[2022/03/03, 22:08:20] Ben Potgieter: Evening. I would appreciate some input with this serval – possibly a cyst in cerebrum? Can somebody help with treatment / regime? [2022/03/03, 22:23:19] Henry Labuschagne: Looks like aldicarb poisoning. [2022/03/03, 22:38:53] Elmien Kotze: Is this a once-off occurrence or more chronic? Pyrethroid poisoning can also look like that if they used a dog Spot on. What about diet - meat only or pellets? [2022/03/04, 06:41:47] Adrian Tordiffe: This can also be due to severe thiamine deficiency. Servals are definitely very susceptible, especially at a young age on a muscle meat-based diet. it wouldn't hurt to give high dose of B1 for a few days. [2022/03/04, 06:44:23] Ben Potgieter: This started month ago. I am not sure about diet. [2022/03/04, 06:46:54] Henry Labuschagne: I use 5mg Vit Bco with good effect [2022/03/04, 07:24:13] Henry Labuschagne: Ben. If it is going on for more than a month, then poisoning can be ruled out. You will have to get a proper history, do a full clinical exam with radiography and blood tests, urine and faecal analysis. If indicated, do MRI and CSF analysis. If the client does not want to spend money on tests, I would do trial therapy with Vit B1 supplements, Hepavet and phenobarbitone. [2022/03/04, 07:29:51] Andreas Gaugler: What about Essentiale capsules? [2022/03/04, 07:31:42] Henry Labuschagne: This can do no harm. Good suggestion. [2022/03/04, 07:39:39] Annie Mears: What about FIP or FELV/FIV? Have also had young wild cats seeming to develop seizures with toxoplasmosis. [2022/03/04, 07:49:09] Henry Labuschagne: This is not one of those cases where you could make a " kraalmuur diagnose ". [2022/03/04, 07:51:12] Henry Labuschagne: Vetscripts makes a rectal diazepam that works well. I would dispense some to the owner that can be used when the cat has a fit, until a cause is found. [2022/03/15, 16:14:03] Ben Potgieter: Some feedback : the serval with the epilepsy is doing well with the treatment that was given : Hepavet, Dewormer Vit B injections 0.5ml Predef. I need a long-term solution/nutritional supplement if possible? [2022/03/15, 16:26:55] Adrian Tordiffe: Ben, I would need to look at what the background diet is and what food types the owner has available. In general, the Panthera Supplement I supply should work well with most diets and would supply plenty B1 [2022/03/15, 16:50:28] Ben Potgieter: Thanks Adrian. They used Pick ‘n Pay tinned cat food and some dried cat food. I advised them to feed Royal Canine Feline [2022/03/15, 16:51:53] Ben Potgieter: if you could guide on a diet I would appreciate it [2022/03/15, 16:52:28] Ben Potgieter: they will be able to shoot birds for it. [2022/03/15, 17:38:34] Adrian Tordiffe: Interesting Ben. Were they feeding it the tinned cat food before it developed the symptoms? [2022/03/15, 18:40:22] Ben Potgieter:: Jip. [2022/03/15, 18:41:52 Ben Potgieter: 6 months old. It has been fitting for last 3 weeks and getting worse. That stopped after those treatments. [2022/03/15, 19:04:02] Adrian Tordiffe: This fits with my suspicion that young serval and caracals are particularly sensitive to thiamine deficiency. Servals eat most vlei rats in the wild, so the focus in the diet needs to be on small whole prey (doves, rats or young rabbits). They can supplement that with a high quality cat food (either dry or tinned). If shooting doves etc, they must just be careful of lead shot in the carcass. If they cannot access those food items fresh and want to use cheaper items, then they will need to get supplements from me.
