An exploratory laparotomy was conducted to examine the caracal's stomach and digestive system by a team of veterinarians from the zoo assisted by Dr Muzhar Iqbal, an internationally renowned surgeon from the Central Veterinary Hospital in Al Wathba. Small foreign body The diagnostic surgery found the presence of a small foreign body in the small intestine of the animal, which is in decline in the wild, as well as enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes and spleen. Article continues below Commenting on the surgery, Dr Arshad Toosy, manager of Veterinary Operations at the zoo, said: "We are happy to announce that, following this delicate surgery, the caracal is in much better health and is on the path to recovery. "Some tissue biopsy was taken during the surgery and was sent to a laboratory in the UK to understand the under-lying cause of its condition. Best health care "Al Ain Zoo prides itself on having a team of veterinary experts on site as well as strong relationships with local partners and international institutions to ensure that we provide only the best health care for all our animals." Samples of both the enlarged spleen and the mesenteric lymph nodes were taken and sent to a specialist laboratory in the UK for examination. The veterinary team at the zoo is now in the process of designing a treatment plan in line with the tests and findings derived from the UK laboratory, while a team of experts continues to meticulously monitor and care for the recovering animal. Caracal: fiercely territorial Arabian caracals are slender yet muscular cats, characterised by long legs and a short tail. These fiercely territorial wild cats inhabit Western Asia, South Asia and Africa. The Arabian caracal is uncommon in captivity and is part of Al Ain Zoo's conservation work on Arabian and arid land carnivores.